Relocating to Paris with children is both exciting and overwhelming. One of the first things I had to figure out after deciding to move was where my child would go to school. Living in the 15th arrondissement — a peaceful, family-friendly area in the southwest of Paris — I explored several options, and eventually chose ICS Paris International School. Here’s why, and what I learned along the way.
1. Public or International School?
If you’re new to France, one of the first questions you’ll face is whether to enroll your child in the public school system or go for an international school. In France, public elementary schools are assigned based on your home address, a system known as sectorisation scolaire. While public schools are free and generally good, the main challenge for foreigners is the language barrier — classes are conducted entirely in French, and there’s little support for non-French speakers.
As a result, many foreign families, including mine, turn to international schools. These schools are more adaptable for students coming from abroad, and classes are often in English or bilingual formats.
2. Why ICS Paris?
After visiting multiple schools in the area, ICS Paris clearly stood out. It offers a welcoming, multilingual environment where children from around the world can feel at home. My child didn’t speak French fluently when we moved, and ICS was one of the few schools that not only understood this challenge but had systems in place to help with the transition.
What made a difference for us:
- English-language instruction throughout the primary years
- The International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), which is globally recognized and great for mobile families
- French taught as an additional language, with varying levels for beginners and advanced speakers
- A warm, supportive community of families and teachers
- Located in the 15th arrondissement, which was ideal for our family’s daily commute
ICS is also part of the Globeducate network, which includes dozens of respected international schools across the world.
3. The Admissions Experience
One thing I really appreciated was how easy and supportive the admissions process was. The team responded quickly to our emails, explained each step clearly, and allowed us to do a virtual tour before arriving in Paris.
For admission, you’ll usually need:
- Your child’s most recent school reports (translated, if needed)
- A copy of your child’s passport and visa
- Immunization records
- Application and registration forms
Enrollment is open throughout the year, depending on availability.
ICS Paris is located at:
23 Rue de Cronstadt, 75015 Paris
https://www.icsparis.fr
4. Who Attends ICS?
One of the things that drew me to ICS was the school’s diversity. The student body includes over 60 nationalities, and no single nationality dominates.
Estimated nationality breakdown:
- United States & Canada: ~15–20%
- United Kingdom & Ireland: ~10%
- France (often bilingual families): ~15%
- China, South Korea, Japan: ~10–15%
- India & South Asia: ~10%
- Middle East: ~10%
- Other European countries: ~10–15%
- Latin America & Africa: ~5–10%
It felt reassuring to know that my child would be surrounded by other newcomers and third-culture kids.
5. Tuition and Fees
Like most international schools, ICS Paris is a private institution with annual tuition fees. For elementary grades, expect to pay around €20,000 to €25,000 per year, depending on the grade level and any additional services (bus, meals, after-school care). While it’s a financial investment, we felt the level of education and the nurturing environment were worth it.
6. Living in the 15th Arrondissement
ICS is located within easy walking distance of metro lines and shops. The 15th arrondissement is calm, residential, and has a mix of local French life and international families. If you’re planning to live nearby, this neighborhood offers a great quality of life — with parks, cafés, and reliable transport options.
Choosing a school abroad isn’t easy, but ICS made that decision easier for us. If you’re looking for a reliable, friendly, and internationally minded school for your child in Paris — especially if you’re still learning the language yourself — I’d definitely recommend giving ICS a serious look.
They made us feel welcome from day one, and more importantly, they helped our child feel confident, supported, and excited to learn.