IB provision in Paris
The IB in Paris is a sixth-form story more than a whole-school one. Greater Paris hosts around 12 IB World Schools, with the Diploma cluster sitting at roughly seven schools. The PYP and MYP cohort is smaller than equivalents in Geneva, Brussels or Frankfurt because the dominant model for primary international education in Paris pairs the French national curriculum with English in a bilingual structure, rather than the IB continuum. Families who want the full PYP through to Diploma typically choose the International School of Paris or Ecole Jeannine Manuel, both of which offer the continuum from age 3 to 18.
Most of the Paris IB market sits in the 16th, 17th and 8th arrondissements, plus the affluent western suburbs of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Saint-Cloud, Le Vesinet and Versailles. The Yvelines cluster around Saint-Germain-en-Laye is anchored by the Lycee International, a unique state-funded school running national sections in 14 languages and offering the Diploma alongside the French baccalaureate. The diversity of pathways means Paris IB families face genuinely different cost and curriculum trade-offs than IB families in Dubai, Singapore or Hong Kong.
French Ministry of Education recognition is automatic for IB World Schools and the Diploma is accepted on Parcoursup, the French university application system, on a par with the French baccalaureate for general university entry. Highly selective French programmes (Sciences Po, classes preparatoires) typically require bilingual proficiency alongside a Diploma score of 35 or higher.
Fees and what they cover
Paris IB school fees split into three rough tiers. The value tier, EUR 6,000 to EUR 12,000 per year, is the Lycee International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye and a small number of state-affiliated bilingual sections, where enrolment is means-tested and competitive. The mid tier, EUR 16,000 to EUR 24,000, covers EIB Monceau, EIB Etoile, EIB Lamartine and Ecole Jeannine Manuel at primary level. The premium tier, EUR 26,000 to EUR 35,000, is the International School of Paris and Ecole Jeannine Manuel sixth form.
Diploma years push 10 to 15 percent above Year 11. IB exam fees of EUR 600 to EUR 900 apply at the end of Year 13. Lunch, transport and the school's contribution to CAS or extended essay support are usually separate. For a fuller look at Paris fees across all curricula see our Paris fees guide.
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Illustrative example schools
The four schools below illustrate the IB landscape in Paris. They are not ranked.
International School of Paris in the 16th arrondissement is a small all-through IB World School running PYP, MYP and the Diploma. English-medium, with French as the working second language. Diploma averages in recent years have sat between 36 and 38 points.
Ecole Jeannine Manuel in the 15th arrondissement combines a bilingual French and English programme with the IB Diploma in the senior years. The Diploma cohort is selective and outcomes are strong, with several Sciences Po, Oxbridge and Ivy League placements each year.
Lycee International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye in Yvelines is the state-funded option, with 14 international sections delivering the Diploma alongside the French Option Internationale du Baccalaureat. Entry is by sectional assessment and is genuinely competitive.
EIB Monceau in the 8th delivers a bilingual primary leading into senior options that include the Diploma at the upper school. Several Paris arrondissement parents combine EIB primary with International School of Paris or Ecole Jeannine Manuel at sixth form.
Where Diploma families live
IB Diploma families in Paris cluster around four zones. The 16th and 17th arrondissements for proximity to the International School of Paris, EIB Etoile and the established bilingual sector. The 7th and 8th arrondissements for the family corridor close to the British embassy, EIB Monceau and Ecole Jeannine Manuel. Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Le Vesinet and Marly-le-Roi in Yvelines for the Lycee International catchment. Neuilly-sur-Seine, Levallois and Boulogne-Billancourt for families combining Paris work and the western suburbs commute.
Commute matters more than in many international cities because Diploma students often travel independently by metro and RER. Saint-Germain-en-Laye to the centre by RER A is 25 minutes; Neuilly to the 16th is 15 minutes by metro. Compare against your sixth-former's expected daily journey before signing a lease.
Admissions calendar
Paris IB admissions calendars are stricter than the rolling intake common in Asia and the Middle East. Diploma entry for September 2026 closes at most of the private IB schools between January and March 2026, with assessment in February and offers in March or April. The Lycee International runs a separate sectional assessment from October to January depending on the language section. In-year transfers into Year 11 or Year 12 are possible at the private schools but rare, because Diploma subject choices have to lock by spring of Year 11.
University outcomes from Paris IB
University destinations from Paris IB schools split roughly into thirds. About a third go to UK universities, with Oxbridge, UCL, King's, Imperial and the LSE dominating from the International School of Paris and Ecole Jeannine Manuel. About a third go to French selective programmes, with Sciences Po, HEC and the engineering grandes ecoles routes well-trodden. The remaining third splits between the US (with Ivies and Stanford represented annually), Canada (McGill, Toronto) and the Netherlands (Amsterdam, Erasmus). Comparing IB schools head-to-head is easier with our comparison tool.
Frequently asked questions
How many IB schools are there in Paris?
Greater Paris has around 12 schools authorised to deliver one or more IB programmes, of which roughly 7 run the full Diploma. The PYP and MYP cluster is smaller than in cities such as Geneva or Brussels because most international Paris primaries pair the French national curriculum with English, leaving the IB to senior school.
How much do IB schools cost in Paris?
Annual IB school fees in Paris run from about EUR 16,000 at the bilingual sector schools to EUR 35,000 at the International School of Paris and Ecole Jeannine Manuel sixth form. Diploma years tend to add 10 to 15 percent over Year 11. Exam fees of EUR 600 to EUR 900 apply at the end of the Diploma.
Which Paris IB school is the strongest?
The International School of Paris and Ecole Jeannine Manuel consistently sit at the top of Diploma outcomes in the city, with average scores between 36 and 39 points in recent years. Lycee International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye is the only state-funded IB school in the region and offers exceptional value but uses lottery and assessment for entry.
Can my child join the IB Diploma in Year 12?
Most Paris IB schools accept Year 12 entry but require strong prior academic record and confirmed subject choices at offer stage. The challenge is matching IGCSE or French Brevet subject mix to the IB six-subject framework. Apply by January for a September start.
Does the IB Diploma work for French universities?
Yes. The IB Diploma is recognised by French universities and by the Parcoursup admissions system. Students applying to French selective programmes (Sciences Po, prepa) generally need bilingual proficiency and a strong Diploma score, typically 35 plus. The Diploma is also strong for UK, US, Canadian and Dutch destinations.
