Choosing a school in France can feel like the most daunting part of moving with children. Online resources often don’t show what everyday life is actually like, and each family’s priorities vary. This guide focuses on practical questions and a straightforward decision process — particularly for families relocating to Paris.
First: Define What “Good” Means for Your Family
Before evaluating options, establish your absolute must-haves. Common missteps come from weighing too many factors at once without a clearly ranked set of priorities.
- Commute: the length of your daily drive often matters more than you realize.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local programs.
- Language environment: the language setting your child is exposed to throughout the day.
- Support: learning support, ESL assistance, and well-being/pastoral care.
- Culture fit: the school's structure, level of discipline, and mode of communication.
How to Pick Without Feeling Overwhelmed
A practical method that suits expat families well:
A simple process
- Shortlist by location first. In Paris, traffic can turn a “good” school into a daily struggle.
- 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 observations more than glossy brochures.
Pro tip: Make a one-page checklist and score each school after a visit. It prevents the “everything feels the same” problem.
Questions Worth Asking Schools
These questions tend to uncover more than generic “tell us about your program” discussions:
- What is the typical class size for this age group?
- How do you handle new students mid-year?
- How do teachers communicate with parents (weekly updates, apps, email)?
- What does a typical day look like (start and end times, breaks, homework expectations)?
- How do you support kids who are anxious or adjusting to a new country?
- What is the policy for language support (ESL) if needed?
- How do you manage heat and indoor/outdoor time during hotter months?
Costs and Logistics (The Part Nobody Loves)
School decisions aren’t only about tuition. Consider the full daily 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 ideal school is typically the one that matches your family's actual schedule: where it's located, the backing you receive, and everyday ease for your child—not the school with the most extravagant advertising.
If you'd like assistance sorting priorities for Paris (commute, routines, questions to ask), get in touch — or call +33 6 12 34 56 78.