Don't be Ashamed to Send Your Kids to Public Schools in Paris

If you just moved to Paris with your whole family, your kids' schooling is likely a huge concern, isn't it? I've been through that myself, so I'm here to tell you that you have nothing to worry about! Even if you can't afford Paris's private schools, the city still has many quality public schools. So don't throw away that option outright! My family and I are pretty well off, but I still send my kids to public school. Why? Because it gives them more opportunities to meet different kinds of people, they're truly immersed in French culture, and of course, it's free!

Understanding the French Educational System

First things first, it's worth understanding the French educational system. Most of Paris's public schools follow its standards, after all, so it will give you a good idea of how your kids will be taught. Fortunately, the French educational system follows a Structured Curriculum, highlighting subjects that are taught nationwide. They include mathematics, science, history, geography, modern languages, and, of course, the French language, among many others. Don't forget about the arts, physical education, and technology, too. Moreover, the system also makes use of a 20-point scale, which means the passing mark for most students is 10/20.

The Kinds of Schools in Paris

It's also worth knowing the kind of schools Paris has to offer. Firstly, there are the public schools (Écoles Publiques), which are open to the public, don't impose tuition fees, and encourage full immersion in the French language and culture. Secondly, there are the private schools (Écoles Privées), which can be either secular or religious, and they impose tuition fees. Often, they feature bilingual programs and tend to have smaller classes, too. And third, there are the international schools in Paris, which are mostly private, feature foreign curricula, and guarantee the highest quality of education. However, at the same time, international schools tend to be the most expensive among the three types.

Learn the French Language

Now, let's focus on the benefits of enrolling your kids in a public school in Paris. My main reason was/is that it encourages my kids to improve their French. I'm married to a French citizen, so they already knew the basics when they were just toddlers. And though private and international schools also teach in French, public schools really hammer it all in. It's the language equivalent of throwing your babies directly in the water to teach them to swim (which, incidentally, I also did with them). With classmates who are mostly French-speaking locals, my little ones had no choice but to learn and speak French in a public school.

Immersed in French Culture

More than just the French language, I also discovered that having my kids study in public schools allows them to fully immerse themselves in French culture, too. I thought I knew everything about France and Paris since I've lived here with my family since my early twenties, but my kids still surprise me with what they learn from other Parisian kids in school. Again, this is another advantage public schools have over private and especially international schools. These very local educational institutions teach more about the country, its culture, and more than any foreign-led schools in the city.

Meet All Sorts of People

Since public schools are more accessible to a wider variety of students, this also lets my kids meet all sorts of people. I was worried about how my kids would make friends in Paris since they spent their first few years abroad, but I'm grateful they met such nice children in their classes. Also, at the risk of sounding prejudiced, I didn't want my kids to only be surrounded by kids of elite families if I sent them to private or international schools. I know that would've benefited them in terms of building a good network when they're older, but I'd rather my little ones discover new perspectives, ideas, and more by meeting kids from all walks of life.

Safety isn't That Much of a Concern

Look, I'm gonna be real here for a sec: Paris isn't that dangerous of a city! Is it the safest place in the world? Of course not! But to say it's a dystopia is simply wrong, and I even find it a little overdramatic and problematic. I'm lucky enough to have settled down in a safe neighborhood, and the public school here is pretty secure. It may not be as well-guarded as a private school, but I'm still assured that my kids are safe there throughout the day. Moreover, I made friends with some stay-at-home moms in the area, and they're nice enough to look after my kids whenever I or my spouse have to work late.

No Tuition Fees

I'm sure many of you will consider this the best reason to enroll your kid in a public school in Paris! Having lived here for a long time, raising a family with multiple kids, I don't even need to tell you how high our expenses are. You already know that Paris is an expensive city, so if you're gonna live here, one surefire way to save money is to send your kids to a free public school. They don't impose any tuition fees, yet they still provide high-quality education that could easily rival those in private schools.

A Few Cons to Still Consider

I consider it my responsibility to also share that sending your kids to a public school in Paris also comes with a few cons. Nothing is perfect, after all, and while doing so has helped me (and my kids) gain many benefits, there's also no denying that there are still a few disadvantages to consider. Here are a few you should know:

- It's hard if your kids don't understand French.
- Foreign students get no special treatment regardless of their proficiency in French.
- Larger classes mean the teacher may not have ample time to focus on your kid.
- The safety of the school mostly depends on where you are.
- The educational programs are rarely as competitive as those in private schools.
- School meals and extracurricular activities often include extra costs.
- There's no guarantee of a quality school meal.



Don’t be too quick to scoff at the idea of sending your kids to public school in Paris. The city’s educational system is still top-notch, and public schools here are better and safer than you realize!