Not every family relocating to Brussels is looking for a fee paying international campus, and some choose to settle their children into the local system. Among the local options visible to parents comparing schools in Brussels, Lycée Émile Jacqmain is a long established City of Brussels public secondary school. It is worth being clear from the outset: this is a Belgian francophone state lycée rather than an international school, teaching in French to the national curriculum, so it suits Francophone families and those committing to the local system. This profile sets out what GlobalSchoolGuide Editorial has verified about its curriculum, costs and admissions.
We are independent and no school pays to be listed, so this is a reference for relocating parents rather than promotion. Where a fact could not be confirmed, we mark it as not published.
At a glance
Curriculum and academics
Lycée Émile Jacqmain follows the Belgian francophone secondary curriculum and prepares its students for the Certificat d'enseignement secondaire supérieur, the CESS, which is the standard route into Belgian higher education. The school has a reputation for rigorous, demanding preparation for university alongside a broader humanist education, and it teaches a wide range of languages, including Dutch, English, Spanish, Latin and Greek. Families who want a child to build serious language skills while settling into the local system can weigh how that compares with a dedicated bilingual education at one of the city's international schools.
Because it is a state lycée, the teaching language and the qualification are firmly Belgian, which is the right fit for a family putting down roots rather than one expecting to move on in a year or two and needing an internationally portable programme. For the full range of options in the capital, including the fee paying international campuses, see our guide to the best international schools in Brussels.
Local system or international school?
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Lycée Émile Jacqmain fees
As a City of Brussels public secondary school in the official education network, Lycée Émile Jacqmain follows the Belgian state model, which is free or close to free for residents. Our Brussels school fees guide places the state system in the most affordable tier, well below the European Schools and the premium independents, so a family on the local route avoids tuition altogether. What remains are the ordinary costs of schooling rather than fees as the international sector understands them.
- Tuition: none for residents in the state system
- Materials: books, stationery and equipment for the year
- Activities: trips, outings and optional activities
- Extras: lunches and, where used, transport
Admissions
Admission to a City of Brussels secondary school runs through the Belgian francophone enrolment process rather than a private admissions office, and places are organised by the official system for the September start of the school year. Families settling in Brussels register through the relevant procedures, and the local commune and the school can guide newcomers on documents, year placement and the steps involved.
Because the Belgian enrolment rules and timelines change from year to year, confirm the current process and deadlines directly with the school and the City of Brussels before you commit, especially if you are arriving mid year or from another country's system.
Location and who goes there
The lycée sits near Leopold Park on the eastern side of central Brussels, close to the European quarter, which makes it reachable by public transport for families across the centre and the inner communes. The setting beside the park gives it green space unusual for a school so close to the institutional heart of the city.
The community is mainly local Francophone families, including some international households who have chosen to put their children through the Belgian system rather than the fee paying international sector. For families still weighing that choice, the Brussels city guide sets out the full landscape of districts, curricula and fees across the capital.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for Lycée Émile Jacqmain. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish reviews only once we can confirm they come from real families. If your child attends or has attended the lycée, we would value your first hand account. Share your experience through the school reviews hub and help the next relocating family decide with better evidence.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Lycée Émile Jacqmain fees?
As a City of Brussels public secondary school in the official education network, Lycée Émile Jacqmain follows the Belgian state model, which is free or close to free for residents, the most affordable tier in our Brussels fees guide. Families budget for the usual school costs such as materials, lunches and trips rather than tuition.
Is Lycée Émile Jacqmain an international school?
No. Lycée Émile Jacqmain is a Belgian francophone public secondary school of the City of Brussels rather than an international school. It teaches in French to the national curriculum, though it offers a range of languages, so it suits Francophone and settling families more than those who need an English medium international programme.
What curriculum does Lycée Émile Jacqmain follow?
The school follows the Belgian francophone secondary curriculum and prepares students for the Certificat d'enseignement secondaire supérieur, the CESS, which leads to Belgian higher education. It teaches several languages including Dutch, English, Spanish, Latin and Greek.
When was Lycée Émile Jacqmain founded?
The lycée was founded in 1922 by Émile Jacqmain, then the alderman for public education in Brussels, and originally opened as an athenaeum for girls before becoming the co educational secondary school it is today.
Where is Lycée Émile Jacqmain located?
The lycée sits near Leopold Park on the eastern side of central Brussels, close to the European quarter, which makes it reachable for families living in and around the centre of the city.
