Choosing a school in France can feel like one of the most stressful parts of moving with kids. Online resources rarely reveal what daily life is really like, and families have different priorities. This guide focuses on practical questions and a straightforward decision framework — especially for families planning a move to Paris.
First: Define What “Good” Means for Your Family
Before evaluating options, establish your non-negotiables. Many missteps happen because families compare everything at once without a clear priority list.
- Commute: the amount of time spent driving each day matters more than you realize.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local choices.
- Language environment: what your child is exposed to throughout the day.
- Support: learning assistance, ESL support, pastoral care.
- Culture fit: level of structure, discipline, and communication style.
How to Choose Without Getting Overwhelmed
A pragmatic method that suits expat families well:
A simple process
- Shortlist by location first. In Paris, traffic can transform a decent school into a daily ordeal.
- Confirm availability and admissions timeline. Waiting lists are common.
- Ask about the classroom reality. Class sizes, teacher turnover, communication style.
- Ask about support. ESL / learning support / transition support for new students.
- Do one visit (or virtual tour) per finalist. Trust your own observations more than glossy brochures.
Pro tip: Create a one-page checklist and rate each school after visiting. It helps avoid the sense that everything is the same.
Questions Worth Asking Schools
These questions tend to uncover more than generic “tell us about your program” discussions:
- What is the usual class size for this age group?
- How do you handle new students mid-year?
- How do teachers communicate with families (weekly updates, apps, email)?
- What does a typical day look like (start and end times, breaks, homework expectations)?
- How do you support children who feel anxious or are adjusting to a new country?
- What is your policy on language support (ESL) if required?
- How do you manage heat with indoor/outdoor time during hotter months?
Costs & Logistics (The Unloved Part)
Choosing a school isn't about tuition alone; consider the full routine cost:
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- Choosing by reputation alone: the daily routine matters more.
- Ignoring commute time: it affects sleep, mood, and family life.
- Assuming “international” means the same everywhere: it doesn’t.
- Not asking about support: transitions are real for kids.
- Waiting too long: admissions timelines can be tighter than expected.
The Bottom Line
The best school usually fits your family’s actual routine: location, support, and everyday comfort for your child — not the one with the most flashy advertising.
If you’d like help weighing priorities for Paris (commute, routines, questions to ask), get in touch — or call +33 6 12 34 56 78.