International school admissions in Paris in 2026 require an early start, careful documentation and an honest conversation about which language environment fits your child. Paris and the wider Ile-de-France region host one of Europe's deepest concentrations of international and bilingual schools: full IB World Schools, British curriculum schools, American schools and many bilingual French-English programmes that sit somewhere between the two. This step-by-step guide walks expat families through how the admissions process actually works in Paris in 2026.
Step 1: Decide on the language model
The admissions path depends heavily on the curriculum:
- Fully English-medium IB: International School of Paris, Marymount, Bilingual International School of Paris. Best for families likely to leave France within 2 to 4 years.
- British curriculum (IGCSE + A Level): The British School of Paris, ICS Paris, Lycee International (British Section). Best for UK university plans.
- American (US Diploma + AP): American School of Paris in Saint-Cloud.
- Bilingual French-English: Ecole Jeannine Manuel, EIB (Ecole Internationale Bilingue), Lennen Bilingual School. Best for families integrating into France long term.
Bilingual schools follow the French national curriculum with heavy English content. Pure international schools follow IB or British paths with French as a second language.
Step 2: Gather your documents
Every Paris international school will ask for a similar packet:
- Child's passport and any French residency document (titre de sejour) or visa.
- Parents' passports and proof of address in France (or proof of relocation timing).
- Two to three years of school reports, translated into French or English if needed.
- Recommendation letters from current head teacher and one academic teacher (especially for secondary entry).
- Vaccination record consistent with French requirements (DTP, MMR, hepatitis B and others, depending on age).
- Recent photographs.
- For bilingual schools: a French level assessment (often done by the school).
Step 3: Apply to a shortlist of 4 to 6 schools
Paris admissions are highly competitive at the top schools. Recommended shortlist:
International School of Paris
Full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) in the 16th arrondissement. View school profile.
American School of Paris
American curriculum with IB Diploma option in Saint-Cloud. Strong sport and arts. View school profile.
The British School of Paris
English National Curriculum and A Levels in Croissy-sur-Seine. View school profile.
Ecole Jeannine Manuel
French-English bilingual school. Selective admissions. View school profile.
Marymount International School Paris
Catholic IB primary and middle school in Neuilly. View school profile.
ICS Paris
British curriculum and IB Diploma in the 15th arrondissement. View school profile.
Step 4: Pass the entrance assessment
Most Paris international schools assess applicants before issuing offers. Common formats:
- Maternelle / Reception: classroom observation with a teacher.
- Primary: short cognitive assessment (CAT4 or similar) plus a reading/writing sample.
- Secondary: standardized cognitive tests, English writing sample, sometimes a maths paper, and an interview with parents.
- Bilingual schools: a French level test on top of everything else.
Assessments are usually done online if the family is still abroad. Allow two weeks between submitting the application and sitting the assessment.
Step 5: Receive offers and confirm enrolment
Most schools issue offers in waves from December through March for September entry. Common offer terms:
- An offer is contingent on returning a signed enrolment contract and paying a deposit within 2 to 4 weeks.
- Deposit is typically EUR 2,500 to EUR 6,000 and is non-refundable.
- Annual tuition for 2026 ranges from EUR 18,000 (smaller bilingual schools) to EUR 32,000 (top-tier American and British). Bilingual French schools at the lower end of the range.
- Top schools require a one-off entrance fee on top of tuition (EUR 4,000 to EUR 9,000).
Some employers' education allowances do not stretch to the full fees at the top tier; negotiate this before accepting the assignment.
Step 6: Plan housing around the school
Paris's RER and metro system is dense but school buses do not all cover the whole region. If your child attends ASP (Saint-Cloud) or BSP (Croissy), live west of the Seine. If your child attends ISP or Marymount, stay in the western arrondissements (16e, Neuilly, Boulogne-Billancourt). Avoid signing a long lease before the school offer is confirmed.
Use our France international school ranking to verify each school's profile before committing.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply for September 2026 entry in Paris?
For the top schools, applications are usually due by January 2026 with offers in March and April. Many schools accept rolling applications after that subject to availability.
Do my children need to speak French to attend international schools in Paris?
Not at the fully English-medium schools (ISP, ASP, BSP). At bilingual schools (Jeannine Manuel, EIB) some French is expected from the first year unless joining at maternelle level.
Are international schools in Paris subsidised by the French state?
The fully private international schools (ISP, ASP, BSP, ICS, Marymount) are not subsidised. Bilingual schools under contract with the state (sous contrat) receive partial subsidies and charge significantly lower fees.