International School of Lyon vs Ombrosa International School - College Multilingue De Savoie
International School of Lyon and Ombrosa International School - College Multilingue De Savoie are both in Lyon. Both schools offer IB and Cambridge IGCSE programmes, and Ombrosa International School - College Multilingue De Savoie also offers French and American. Published annual fees are close, at €7,744 - 18,024 for International School of Lyon and €6,540 - 17,890 for Ombrosa International School - College Multilingue De Savoie. International School of Lyon takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Ombrosa International School - College Multilingue De Savoie from 11 to 15. Ombrosa International School - College Multilingue De Savoie is the larger school, with around 1,270 pupils to International School of Lyon's 300. Typical class sizes are 15 at International School of Lyon and 21 at Ombrosa International School - College Multilingue De Savoie.
French Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP), American Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
300
Pupils
1,270
Typical class size
Typical class size
15
Typical class size
21
Instruction language
Instruction language
English, French
Instruction language
English, French
Opened
Opened
2004
Opened
1971
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
80 Chemin du Grand Roule, 69110 Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon, France. Located in the peaceful suburb of Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon, just southwest of Lyon. The campus sits between a family-oriented village and a world-class city.
Location
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Stages
Stages
Ages 3-18; Primary through High School. IB Primary Years Programme and Diploma Programme.
Stages
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School type
School type
Not-for-profit association (French law 1901); independent international school.
School type
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Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
About 300 students with more than 45 nationalities represented. French is the largest nationality (~30%), with large groups including American, Brazilian, British, Indian, Japanese and Korean.
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
English language support (ESOL) is available for students who need it. In secondary school a minimum English level is required to access the curriculum. Extra support for students with learning difficulties is available for an additional fee.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
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Country affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
The school opens at 8:05; lessons begin at 8:20. Finishing times are 15:35 on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 12:05 on Wednesdays; 14:55 on Fridays. IB Diploma students have a variable timetable.
Additional mandatory and optional fees (per child unless otherwise stated)
- Library deposit (refundable): EUR 350. - PTA membership fee: EUR 20. - ESOL (English support, where applicable, Grades 2–10): EUR 650 per trimester. - SEN (Special Educational Needs) support: - Placement A: EUR 900. - Placement B: EUR 1,800. - Placement C: EUR 2,700. - Placement D: EUR 3,600. - After-school care is charged per term and is non-refundable upon withdrawal. - Lunch service is available through an external provider and is charged separately.
Additional charges may apply for school supplies, online learning platforms, external examinations (e.g. PSAT, SAT, BMAT), residential and extra-curricular trips, additional language support, ESOL, SEN support, and bank transfer charges.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition is generally payable in full before 31 August. - Private payers may pay in three or ten instalments by standing order, subject to a signed financial agreement. - Payments for the 2026–2027 academic year run from June 2026 to March 2027. - Students enrolling after 31 December pay 65% of the annual tuition, while those enrolling after 1 April pay 40%. - Accepted payment methods: credit card, cheque, or bank transfer. - One invoice is issued per family; additional invoices cost EUR 50 each. - Late payments incur 4.92% monthly interest plus a EUR 50 late payment fee.
Refunds and cancellations
- Application and capital assessment fees are non-refundable. - The EUR 350 library deposit is refundable upon return of borrowed books and musical instruments in good condition. - Students withdrawing before 31 December may receive a 35% tuition refund, provided written notice is given by 1 December. - No tuition refund is available after 31 December or if a student is expelled.
Fee details
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Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
Lunches: Families choose between a packed lunch (microwaves available in all lunchrooms) or a connected refrigerated vending machine with fresh products renewed daily for Grades 5–12; cards are available from the office and refilled online. Pizza days occur every second Friday, with funds raised going to charity, school activities, or the PTA. Snacks may be brought for the morning break; fizzy drinks and energy drinks are not allowed; ISL promotes a waste-free lunch policy.
Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
The International School of Lyon is a not-for-profit association (French Loi 1901). The Board, along with the Director, oversees the school's functioning and finances. The founding industrial members were Bayer Crop Science, Lafarge, Merial, Monsanto and Renault Trucks. Current Chief Board members are: Laurence Arikan (Flexis Mobility) – President; François Rocher (formerly Bayer Crop Science) – Treasurer; Amaury de Carlan (Associé, LexCase); Arnaud de Jaureguiberry (Bayer SAS); Françoise Le Guern (Volvo Group); Donna Philip (former Director, ISL).
Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
In Grades 6–8, ISL follows an in-house Middle School curriculum designed by subject specialists. The curriculum is broad and balanced and builds on the inquiry-based, transdisciplinary framework of the IB Primary Years Programme, moving toward an interdisciplinary approach to learning. The programme is fully aligned with ISL's Vision and Mission. Aims include connecting learning to real-world situations, enabling inquiry into issues of significance locally, nationally and globally, developing open-minded and internationally minded students, fostering empathy and a sense of common humanity, and encouraging personal responsibility to contribute to the public good, along with developing critical thinking, research, analytical, communication and collaboration skills. There are cross-curricular projects such as Grade 6 Leading Your Learning Project, Grade 6 STEAM Project, Grade 7 UN SDG Project, and Grade 8 Personal Project. In High School, Grades 9–10 follow the Cambridge IGCSE while Grades 11–12 prepare students for the IB Diploma Programme, with ISL Diploma available for graduates who do not complete the full IB Diploma.
Curriculum details
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Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Average class size is 15. There are about 300 students and 46 educational staff, yielding an approximate student–teacher ratio of around 6.5 to 1.
Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
In the last two years of high school ISL offers the IB Diploma Programme, a challenging university-access qualification, while Grades 9–10 follow the Cambridge IGCSE. Assessment spans continuous coursework, with four skills evaluated (listening, speaking, reading and writing), and includes language options such as Language Ab Initio and Language B courses. The Cambridge IGCSE History course follows the Cambridge IGCSE 20th Century specification. ISL Graduation Requirements specify 21 credits to graduate, with the IB Diploma programme automatically qualifying students for the ISL Diploma; minimums include English (4), French or another language (4), Maths (3), Social Science (3), Sciences (3), PE (½ per year), Art/Music (½ credit/year, optional), Extended Essay/Senior Project (½ credit/year, 1 total), Theory of Knowledge (½ credit, 1).
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
ISL fosters social and emotional development through a welcoming, inclusive community. New arrivals are paired with a buddy and a mentor family to help them settle in. The school provides a safe, supportive, nurturing environment that promotes belonging, safety, self-worth and holistic growth. In Primary, weekly pastoral lessons cover a broad range of pastoral and wellbeing topics for Grades 1–5. ISL's mission emphasizes developing curious, responsible, interculturally understanding lifelong learners.
Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
ISL follows an Inclusion Policy that provides ESOL and support for students with special needs. Admission considers whether the school can meet the academic, social and emotional needs of the student, and an individualized learning plan may be used. A SENCO coordinates assessment and appropriate interventions, with teachers differentiating instruction and collaborating with outside specialists. Where needed, ESOL support is provided and external resources or examination accommodations may be arranged.
Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
Fluency in English is not a prerequisite to join ISL; students from many language backgrounds attend, with English language support (ESOL) available for those who need it. In secondary school, a minimum level of English is required to access the curriculum and ensure academic success.
English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
ISL supports student wellbeing through wellbeing initiatives and pastoral care. The OFF February Challenge invites students and staff to reduce social media use as a wellbeing activity. New student integration includes a buddy system to help students settle in and build social connections. Weekly pastoral lessons in Grades 1–5 address wellbeing and related social-emotional topics.
Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
ISL prioritizes safeguarding; all staff are trained in Child Protection and Safeguarding and in mandatory first aid and fire safety procedures.
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
ISL is located in Sainte Foy-lès-Lyon, on protected woodland, in purpose-built facilities on its own grounds. The building was designed in the 1970s as a French middle school and features light, spacious classrooms arranged in clusters around a central atrium. Primary and Secondary have their own areas but share the library and the art and music rooms. The campus includes an on-site gym, and access to a nearby municipal gym and swimming pool for additional activities. Outdoor spaces include a large upper playground, a multi-sport astro-turf playing field and a small amphitheatre, with older students able to use municipal fields and an athletics stadium nearby for sports.
Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
There is an on-site gym for PE and activities. Older students access a large gymnasium nearby and municipal facilities for sports. Outdoor spaces include a large upper playground and a multi-sport astro-turf playing field. Older students also use municipal playing fields and an athletics stadium in the area for sports lessons.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
There are dedicated facilities for art and design, music and movement, and ICT. A large, well-equipped library serves the school community. Classrooms are light and spacious and grouped in clusters around a central atrium. Primary and Secondary share the library and the art and music rooms, while maintaining separate areas for different year groups.
Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
ISL offers on-site enrichment activities in sports, the arts and, for older students, local or international community service. These include cultural, linguistic and subject-specific outings for all classes and residential trips for Grades 1–12. Activities include secondary drama and music, primary percussion and movement, a whole-school choir, mathematics clubs, a soccer club (boys and girls), a model-making club, and nature and environmental clubs. ISL sends a delegation to Model United Nations conferences each year and hosts ILYMUN with a local sister school, involving around 500 students from France and abroad. Extra language lessons and individual instrument and voice lessons are available on request. ISL Student Councils are active in organizing student-led activities and events.
Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
ISL is a not-for-profit association (French law 1901). The capital provided by enrolment fees is reinvested in the school for the improvement of the campus and the enhancement of student learning. It is an IB World School for the Primary Years Programme and Diploma Programme, and a registered Cambridge Assessment International Education school, a member of ECIS and the English Language Schools Association. Although not part of the national system, ISL is regularly inspected by the French National Education Ministry with very positive reports. The campus is located in Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon on protected woodland and housed in purpose-built facilities; the building was designed in the 1970s as a French middle school and now serves primary and secondary students with shared facilities such as a library, art and music rooms and a gym.
History
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Community
Community
ISL's student population includes more than 45 nationalities, with French representing about 30% and other large groups including American, Brazilian, British, Indian, Japanese and Korean. ISL maintains strong ties with the local town hall, cultural groups and nearby schools; upper primary students are often elected to the Children's Municipal Council and many students participate in local clubs and sports teams. ISL's mission emphasizes intercultural understanding and respect as a core aim of its education. ISL presents a family-minded international community with a diverse learning environment.
Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
The ISL PTA connects parents, faculty and staff to support the learning environment and the ISL community. All parents of ISL students are automatically members of the PTA. Monthly PTA meetings strengthen the partnership between parents and the school and provide a platform to discuss events, initiatives and funding allocations. The PTA organizes a series of fêtes throughout the year, including Fall, Winter and Summer Fêtes. Activities and parent clubs include French Discussion Group, English Lessons, Learn-to-Knit, Book Club, Crafting and Decorating, Lyon History and Tours. The PTA invites ongoing involvement and volunteering to support students and programs.
Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
ISL offers external activities related to its diverse curriculum areas, including cultural, linguistic and subject-specific outings for all classes and residential trips for Grades 1–12. On-site enrichment activities cover sports, the arts and local or international community service, with maths clubs, a model-making club and nature and environmental clubs among other sporting, cultural and manual activities. ISL runs a whole-school choir and provides secondary drama and music, and extra language lessons and individual instrument and voice lessons on request.
Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
On-site enrichment activities include secondary drama and music, primary percussion and movement, and a whole-school choir. These activities support creative expression and performance across the school. Students may participate in arts-related clubs and performances as part of the enrichment programme.
Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
ISL offers cultural and linguistic outings for all classes, fostering intercultural understanding. The program includes subject-specific outings and residential trips. The school participates in Model United Nations conferences annually, and hosts the local ILYMUN conference with a sister school, involving around 500 students.
Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
ISL offers a diverse range of clubs and activities beyond the classroom, including a soccer club for boys and girls, a maths club, a model-making club, and nature and environmental clubs. There are various other sporting, cultural and manual activities. ISL Student Councils (Primary and Secondary) are very active in organizing student-led events.
Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
ISL provides opportunities for local or international community service.
Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
ISL Student Councils (Primary and Secondary) are active in organizing student-led activities and events. Primary students are often elected as representatives on the local Youth Council (Conseil Municipal des Jeunes).
Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Sports and outdoor activities are part of enrichment, including a soccer club for boys and girls. The programme also includes movement and percussion for younger pupils and a whole-school choir, contributing to wellbeing and fitness. Nature and environmental clubs offer outdoor learning experiences. Residential trips are offered for Grades 1–12.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
French is compulsory for all students. In Early Years, students are taught as one group within an immersion programme, with a quarter of the day in French. In Grades 1-5, French is taught at Ab Initio, French B and French A with five 40-minute lessons per week, and ESOL support is available for Grades 2-5. The language curriculum has four strands: listening and speaking; viewing and presenting; reading; writing.
Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
The school has a bilingual immersion programme in Early Years (Kindergarten) with 25% of the week in French and the rest in English. Children in Early Years are taught as one group as part of the immersion programme. The school runs a complete English-medium programme for students aged 3-18.
Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
An immersion approach operates in Early Years with a quarter of the school day delivered in French. In Grades 1-5, French is taught at Ab Initio, French B and French A with five 40-minute lessons per week. The program emphasises English-medium instruction across the 3-18 age range.
Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
null
Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
The school is an IB World School authorised for the Primary Years Programme and the Diploma Programme, and it is a registered Cambridge Assessment International Education school. It is a member of ECIS and ELSA. It is regularly inspected by the French National Education Ministry with very positive reports.
Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Applications for admission are accepted throughout the year. A formal decision regarding admission is typically not made until all required documents have been received. The online application is the recommended method for admission; a visit to ISL prior to applying is advisable where possible. The online admissions platform is undergoing an upgrade and will go live on the 16th of March; for questions about admissions, contact the admissions office. 2. Required documents must be uploaded through ISL's online application system. Documents required are: a Student Application Form with one passport-sized photograph; two full years of school transcripts (the most recently completed year and the previous year, with translation if needed); confidential teacher recommendations (Early Years: one from the previous class teacher; Grades 6–12: one from Mathematics and one from English or the relevant mother tongue teacher, sent directly by the applicant's previous school); a copy of vaccination certificates. If a document cannot be obtained, the Director will determine whether there is sufficient information to make an admission decision and may request additional information (translations may be requested if needed). 3. Admission decisions: The decision to admit rests with the Director in consultation with the Primary or Secondary Principal; the school reserves the right to contact a student's previous school to verify records. All students admitted to ISL must have a legal guardian residing in France, and any applicant turning 18 before starting must provide proof of visa before a place can be offered. 4. Acceptance of admission: After required documentation is provided, families are notified usually within one week of application. The accounts department bills the enrolment fee; once this is paid, the place is guaranteed. A tuition contract must be completed and signed before a student may start school; ISL reserves the right to refuse entry to a student whose financial arrangement does not meet these requirements. 5. Waiting lists and related processes: There are currently no waiting lists at ISL; if an application is accepted and no space is available in the appropriate class, the student will be placed on a waiting list and notified. When a place becomes available, it will be offered to a student on the waiting list. Waiting-list selection criteria include siblings already attending or applying, the existing gender balance of the class, background/experience in an IB programme, and any of the Criteria for Admission. 6. Deferrals and re-entries: An accepted or waitlisted applicant may defer the place to the following academic year, provided that the school receives notification in due time and there are spaces available; the admission and enrolment fees are deferrable for one academic year. Students who are enrolled and then leave can re-enter the school at a later date, provided that re-entry occurs no more than two academic years after departure; new application documents may be required. 7. Re-registration: Every February the Admissions Department gathers preliminary information about parents' intentions for the following year and bills families for a 500€ per student deposit for the next school year. Payment of the deposit guarantees a student's place for the following year and will be deducted from the tuition fee; no refund is given if a student leaves in the meantime. 8. Financial aid: The school does not have a bursary system in place, but a special calendar of payment may be put in place following agreement with the Director.
Admissions
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Scholarships
Scholarships
The school does not have a bursary system in place, but a special calendar of payment may be put in place following agreement with the Director.
Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
There are no waiting lists at ISL at present; if an application is accepted and no space is available in the appropriate class, the student will be placed on a waiting list, and the parents will be notified. When a place becomes available in the class, it will be offered to a student on the waiting list. Criteria used to decide which student on the waiting list is offered a place include siblings already attending, existing gender balance of the class, background/experience in an IB programme, and any of the Criteria for Admission.
