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Strengths Languages, STEM, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Leadership and Professional, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction
Located just outside Paris, Lycée International - American Section is a public, co-educational day school within the Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The American Section provides English-speaking instruction while all students follow the French national curriculum in French, creating a bilingual, bicultural environment from age 4 to 18. The campus network spans three sites—Lycée International, Collège Marcel Roby, and Ecole Schnapper—with coordinated curricula across campuses. In Upper School, students pursue the Baccalauréat Français International (BFI), introduced in 2024, which includes a dedicated English-language and literature, history/geography, and world knowledge component; 41% of the BFI score comes from section work and a capstone research presentation. About 700 American Section students benefit from dedicated English-speaking teachers and English-language content while French remains the common language for schooling. Facilities include libraries with librarians, technology devices (iPads and Chromebooks), and sports and arts spaces. The program emphasizes service, international exchange, and writer-in-residence series and events.
2 Rue du Fer À Cheval, 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France
The Essentials
Lycée International - American Section has 700 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English, French.
Location
Located outside of Paris in historic Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the Lyce9e International houses the American Section.
Stages
Pre-K through 12 (MS through Terminale): Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School.
Type
Public, co-educational day school within the Lyce9e International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye; all students study the French national curriculum in French and enroll in one of 14 national sections; the American Section provides native English-speaking instruction.
Pupil Nationality Mix
Over 50 nationalities are represented in the American Section; the majority hold French and American dual nationalities or are French citizens who spent time abroad in English-language schools.
Country affiliation
France; public school within the French national education system.
Bus service
Access to campuses via the Paris RER network (line A) and public buses; a limited school bus service operates for Ecole Schnapper.
Fees
Annual tuition at Lycée International - American Section ranges from EUR 5,000 to EUR 6,610 for 2026/27.
Application fees
- Pre‑Kindergarten through 5th grade (MS – CM2): EUR 225. - 6th through 12th grade (6ème – Terminale): EUR 250.
Deposit and registration (new and returning students)
- New students: a non‑refundable payment of EUR 2,000 is required upon notification of acceptance. This EUR 2,000 consists of a one‑time registration fee of EUR 1,000 and an advance deposit of EUR 1,000 that will be deducted from the first tuition invoice. Payment must be received within two weeks of acceptance to secure the place. For families with four or more children in the Section, the EUR 1,000 registration fee is waived beginning with the fourth child. - Returning students: a non‑refundable advance deposit of EUR 1,000 is due each spring and will be deducted from the invoice issued in September; the precise due date is communicated in March. Places cannot be guaranteed for students whose deposits have not been received by the deadline.
Annual tuition (2025/2026) — amounts shown by school level and payer type
- Family rate (family pays tuition): - Pre‑K through 5th (MS – CM2): EUR 5,000 per year. - 6th through 9th (6ème – 3ème): EUR 5,150 per year. - 10th through 12th (2nde – Terminale): EUR 6,610 per year. - Family rate — third child (reduced rate for the 3rd child and any additional child): - Pre‑K through 5th: EUR 4,500 per year. - 6th through 9th: EUR 4,640 per year. - 10th through 12th: EUR 5,960 per year. - Sponsored rate (employer pays tuition): - Pre‑K through 5th: EUR 9,890 per year. - 6th through 9th: EUR 10,180 per year. - 10th through 12th: EUR 13,050 per year.
Per‑term amounts and billing practice
- Tuition is stated as an annual amount. Tuition (and, for new students, the registration fee) is invoiced in September; the balance of tuition is due by September 30 each year. Families eligible for the Family rate may choose to pay by direct debit in six equal monthly installments from October 5 to March 5; the direct‑debit schedule appears on the September invoice. There is no separate published per‑term fee schedule in the Section's tuition document; billing is issued annually with the payment options noted above.
Mid‑year entry and prorated charges
- A full annual tuition amount applies when a student enters before December 31. Students entering after December 31 are billed as follows: January 1–March 1 = 70% of annual tuition; after March 1 = 50% of annual tuition.
Withdrawal and refund policy
- Application fees and registration fees are non‑refundable. Advance deposits are non‑refundable except where a student is asked to withdraw from the Section for academic reasons. Tuition fees are fully due and non‑refundable. A 10% late fee is applied to payments received after the stated due dates.
Boarding / internat
- Boarding is not available. The Section does not operate boarding facilities and does not accept students who will not be living with their parent(s) or guardian. (Therefore, boarding fees are not applicable.)
Other costs and incidental charges
- The published fee schedule for the Section sets application, registration, advance deposit, annual tuition rates, and penalties; it does not list a mandatory uniform charge or a boarding charge. Separate costs that families commonly encounter—such as public transportation passes, limited paid school‑bus services in some locations, school lunches, class trips, exam fees, or extracurricular activity costs—are arranged or billed separately and are not included in the Section's annual tuition figures. The Section notes access to campuses via the regional train and public bus network and a limited school bus service; details and any transport fares are managed through the local parent association and regional transport providers.
Payment methods and banking information
- Accepted payment methods: euro‑denominated checks drawn on a French bank account (one check per family accepted), bank wire transfer (IBAN/SWIFT), and direct debit (available for families on the Family rate who choose the six‑installment option). All transfer fees must be covered by the sender. - Bank transfer details (use these exactly for wire transfers): - Account name: ASALI. - IBAN/RIB: FR76 30003 01860 00037266703 39. - BIC/SWIFT: SOGEFRPP. - Bank name: SOCIETE GENERALE. Families are asked to ensure their name appears in the wire‑transfer reference.
Billing contacts and enquiries
- Questions regarding invoices or payments should be directed to the Section's Business/Accounting Office (accounting@americansection.org).
Academics
Lycée International - American Section teaches American Curriculum, French Curriculum for students aged 4 to 18.
Curriculum
Authentic American education within a top French public school, from pre-K to 12 (MS-Terminale). Native English-speaking teachers teach the American Section classes, accounting for about 20% of a student's time, while the remaining 80% is taught by French teachers following the French Ministry of Education program. This creates a bilingual and bicultural education, combining English-language instruction with a full French curriculum. In the Upper School, students pursue the Baccalauréat Français International (BFI), introduced in 2024 to replace the OIB, with eight additional hours of instruction in the section language (including English Language and Literature, History and Geography as DNL, and Connaissance du Monde). The BFI contributes 41% of the total BFI score, emphasizes spoken communication, and includes a capstone oral presentation for an independent research project, with a Contemporary US Society module. The first BFI exam session occurred in spring 2024.
Exam Results
The American Section reports 100% success on the BFI diploma. The BFI replaced the OIB, with the first exam session in spring 2024, and BFI components account for 41% of the total score. Graduates go on to attend some of the world's top universities.
Higher Education Progression
Graduates matriculate at Anglophone universities or programs abroad as well as in France. Notable university destinations include Brown University, Caltech, University of Chicago, Duke University, Stanford University, Wellesley College, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, London School of Economics, Trinity College Dublin, Sciences Po, ESSEC Business School, Lycée Louis le Grand Paris, Lycée Sainte Geneviève, EPFL, University of Leiden, McGill University, and University of Toronto. About half of graduates enroll in Anglophone universities or programs abroad, while the other half study in France.
Gifted and Talented
The program offers enrichment beyond the standard curriculum, including a Writer-in-Residence program that brings authors to classrooms and extensive experiential learning. Students engage in independent inquiry such as capstone oral presentations and a US-context research project (CdM), alongside global learning experiences like field trips and other enrichment activities.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Character Education is a key element of the Lower School curriculum. The basic human values of respect, responsibility, self-discipline and perseverance, trustworthiness, fairness, and caring are discussed and developed during the year. The program is integrated with the curriculum in the form of discussions, writing exercises, and books that promote happiness, belief in oneself, and being a caring, determined, and responsible child. In Middle and Upper School, the Secondary Student Support Program builds on the Lower School Character Education and Life Skills programs to address wellness issues that accompany adolescence and young adulthood. The Support Program emphasizes authentic, compassionate advocacy, resilience in facing academic and personal challenges, and the ability to identify reliable resources when needed. The program rests on two pillars: Personal Advisory and Wellness Education, with Sixth Grade (Sixième) and Tenth Grade (Seconde) delivered by teacher-advisors; one-on-one sessions occur outside class hours; Wellness Education covers bullying prevention, stress management, cyber-safety, self-esteem, and positive body image; Terminale prepares students for the transition to university life.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The American Section provides native English instruction alongside a full French curriculum. Students learn from native English-speaking faculty and follow a complete French program within the Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Français Spécial is offered to students with limited French to acquire sufficient written and spoken French to join regular classes in French the following year, with FS available from CE1 through Seconde. Admission requirements for Français Spécial emphasize strong English skills and solid math ability, and a motivation to learn French and integrate into the French school system.
Mental Wellbeing
Wellness Education aims to help teens anticipate challenges they will face at school and beyond. The program covers bullying prevention, stress management, navigating interpersonal relationships, cyber-safety, and developing self-esteem and a positive body image. Personal Advisory sessions provide access to a trusted adult and faculty advocate, with a focus on overall wellness rather than solely academics. The program is integrated with the Student Support framework and extends across the middle and upper school years, including guidance related to the transition to university life in Terminale.
Admissions
Admissions
The American Section provides a bilingual education, English and French, to students ages 4–18. Admission is selective. For students who do not speak French, Français Spécial is offered to develop French language skills (ages 7–15) so they can join bilingual classes the following year.
Scholarships
Financial aid and scholarships are funded through the Annual Fund.
FAQs
What type of school is Lycée International - American Section?
Lycée International - American Section is a co-educational, serving students aged 4 to 18 located in France. Authentic American education within a top French public school, from pre-K to 12 (MS-Terminale). Native English-speaking teachers teach the American Section classes, accounting for about 20% of a stud
What curriculum does Lycée International - American Section follow?
Authentic American education within a top French public school, from pre-K to 12 (MS-Terminale). Native English-speaking teachers teach the American Section classes, accounting for about 20% of a student's time, while the remaining 80% is taught by French teachers following the French Ministry of Education program. This creates a bilingual and bicultural education, combining English-language instruction with a full French curriculum. In the Upper School, students pursue the Baccalauréat Français
What age range does Lycée International - American Section cater for?
Lycée International - American Section welcomes students from age 4 to 18.
What are the fees at Lycée International - American Section?
Annual fees at Lycée International - American Section range from 5,000 to 6,610. **Application fees**
- Pre‑Kindergarten through 5th grade (MS – CM2): EUR 225.
- 6th through 12th grade (6ème – Terminale): EUR 250.
**Deposit and registration (new and returning students)**
- New students: a non‑refundable payment of EUR 2,000 is required upon notification of acceptance. This
How do I apply to Lycée International - American Section?
The American Section provides a bilingual education, English and French, to students ages 4–18. Admission is selective. For students who do not speak French, Français Spécial is offered to develop French language skills (ages 7–15) so they can join bilingual classes the following year.
What languages are taught at Lycée International - American Section?
The school teaches in English for American Section classes and in French for the rest of the curriculum. English-language instruction is delivered by teachers from the United States or Canada who hold North American degrees. Français Spécial supports French language development in the first year. Th
What facilities does Lycée International - American Section offer?
The American Section operates on three campuses in Saint-Germain-en-Laye: Lycée International, Collège Marcel Roby, and Ecole Schnapper. Curricula and instruction are harmonized across all three campuses so students benefit from consistent schooling. The Lycée International campus serves ages 4–18 (
How many students attend Lycée International - American Section?
Lycée International - American Section has approximately 700 students enrolled.
When was Lycée International - American Section founded?
Lycée International - American Section was founded in 1952. The American Section of the Lycée International was established just outside Paris over a half-century ago by Dwight D. Eisenhower. It offers bilingual and bicultural education for children from age 4 to 18. Students learn from native English-speaking faculty in the American Section while following
What extracurricular activities does Lycée International - American Section offer?
Arts and creative activities include art and library work, theatre, community service, and robotics. Students also participate in class projects and dances and trips as part of the creative experience.
