Q & A

Subject: Schools in France.

Question: I am an American who will be moving to France with my boyfriend and my 9-year old daughter. I wanted to find out what the schooling options were for my daughter. Can you tell me what options I will have for my daughter. Are there American/French schools? Thank you.

Answer: Thanks for your question, in France there are international public schools, I think mostly in big cities. They are schools that are set up for students that are not French, or from mixed parents and teach in a mix of French and other languages. There is one here in Strasbourg that teaches half in French and then depending on the students, in one of five other languages.
I have heard that international public schools can be hard to get into, they are very popular, but non-French speakers have favor. There are of course private schools that are set up for Americans and other non-French.
In France all education is free and is the right of every child no matter their legal status. There are a few differences between French and American schools. French schools take Wednesdays off and make up for it by having a half day on Saturday. French children can start school as early as three, if they are potty trained. Lastly, French schools are more regimented than American schools and standardize testing is a fundamental part of French education.

REAL FRENCH LIFE - Ebook about French schools.