From international royals to the world's elite, there's no denying that the cream of the crop loves sending their kids to British boarding schools. It's become a common belief, perhaps even an old-time stereotype, that such educational institutions offer the highest quality of education and produce the most notable graduates. Fortunately, there's a little bit of that in Paris—the
British School of Paris. Located in the Croissy-sur-Seine western suburb, this the only coeducational private day school in France that's accredited by the UK Government. This alone should tell you how prestigious of an institution it is!
Source: The British School of Paris Facebook Page
History of The British School of Paris
There aren't many schools that trace their origins to one of the most famous
châteaus near Paris, but the British School of Paris is certainly one of them. Mrs. Mary Cosyn established the academic institution, originally named the “English School of Paris,” in the historic Château de Monte-Cristo, once the home of famed novelist, Alexander Dumas. Around the time, the majority of the school's student body comprised the kids of British, American, and Canadian nationals working in the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers of Europe (SHAPE). By 1971, BSP became prestigious enough to officially join the European Council of International Schools (ECIS), which brought even further recognition to the institution.
What is The British School of Paris' Campus Like?
Today, the British School of Paris stands in its permanent home in Croissy-sur-Seine, one of the central western
Paris Suburbs. It's a fairly big campus, especially compared to the schools located in the
central neighborhoods of Paris. Thanks to the fairly expansive land devoted to the school, BSP is more than able to provide a myriad of facilities that other academic institutions, specifically those in the city center, can't. Most notably, the school's campus on the outskirts of Paris allows it to have a huge football field, outdoor courtyards, and more.
Source: The British School of Paris Facebook Page
The British School of Paris Student Body
Among the prestigious
international schools in Paris, BSP is one of the biggest. Not only does it have an expansive campus in the Paris Suburbs, but it also boasts one of the biggest student bodies. The British School of Paris welcomes about 600 students per year across different academic levels. And though it originally only taught British, American, and Canadian students, the school has grown to welcome kids from different parts of the world. Today, BSP takes pride in its diverse student body, teaching children of various nationalities, ethnicities, and walks of life.
What is The British School of Paris' Curriculum?
True to its name, BSP teaches the British National Curriculum (BNC). Divided into two—the Junior School and the Senior School—the school has taken a decidedly British approach to education. It's worth noting that BNC is different from the Cambridge Curriculum, which is also common among schools in the UK. The BNC, which itself is divided into four key stages, focuses more on British values. As such, BSP students will also learn more about British history and culture, even though it's located in the French capital, compared to other schools that lean more toward an internationally slant curriculum.
Source: The British School of Paris Facebook Page
How Much Does It Cost to Study in The British School of Paris?
As a private school located in the Paris Suburbs, the British School of Paris also imposes expensive tuition fees. Even for its nursery years, the costs are already around €20,082.00 per year. For the rest of the Junior School (Years 1 to 6), the tuition fees range from €26,479.00 to €27,845.00 per year. Coming into the Senior School (Years 7 to 13), parents will then have to pay €30,699.00 to €33,073.00 per year. On top of all that, BSP also imposes other fees, including hot lunch fees (€1,645.00), transportation fees (from €1,800.00 to €4,000.00), and costs for educational trips (from €397.00 to €1,650.00).
Where is The British School of Paris in Paris?
As already mentioned, the British School of Paris is located in Croissy-sur-Seine, famous as the most affluent among the Paris Suburbs. A good number of Parisian elites live here and reside in big townhouses and full-blown mansions instead of the usual
luxury apartments in Paris, specifically the city center. As such, Croissy-sur-Seine is also a lot more peaceful and considerably safer than the central arrondissements. It boasts a quieter vibe but is still fairly lively, especially compared to the true countryside towns in France. This is the perfect place for a private international school in the city.
Source: The British School of Paris Facebook Page
The British School of Paris is perhaps the closest thing Paris, or even all of France has to a traditional British boarding school. Much like those acclaimed institutions, this school offers high-quality education worthy of any worldly elite.
