The Paris school context
Paris's international school market has three distinct layers. First, dedicated English-medium international schools (ISP, ASP, EaB campuses, Marymount). Second, French bilingual schools (Lycée International, Lycée Henri-IV, Sections Internationales). Third, the British-curriculum schools (BSP, ICS Paris). Each suits different family profiles and trade-offs.
The 2026 top 10
International School of Paris (ISP)
The premier IB-only school in Paris. PYP through DP. Strong academic outcomes, balanced cohort. Central 16e location. The default for IB-bound families wanting a central Paris campus.
The American School of Paris (ASP)
The premier American-curriculum school in France. AP and IB Diploma pathways. Strong US Ivy and top liberal-arts pipeline. Saint-Cloud campus with substantial grounds, school-bus catchment across Paris and western suburbs.
Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
The single best academic option in Paris in our view. State-funded French lycée with international sections (English, German, Spanish, Italian, others). Outstanding outcomes at minimal cost. Highly competitive admissions; non-French-speaking children must enter via the international section pathway.
Ecole Active Bilingue Jeannine Manuel (EaB)
One of Paris's strongest bilingual schools. Both French Baccalauréat and IB Diploma streams. Multiple campuses across Paris. Excellent for families wanting genuine bilingual French-English outcomes alongside strong academic record.
Marymount International School Paris
Catholic American school with IB Diploma at sixth form. Strong faculty stability, balanced cohort. Neuilly location with strong housing catchment. Particularly good fit for families wanting smaller cohort than ASP.
British School of Paris (BSP)
The strongest British-curriculum school in Paris. Strong A-Level outcomes, UK university pipeline. Western suburbs location with school-bus catchment.
International Bilingual School Paris La Défense
Bilingual school near La Défense business district. French Baccalauréat and IB Diploma streams. Good fit for families with La Défense corporate postings.
ICS Paris (International Concept for Education)
Smaller IB-only school in central Paris. Strong faculty quality, modern pedagogy. Boutique cohort. Particularly good for families wanting smaller scale than ISP.
Bilingual Montessori School of Paris
The strongest bilingual Montessori provision in Paris. AMI-accredited. Strong primary years. Good fit for families committed to Montessori pedagogy alongside bilingualism.
EIB Monceau (Ecole Internationale Bilingue)
Bilingual French-English school with British IGCSE option. Central Paris location. Multiple campuses across Paris under the EIB family. Solid academic outcomes at value-tier fees.
What didn't make the top 10
Hattemer Bilingue, OneSchool Global, several state-funded sections internationales (Buc, Sèvres, Versailles), Lennen Bilingual School. The state-funded options are particularly strong for families willing to navigate the French admissions cycle.
Fees and the bilingual alternative
Paris fees range widely depending on tier. Dedicated international schools (ISP, ASP, Marymount, BSP) cost EUR 22K to 38K tuition. Bilingual schools (EaB, EIB, Bilingual Montessori) cost EUR 12K to 19K. Public Lycée International costs near zero (registration fees only). The maths can swing dramatically based on family willingness to integrate into the French system.
Neighbourhoods
- 16e arrondissement: ISP. Premium, central, expat-heavy.
- Neuilly-sur-Seine: Marymount, EaB campuses. Premium western suburb, expat hub.
- Saint-Cloud / Saint-Germain-en-Laye: ASP, Lycée International. Family-friendly western suburbs.
- Courbevoie / La Défense corridor: IBS La Défense. Business district adjacent.
- 15e / 17e arrondissements: ICS Paris, EIB Monceau, Bilingual Montessori. Central Paris with strong public transport.
Free download
Our Paris family handbook covers section internationales admissions, French bilingual options and the 16e/Neuilly catchment guide. Part of our city handbook collection.