Bim School - Boulogne vs Lycée International - American Section

	B Bim School - Boulogne Paris, France	L Lycée International - American Section Paris, France
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €2,547 - 15,255	Fees / year €5,000 - 6,610
Age range	Age range 2 - 11 years	Age range 4 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Montessori Curriculum, French Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary)	Curriculum American Curriculum, French Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 700
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English, French	Instruction language English, French
Opened	Opened 2013	Opened 1952
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location Located outside of Paris in historic Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the Lyce9e International houses the American Section.
Stages	Stages —	Stages Pre-K through 12 (MS through Terminale): Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School.
School type	School type —	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	Pupil nationality mix —	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.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation France; public school within the French national education system.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details Access to campuses via the Paris RER network (line A) and public buses; a limited school bus service operates for Ecole Schnapper.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details School fees Registration fees: €400 in the 1st year Tuition fees: according to availability and family income. Bracket 1 (Income < €35,000): 2,547€ - Full for 26-27 Bracket 2 (Income < €50,000): €5,520 - Full for 26-27 Bracket 3 (Income < €70,000): €7,788 - Full for 26-27 Bracket 4 (Income < €90,0000): €10,158 - Full for 26-27 Bracket 5 (Income < €120,000): €11,250 Bracket 6 (Income < €150,000): €12,378 Bracket 7 (Income > €150,000): €13,584 Bracket 8 (Company rate): €15,255 Catering: annual lunch package at €1,498 Lunch-box : annual lunch supervision fee 800€	Fee details 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).
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options There is no cafeteria lunch program for Kindergarten (GS) and First Grade (CP) on the Lycée International campus; students may go home for lunch or bring a packed lunch and participate in the Lunchbox program, run by the parents whose children participate.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The American Section is governed by the ASALI (Association de la Section Américaine du Lycée International) Board of Trustees, consisting of seven to 11 trustees elected by ASALI members (parents) for a two-year term at the AGM held each autumn. The Board recruits, appoints, supports, and evaluates the Director, leads strategic planning, and sets budgets and tuition. The American Section is a not-for-profit association under French law (Association loi de 1901) and operates on the Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye campus as part of the public Lycée International.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details —	Curriculum details 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.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	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	Higher education progression —	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	Gifted and talented —	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.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning 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.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language 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	Mental wellbeing —	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.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview 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 (Pre-K to Terminale) within the school's 14 international sections, including the American Section. The main campus includes a gym facility. The Lycée International hosts 14 international sections, with the American Section being one of them.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities There is a gym on the main campus. Soccer is an extracurricular activity offered to students across Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities Libraries and technology are integrated into the American Section's learning. The libraries support information literacy from Early Years, with three librarians enhancing access to books and guiding research and digital literacy. Library classes begin in Lower School, and librarians collaborate with teachers on projects. The program includes a Writer-in-Residence series, and technology is supported with dedicated devices: iPads for Lower School and Chromebooks for Middle and Upper School, plus a Google Apps-based education platform and computer programming taught in the French classroom.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Lower School activities include Griffith Observatory Astronomy Class, Robotics Club, Theater, Soccer. Middle School offers Book Club, Art Club, Chess, Community Service, Theater, Soccer, Student Council, Yearbook. Upper School features A-capella singing, Art Club, Economics Club, Community Service, India Exchange Team, Poetry Club, Literary Magazine, Model United Nations, Soccer, Student Council, Theater, Yearbook.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History 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 the full French curriculum within the Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a public institution ranked among France's top schools. With 99-100% success on the BFI diploma (Baccalaureat Français International), graduates go on to the world's finest universities. The Lycée unites students from 14 international sections, creating a multilingual, multicultural experience.
Community	Community —	Community The American Section fosters a vibrant community through a broad range of co-curriculars and community service. Recent events include MUN at THIMUN, TEDx LI St Germain Youth, Poetry by Heart, climate education initiatives, and the inaugural International Day celebrating the school's over 60 nationalities. Other community events include a Fall Picnic, Thanksgiving Desserts, a Holiday Sale, and the Fundraising Gala and Auction.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association The American Section relies on parent volunteers who run most social events, serve as Homeroom Parents, and help with Art and Library classes. A Volunteer Leadership Committee coordinates involvement and includes a Volunteer Mentoring Program to pair new volunteers with experienced leaders. Volunteer opportunities span Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School, including Homeroom Parents, Art and Library volunteers, and class-level committees organizing dances and other events. Section-wide events include a Fall Picnic, Thanksgiving Desserts, Holiday Sale, and the Fundraising Gala and Auction, with the Gala described as the Section's major annual social fundraiser. The Section also hosts International Day, Lycée en Fête, Soccer, and Cocktail Parties to connect families with school life.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual Authentic American education is delivered within the Lyce9e International, from pre-K to 12. All Section classes are taught by native English-speaking teachers educated in North America; the remainder of the curriculum follows the French national program. Français Spe9cial offers one year of French immersion for non-French speakers, and graduates pursue top universities.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative 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.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language The Lyce9e International comprises 14 international sections, and about 700 American Section students are enrolled across three campuses. The American Section classes are taught by native English-speaking teachers educated in North America. French remains the common language, but every sections language and culture are valued; Français Spe9cial provides intensive French instruction for non-French speakers on admission.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies A wide range of co-curriculars and community service builds the whole person. Student stories highlight involvement in arts, theatre, robotics, and yearbook-related activities.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Community service is a feature of the program, with activities such as Care Packages for Refugees. Care packages for refugees totaled nearly 60 items; the annual community picnic also fosters community.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional Co-curricular activities are designed to develop leadership skills and global awareness. Opportunities for leadership and professional development exist through clubs and events, including the TEDx LI St Germain Youth initiative.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Mindfulness and wellness activities are part of student life, including mindfulness, arts and crafts, and nature walks. Outdoor trips and sustainability-themed activities are organized as part of weekends and class trips, and dances are a regular social event.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision 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. The program leads to the French Baccalaureate with International Option (OIB) at the end of studies.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The American Section provides bilingual instruction with English-language classes taught by native English-speaking teachers educated in North America. The remainder of the curriculum is taught in French by French teachers in accordance with the programs defined by the French Ministry of Education. Lower and Middle School students have six hours per week of American Section classes; Upper School students have eight hours per week. Students take the French Baccalaureate with International Option (OIB) at the end of their studies.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs English-language instruction is the core of the American Section; all Section classes are taught by native English-speaking teachers. Français Spécial provides targeted French language development in the first year so students may join regular French-language classes in the following year. French is used for the remainder of the curriculum and is aligned with the National Ministry of Education standards.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	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	Scholarships —	Scholarships Financial aid and scholarships are funded through the Annual Fund.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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