The secondary landscape in Paris
The Paris international secondary market is one of the most curriculum-diverse in Europe. Within a half-hour radius of the boulevard peripherique a sixth-former can choose between the IB Diploma, A Levels, the American High School Diploma plus AP and the bilingual Bac with international section. Around 20 schools deliver a recognisable international secondary, of which roughly seven run the IB Diploma. The decision is rarely about which curriculum is academically strongest in the abstract; all four are widely accepted at selective universities. It is about which curriculum matches the child, the family's next likely move and the target university countries.
The four dominant secondary tracks in Paris each have an anchor school. The IB anchor is the International School of Paris in the 16th, with Ecole Jeannine Manuel adding the Diploma alongside the French Bac at the senior end. The A Level anchor is the British School of Paris in Croissy-sur-Seine, with several smaller British curriculum schools in the city centre. The American Diploma plus AP anchor is the American School of Paris in Saint-Cloud, with Marymount International School Paris adding an option in Neuilly. The bilingual Bac with international section anchor is the Lycee International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, with state funding and 14 language sections. Several private contracted bilingual lycees offer a parallel route.
For families relocating into Year 9 or Year 10, the most important variable is curriculum continuity from the previous school. A child arriving from London with IGCSEs already started should aim for the British School of Paris. A child arriving from New York mid-AP should consider the American School of Paris. A child wanting the broadest exit profile should compare the IB Diploma at the International School of Paris or Jeannine Manuel against the bilingual Bac at the Lycee International.
Fees and what they cover
Secondary fees in Paris span EUR 16,000 to EUR 38,000 a year. The bilingual independents at college level (Years 7 to 9 equivalent) sit at EUR 16,000 to EUR 22,000. Their lycee years rise to EUR 22,000 to EUR 30,000. The full international secondaries: International School of Paris EUR 28,000 to EUR 35,000, British School of Paris EUR 26,000 to EUR 33,000, American School of Paris EUR 30,000 to EUR 38,000, Marymount EUR 28,000 to EUR 34,000. The Lycee International is EUR 6,000 to EUR 12,000 depending on the section. IB exam fees of EUR 600 to EUR 900 apply at the end of Year 13. See our Paris fees guide for verified comparisons.
IB, A Level or AP for sixth form?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist three Paris secondaries based on your child's curriculum profile, target universities and home area.
Illustrative example schools
The five schools below illustrate the secondary landscape in Paris. They are not ranked.
International School of Paris in the 16th arrondissement is the dedicated IB continuum school in central Paris, with MYP through to the Diploma in a small selective cohort.
British School of Paris senior school in Croissy-sur-Seine delivers IGCSE and A Levels in a campus setting with extensive co-curricular and onward routes to Oxbridge and Russell Group.
American School of Paris in Saint-Cloud delivers Middle School and High School Diploma plus AP, with strong placement to US universities and a co-curricular programme on a 12-acre campus.
Ecole Active Bilingue Jeannine Manuel college and lycee in the 15th arrondissement layers the IB Diploma onto the French Bac in the senior years, with selective entry and consistently strong outcomes.
Lycee International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye in Yvelines is the state-funded option, with 14 international sections delivering the Bac Francais International and exceptional value for those who pass the sectional assessment.
Where secondary families live
Secondary families in Paris cluster along four corridors. The 16th and 17th arrondissements for the International School of Paris, EIB Etoile and a short metro to Marymount. The 7th and 8th arrondissements for the diplomatic and corporate families using EIB Monceau and the lycees centraux. Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Le Vesinet, Maisons-Laffitte and Marly-le-Roi in Yvelines for the Lycee International catchment. Saint-Cloud, Marnes-la-Coquette, Vaucresson and Croissy-sur-Seine for the American School of Paris and British School of Paris bus networks. Sixth-formers often commute independently by metro or RER, which makes the commute envelope materially larger than at primary stage.
Admissions calendar
Paris secondary admissions calendars are tight. Most international secondaries close registration files for Year 7 between December and February of the prior year, with assessment in February and March and offers in April. Year 12 IB Diploma entry closes between January and March, with priority for in-network candidates. The Lycee International runs sectional assessment from October to January depending on the language section. Mid-year entry into Year 11 is possible at some schools but rare into Year 12 because Diploma and A Level subject choices lock by spring of Year 11.
University outcomes
University destinations from Paris international secondaries split roughly into thirds, with notable variation by school. UK universities (Oxbridge, UCL, King's, Imperial, LSE, Edinburgh) take a strong share from the British School of Paris, International School of Paris and Jeannine Manuel. French selective programmes (Sciences Po, Dauphine, HEC and the engineering Grandes Ecoles) absorb a significant cohort from the bilingual lycees and the Lycee International. US universities take regular cohorts from the American School of Paris, Marymount, the International School of Paris and Jeannine Manuel, with Ivies and Stanford represented annually. Canadian (McGill, Toronto, UBC) and Dutch (Maastricht, Amsterdam, Erasmus) destinations round out the spread. Compare schools side by side with our comparison tool or read our editorial round-up.
Frequently asked questions
How many international secondary schools are there in Paris?
Greater Paris has around 20 schools delivering a recognisable international secondary programme through to the IB Diploma, A Levels, the American High School Diploma plus AP, or the bilingual French Bac with international section. About 7 run the IB Diploma.
How much does secondary school cost in Paris?
International secondary fees in Paris run from EUR 16,000 a year at bilingual colleges to EUR 38,000 at the senior years of the British, American and International School of Paris. Sixth form and IB Diploma years sit at the top of the range. Most family budgets land between EUR 22,000 and EUR 30,000.
When does secondary school start in Paris?
French college starts at age 11 and runs four years to age 15 (sixieme, cinquieme, quatrieme, troisieme). Lycee then runs three years to the Bac at age 18 (seconde, premiere, terminale). International schools usually align with Year 7 and Year 12 entry in September each year.
Which curriculum is best for university?
All four routes available in Paris (IB Diploma, A Levels, American Diploma plus AP, French Bac plus international section) are widely accepted by selective UK, US and EU universities. The right choice depends on the child's strengths, target universities and likely next country of residence.
Can my child join in Year 12?
Yes at most international Paris secondaries, but subject choices have to lock by spring of Year 11. The Diploma six-subject framework, the A Level three or four subject load and the AP profile each constrain late changes. Apply by January for a September start.
