The cost of international schooling in Paris is one of the most significant financial considerations for relocating British families. With 53 international schools and an average annual fee of approximately €16,067, the range is genuinely wide — from free state-funded bilingual programmes to full-fee English-medium campuses charging close to €40,000 per year. The headline fee, however, is rarely the full story: one-time entry costs, lunch, transport, trips and learning support can add substantially to the real annual cost.
This guide sets out the complete fee picture across each school type, provides a realistic total cost framework, and explains where the most significant savings are available for families who plan carefully.
Fee Ranges by School Type
Understanding the fee landscape requires separating school types clearly, because the variation is driven as much by structure as by quality.
Free: French State Bilingual Sections
At primary level, selected Paris state schools offer sections bilingues — a portion of the curriculum taught in English alongside standard French instruction. These are available through the Académie de Paris admissions process and are essentially free (families pay only for optional cantines and class outings, typically €400–€800 per year). Entry is competitive and managed by local geographic priority. They are a genuine option for families with children under age 8 who arrive early enough in the school year to apply.
At collège and lycée level, approximately 50 Paris secondary schools have sections internationales or sections anglaises, offering 4–6 additional hours per week of English-language history, literature and geography. These are state-funded and effectively free, but entry requires near-native English ability and a competitive language test.
Very Affordable: LISGL British Section (~€3,746–€9,090/year)
The Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye British Section is the most affordable credible pathway to a UK-recognised secondary qualification in the Paris area. As a French public school with state funding for the French curriculum component, it charges fees only for the supplementary British Section provision.
Annual fees are approximately €3,746–€9,090, with a one-time registration fee of around €1,500–€1,750. The qualification — the OIB (Baccalauréat Français International) — combines the French Baccalauréat with English-language papers at A-Level standard. It is accepted by UK universities, though families should verify specific score requirements with their target institutions.
Entry is selective via language testing. See our guide to applying to international schools in Paris for the timeline.
Affordable at Primary Level: École Jeannine Manuel (EJM, ~€9,935–€11,185 primary/middle; €32,560 lycée)
EJM in the 15th arrondissement is unusual: it offers genuinely affordable bilingual French-English education at primary and middle school levels, because the school is accredited by the French Ministry of Education (sous contrat) and receives state funding for those year groups. This allows it to charge approximately €9,935 per year at primary and €11,185 at middle school — comparable to a UK independent preparatory school rather than a full-fee Paris international school.
The dramatic shift comes at lycée (Grades 11–12), where fees jump to €32,560 per year, reflecting the school's private IB and French Bac provision at that level. Families should plan for this step change when modelling long-term costs.
Additional cost: if a student requires French-language adaptation support, this costs approximately €3,895 per year extra. Registration is €650.
Mid-Range: ICS Paris (~€20,595–€31,260/year)
ICS Paris in the 15th arrondissement offers the full IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma) from ages 3 to 18. Its fee structure is more graduated than some competitors:
| Year Group | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Nursery/Pre-K/KG (ages 3–5) | €20,595 |
| Grades 1–5 (ages 6–10) | €23,940 |
| Grades 6–8 (ages 11–13) | €27,840 |
| Grades 9–12 (ages 14–18) | €31,260 |
One-time costs:
- Application fee: €750
- Registration fee: €2,800
- Refundable deposit: €4,000
- Development Fund: €3,750 (non-refundable)
- Total one-time: approximately €11,300 (of which €4,000 is refundable)
ICS has no entrance exam and operates rolling admissions, making it the most accessible English-medium school in Paris. Its shuttle service is used by approximately a third of students.
Mid-to-High Range: The British School of Paris (~€20,684–€34,065/year)
BSP in Croissy-sur-Seine is the only school in the Paris area following the full English National Curriculum through to A-Levels:
| Year Group | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| KG1 (age 3) | €20,684 |
| KG2 (age 4) | €26,240 |
| KG3 (age 5) | €27,273 |
| Grades 1–5 | €27,273–€28,680 |
| Grades 6–8 | €31,620 |
| Grades 9–10 (IGCSE) | €33,107 |
| Grades 11–12 (A-Level) | €34,065 |
One-time costs:
- Registration: €1,500
- Development Fund: €8,000
- Total first-year one-time: approximately €9,500
School bus transport adds €2,500–€4,500 per year depending on route.
High Range: Marymount International (~€23,750–€39,000/year)
Marymount in Neuilly is a Catholic English-medium school for ages 2–14 only. It does not offer secondary provision beyond Grade 8, so families must plan a transition at that point.
| Year Group | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Nursery 2/KG1 (age 2–3) | €23,750 |
| KG2 (age 4) | €27,750 |
| KG3 (age 5) | €34,500 |
| Grades 1–5 | €34,900 |
| Grades 6–8 | €39,000 |
One-time costs:
- Application: €1,400
- Capital Assessment: €12,400
- Total one-time: approximately €13,800
High Range: International School of Paris (ISP, €25,500–€39,000/year)
ISP in the 16th arrondissement is the only major international school located within Paris proper. It offers the full IB Continuum from ages 2 to 18:
| Year Group | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Nursery/Pre-K | €25,500 |
| Kindergarten | €31,100 |
| Grades 1–5 | €31,400 |
| Grades 6–9 | €36,500 |
| Grades 10–12 | €39,000 |
One-time costs:
- Application: €1,200 (non-refundable)
- Entry Fee (Grades 1–12): €10,000 (non-refundable)
- Total one-time: approximately €11,200
Optional learning support: €3,000–€4,000 per year. Catering approximately €10 per meal.
High Range: American School of Paris (ASP, ~€25,000–€40,950/year)
ASP in Saint-Cloud follows the US curriculum Pre-K to Grade 12, with an IB Diploma option. Fees for 2026–27 range from approximately €25,000 to €40,950 depending on year group.
One-time costs:
- Application: €1,450
- Capital Assessment (non-refundable, K5+): €12,200
- Total one-time: approximately €13,650 from Primary Grade 1
Budget-Friendly for Ages 2–12: Bilingual Montessori (~€13,450–€15,750/year)
The Bilingual Montessori School of Paris covers ages 2–12 with French-English bilingual Montessori teaching. Fees are considerably lower than full English-medium schools:
- Ages 2–5 (Nursery/KG): €13,450
- Ages 6–12 (Grades 1–6): €15,750
- One-time new student fee: €500
There is no secondary provision: families need a transition plan from age 11–12.
Additional Costs: What the Headline Fee Excludes
All Paris international schools charge separately for certain costs that families should budget for from the outset.
Lunch (Cantine)
School canteens at Paris international schools are generally excellent. Typical costs:
- ISP: approximately €10 per meal — roughly €1,800–€2,000 per year for a full-time attendee
- Other schools: typically €1,500–€3,000 per year depending on usage
Transport
School buses run by BSP, ASP and other schools are not included in tuition fees:
- School bus: approximately €2,500–€4,500 per year depending on route length
- ICS shuttle: used by approximately a third of students; cost varies by route
- Families using public transport (RER A, Metro) will spend less but will need to factor in journey time and, for younger children, supervision.
Uniforms, Books and Devices
In Year 1, uniform, books, stationery and a laptop or tablet can cost €600–€2,500 depending on the school's requirements. Subsequent years are lower as uniform items are replaced only as needed.
Learning Support
If a child requires learning support (dyslexia, language adaptation, emotional or social needs), the additional cost is typically €3,000–€8,000 per year:
- ISP: €3,000–€4,000
- EJM: €3,895 for French-language adaptation
- BSP: individual assessment; costs vary
School Trips
Annual trips — to France and internationally — add €500–€4,000 per year depending on year group and school.
Building a Realistic Annual Budget
The following table illustrates realistic total first-year costs for a primary-age child at each school type. Costs are approximate and vary by family circumstances.
| School | Annual Tuition | One-Time (Year 1) | Lunch | Transport | Misc | Year 1 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LISGL British Section | €6,000 | €1,750 | €800 | €1,200 | €500 | ~€10,250 |
| EJM (Primary) | €9,935 | €650 | €1,500 | €1,500 | €600 | ~€14,185 |
| Bilingual Montessori | €13,450 | €500 | €1,200 | €1,200 | €500 | ~€16,850 |
| ICS Paris (Primary) | €23,940 | €11,300 | €2,000 | €3,000 | €1,200 | ~€41,440 |
| BSP (Grade 3) | €27,273 | €9,500 | €2,000 | €3,500 | €1,200 | ~€43,473 |
| ISP (Grade 3) | €31,400 | €11,200 | €2,000 | n/a (16th) | €1,500 | ~€46,100 |
These are illustrative estimates. Individual circumstances, transport routes and elective costs vary.
Ten-Year Cost Planning
For families considering a full 3–18 education in Paris, the cumulative cost difference between school types is very significant. A child progressing through BSP from age 5 to 18 would incur fees in the range of €27,273 to €34,065 per year for most of that period — a cumulative tuition cost before additional expenses of roughly €350,000–€400,000 over 13 years.
The same child progressing through EJM from age 5 (at €9,935/year for primary and middle, then €32,560 at lycée) would incur cumulative tuition of roughly €130,000–€160,000 over the same period, with considerably stronger French alongside the international qualification.
The LISGL route, entered at age 11, would cost approximately €50,000–€70,000 in tuition over seven secondary years — a very significant saving relative to private international schools.
Families planning for a full Paris education should model these cumulative costs before committing to a school.
How Global Investments Can Help
Global Investments works with British families navigating property decisions in Paris, understanding that school fees and property costs must be modelled together to make a Paris relocation financially viable. Our team can help you identify properties in the right locations for your chosen school at the right price point, ensuring your overall Paris budget holds together. Contact us to discuss your family's requirements.
This guide is for general information only. School fees, residency requirements, and educational frameworks change regularly. Always verify current information directly with schools and relevant French authorities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average international school fee in Paris?
The average annual fee across Paris international schools is approximately €16,067, though this average masks a very wide range — from essentially free state bilingual programmes to €39,000 at the International School of Paris or American School of Paris.
Which Paris international school has the lowest fees for secondary students?
The Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye (LISGL) British Section charges approximately €3,746–€9,090 per year for secondary students, making it the most affordable credible option for UK-bound students. Entry requires a language test at native or near-native standard.
Are there one-time fees on top of annual school fees in Paris?
Yes, and they can be substantial. The International School of Paris charges a non-refundable entry fee of €10,000 from Grade 1 onwards. The American School of Paris charges a Capital Assessment of €12,200. Marymount charges €12,400. BSP charges a first-year Development Fund of €8,000. ICS Paris charges a refundable deposit of €4,000 plus a non-refundable Development Fund of €3,750.
What does a full first-year Paris international school budget look like?
For a primary-age child at a mid-range English-medium school such as ICS Paris, a realistic first-year budget would be approximately €20,595–€23,940 tuition + €7,550 one-time fees + €1,800 lunch + €3,500 transport + €1,500 uniform and books = roughly €35,000–€38,000 in year one, dropping to around €27,000–€29,000 in subsequent years.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and regulations change frequently; verify current requirements with a qualified adviser before acting.