Paris · School search
Compare an American school in Saint-Cloud, bilingual Jeannine Manuel in Paris and the public international sections at Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Qualification and language decide the shortlist.
The three schools here answer different needs: American continuity in English, bilingual French-English schooling, or a French public education with an international section. They are also in different parts of the Paris area.
American School of Paris, in Saint-Cloud, is an English-medium day school. It explicitly says it is not bilingual. Graduates earn an American high-school diploma; they can also pursue Advanced Placement (AP) courses or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.
ASP is the stronger starting point when American continuity matters more than French-medium study. French is a subject, with frequency varying by age. From Grade 4, English entry requirements tighten, so ask about assessment and any additional language-support fee.
École Jeannine Manuel has Paris day-school sites in the 15th arrondissement. It is bilingual and sous contrat: contracted to the French state, not a wholly independent English-medium school. The French route leads to the Baccalauréat Français International (BFI); an IB route also exists.
The BFI is an internationally oriented French baccalauréat, not the IB Diploma. Ask which pathway and fee schedule apply, and whether the school’s Adaptation programme can support a new entrant at that age. Jeannine Manuel’s boarding is in Lille, not Paris.
Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a public school complex with fourteen international sections. Pupils combine French national education with their section language and work towards the BFI. Begin with the relevant section’s admissions procedure rather than a generic international-school application.
State tuition does not mean that every section costs nothing. Ask about any association charge, language assessment and support for pupils new to French.
Saint-Cloud, the 15th and Saint-Germain-en-Laye are separate housing and commuting decisions. Check the campus used by the child, bus stops, pickup time and a backup route. Do not use a weekend journey as the school-day estimate.
The shortlist is not exhaustive. A local public school, a state-contracted private school or another public international section may better support a long stay in France. Use the Paris hub for locations and the France guide for the different school categories.
Friendly orientation, not formal admissions advice. Always confirm dates with the school.
ASP is a co-educational international day school for ages 3–18 on one Saint-Cloud campus. Teaching is mainly in English. Every graduate meets American High School Diploma requirements, while Upper School pupils can add IB or AP courses.
Paris 15thA French–English bilingual school across three Paris sites, with separate BFI, IB and Adaptation fee schedules. Paris starts at age four and has no boarding; Lille is a separate option. Applications for 2027–28 open on 22 September 2026.
Saint-Germain-en-LayeThis public French school network combines the national curriculum with one of fourteen international sections. Admission starts with the chosen section, whose language standard, calendar and charges may differ from those of every other section.
LyonCSI Lyon is a selective public day school for pupils who already command a section language. The French curriculum is free, but the Anglophone association charges separate application and annual fees.
Start with the qualification your child would actually receive. Then check its subjects, language demands, and recognition in the countries where they may study next.
7 minStart with your child and the family's likely plans. Define the non-negotiables, verify the school's claims, compare three realistic options and visit with specific questions.
7 minTuition is only one line of the budget. Separate charges from advance payments, record what each figure includes, and ask the school to confirm your calculation in writing.
7 minA useful visit should help you picture your child’s school day and resolve the questions that matter to your family. Ask for concrete examples, then separate what you observed from what you were told.