How to Apply to International Schools in Paris: Step-by-Step 2026 Guide

Applying to an international school in Paris is a more document-intensive process than most British families expect. French administrative culture values formal paperwork and certified translations, and certain requirements — notably the certificat de radiation — are peculiar to the French system and catch many families by surprise. The timelines are also tighter than in the UK: by the time many families begin their Paris housing search seriously, the best schools are already full for the following September.

This guide walks through the application process for each school type, explains the documentation requirements, sets out the post-Brexit residency context, and advises on the most effective sequence of steps.

Start with the Timeline: Earlier Than You Think

The single biggest mistake British families make when applying to Paris international schools is underestimating how early the process begins. The sequence that works is:

1. Decide on school type and priority schools (12–18 months before intended start for EJM; 9–12 months for most others)
2. Request information packs and note each school's open day dates
3. Submit applications during the October–December window
4. Complete assessments and interviews (typically January–March)
5. Receive offers or waiting list positions (typically February–April)
6. Confirm place and pay deposits (typically April–May)
7. Finalise housing in the relevant neighbourhood
8. Obtain certificat de radiation from current school
9. Complete French administrative enrolment on arrival

The consequence of a late start is not simply a delayed application: it is finding that the preferred school is full, that only the most accessible school (ICS) still has places, and that the neighbourhood you have leased or purchased a property in no longer serves the available school options.

Private International Schools (ISP, ICS, BSP, ASP, Marymount)

Application Window

For the main private international schools, the primary application window for September entry opens in October and closes, in practice, by January or early February. Schools that operate rolling admissions (notably ICS Paris and ASP) accept applications throughout the year, but available places diminish rapidly after January.

• ISP: Apply October–December for following September; oversubscribed at Kindergarten, Grades 6–7, and DP Year 1
• ICS Paris: Rolling admissions, no entrance exam; most accessible of the main schools
• BSP: Main window October–December; high demand at Reception/Year 1; more movement at IGCSE and A-Level entry years
• ASP: Rolling admissions; most grades have waiting lists; worth checking periodically even after the main window closes
• Marymount: Standard window October–December; remember it covers ages 2–14 only

Application Documents

All schools require broadly the same document set, though some vary by school. Prepare the following before beginning any applications:

For the child:

• Passport copy (all pages including visa stamps)
• Birth certificate (original or certified copy)
• Vaccination records (carnet de santé or UK Red Book)
• School reports for the past two years (translated if not in English or French)
• Certificat de radiation from the current school (see below)
• Any educational assessment reports (dyslexia, ADHD, EAL support, etc.)
• Recent passport photographs

For the parents:

• Passport copies
• Current residence permit or visa (see Post-Brexit section below)
• Proof of Paris address (lease agreement, property deed, EDF/utility bill — ideally two different documents)
• Some schools request an employer letter or proof of income

For the application itself:

• Completed application form (usually online)
• Non-refundable application fee (typically €750–€1,450 depending on school)
• School reference or recommendation letter (requested directly from current school by the admissions team in most cases)

Assessments and Interviews

Most private international schools in Paris conduct an assessment or interview as part of the admissions process, particularly for older children:

• ISP and ICS: Assessment is typically a classroom visit or informal assessment for younger children; more structured for secondary applicants
• BSP: Admissions assessment for secondary entry; school reports and references for primary
• ASP: Similar assessment process; school visits may be arranged remotely for overseas applicants
• Marymount: Informal observation visit for younger children

No school (other than LISGL) conducts a formal competitive examination. The assessment is principally to identify learning support needs and to ensure appropriate year-group placement.

Remote Applications

All major private international schools are accustomed to receiving applications from families who have not yet relocated. Most accept scanned copies of documents at the application stage, conduct admissions meetings by video call, and issue conditional offers pending:

• Arrival in France
• Provision of a Paris address
• Submission of original or notarised document copies

If you are at an early planning stage and have not yet committed to a move date, contact admissions offices directly to understand their remote application process.

The Certificat de Radiation: Essential and Easily Missed

The certificat de radiation (also called a certificat de déscolarisation) is an official document issued by a child's current school confirming that they have been formally removed from that school's register. In France, children cannot be enrolled in a new school without one.

UK schools issue this document as a standard letter on headed paper, confirming:

• The child's full name and date of birth
• The year group or class attended
• The date of last attendance
• A statement that the child has left the school roll

Request it from the current school's headteacher or registrar as soon as a leaving date is confirmed. For French state schools (including LISGL), the certificat de radiation must come from the previous French school if the child is already enrolled in France.

For private international schools, the requirement is similar but occasionally described differently (as a "school leaving certificate" or "withdrawal letter"). Confirm the exact requirement with each school's admissions office.

Applying to LISGL British Section

LISGL has a distinct application process driven by its status as a French public school. The timeline and requirements differ materially from the private international schools.

Timeline

• September–December: Application period for the following September entry. Submit via the school directly (not via the Académie de Paris standard process).
• Around March: Written English comprehension and essay examination (in English, at the school)
• April–May: Oral examination (in English; assesses reading comprehension, general knowledge, capacity to discuss texts)
• June–July: Results and offers issued

Language Standard Required

Entry to the British Section requires native or near-native English. This is not an EFL process and the tests are not designed to assess English as a foreign language — they are designed to identify students capable of following A-Level-equivalent instruction in English from day one. Children who have been schooled entirely in English but have limited French can apply, but should be aware that the majority of their school day at LISGL will be in French.

The written test assesses:

• Reading comprehension of an unseen literary or journalistic text
• Essay or extended writing in English

The oral test assesses:

• Discussion and analysis of a text
• General intellectual engagement in English

Families should provide current school reports, reference letters and any relevant supporting documentation with the initial application. A cover letter explaining the child's background, prior schools and reasons for applying is helpful.

Cost at Application Stage

There is no application fee at LISGL. Registration fees of approximately €1,500–€1,750 are payable on acceptance.

Applying to École Jeannine Manuel (EJM)

EJM is the most oversubscribed school in Paris at almost every entry point. The school's admissions team advises applying 12–18 months ahead of the intended start date. This means:

• Families intending to start in September 2027 should apply no later than autumn 2026
• Applications for September 2026 entry should have been submitted by late 2024 or very early 2025

The school assesses applicants through a combination of school reports, a written test (primarily for secondary applicants) and an interview. Language requirements reflect the school's genuine bilingual model: children without meaningful French experience may struggle initially, though the school does offer adaptation support at extra cost (approximately €3,895/year).

Registration is €650.

Post-Brexit Documentation Requirements

British families fall into two categories with different residency document requirements.

Withdrawal Agreement Holders (Resident Before 31 December 2020)

Families with the special Withdrawal Agreement carte de séjour (marked "Accord de retrait du Royaume-Uni") present this as proof of residence status. Schools accept it alongside a standard proof of address.

Critically: most five-year Withdrawal Agreement cards issued in late 2020 or early 2021 are due for renewal in 2025–2026. Families should initiate renewal at the prefecture at least three to six months before expiry. An expired card may cause complications at school enrolment and with other French administrative processes.

New Arrivals Post-2021

British families arriving in France since 2021 are treated as third-country nationals. They must have:

1. Obtained a long-stay visa (VLS-TS) from the French Consulate in the UK before departing
2. Validated it with OFII within three months of arriving in France
3. After 12 months, applied for a multi-year residence card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle)

At school application stage, families typically present their VLS-TS (with OFII validation stamp) or their multi-year residence card as proof of legal residence in France. Provisional offers may be issued on the basis of a valid long-stay visa even before the full residence card is obtained.

The common visa categories for British families in Paris are: Salarié (employed by a French or international employer), Profession libérale (self-employed), Visiteur (living on unearned income or pension), and Talent Passport (for high earners; gross salary threshold approximately €39,582/year as of August 2025). Financial proof of approximately €21,203/year per household is required for the Visiteur category.

Sequence of Steps for a Smooth Application

1. Shortlist two to three schools, allowing for one backup option (ICS is the most accessible back-up)
2. Submit initial enquiries and download application forms by October at the latest
3. Prepare document pack: translate school reports if required, gather passport and birth certificate copies
4. Request certificat de radiation from current school (can be done in anticipation)
5. Submit applications with application fees during October–December window
6. Complete any assessments or interviews remotely where possible
7. Receive conditional offers; confirm place with deposit
8. Finalise Paris housing in the appropriate neighbourhood — see our guide to best areas near Paris schools
9. On arrival in France, submit final proof of address, validate residence paperwork, submit original certificat de radiation

How Global Investments Can Help

Global Investments supports British families throughout the Paris relocation process, helping to coordinate property search with school application timelines. Our advisers understand that signing a lease in the right neighbourhood can affect school transport logistics, commute times and, in some cases, proximity to preferred school catchments. Contact us early in your planning process — the property and school decisions are best made together.

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.