Compare 4 international schools in Montpellier, France. Filter by curriculum, fees (average EUR 6,813), location, and more to find the right international school now.
About international schools in Montpellier, France
Montpellier’s international-school scene is a mix of small private bilingual schools, bilingual Montessori provision and a few full 2 - 18 campuses that combine the French national curriculum with international pathways such as Cambridge IGCSE or the International Baccalaureate (IB). Instruction is most commonly bilingual French - English, with additional modern languages offered as pupils move through the school; many schools also publish targeted support for non-French speakers. Annual fees for local private bilingual schools typically sit in the low-to-mid thousands of euros per year (examples in the region show schools from roughly €4,000 up to around €8 - 9,000), while larger international group campuses in the wider Provence region charge substantially more. Admissions are handled school-by-school: some local schools accept registrations year-round with visits and interview steps, while state “sections internationales” (free) and some selective tracks follow Académie application windows - so relocating families should allow time for visits, language assessments and contract/deposit procedures.
What curricula and end qualifications do international schools in Montpellier typically offer?
Many Montpellier international schools teach the French national programme alongside a substantial proportion of lessons in English and may add Cambridge IGCSEs or prepare older pupils for the International Baccalaureate (IB) or the French Baccalauréat; some schools therefore offer dual or hybrid pathways. Smaller bilingual or Montessori schools focus on a bilingual French - English programme at nursery and primary levels and may partner with exam-route providers for secondary years.
How much should families expect to pay in annual fees?
Fees vary by school and by age: recent published schedules for Montpellier area schools show examples around €5,000 per year for kindergarten and primary at private bilingual schools, roughly €5,800 for some middle-school years, and local Montessori schools listing rates in the mid-to-high €6,000s to €8,000s depending on household banding. Nearby larger international group campuses in the region publish higher tariffs (well into the tens of thousands for some year groups), so it is important to check the full fee contract and extra costs (registration, exams, transport, meals) with each school.
When should we apply and what does the admissions process look like?
Private bilingual schools in Montpellier commonly run guided visits, an interview or family meeting and an online application or pre-registration, and many accept new pupils on a rolling basis during the year; schools usually require an application fee and a signed financial contract with a deposit or registration charge. Public “sections internationales” and some selective state tracks follow the Académie’s calendar and selection windows (usually handled in the spring for the following school year), so families aiming for those free places must follow the official application timetable. Allow several weeks for visits, assessments and paperwork when planning a move.
What languages are used and what support exists for non-French speakers?
Most international schools in the Montpellier area advertise bilingual French - English instruction from nursery or primary, and many provide structured French as a Foreign Language (FLE) and personalised integration support for children arriving with little or no French. Smaller bilingual or Montessori settings emphasise immersion and multi-age classes at early years, while larger schools typically run targeted language classes and learning-support programmes as pupils progress. Families should ask each school how much daily teaching is in English and how language support is delivered.
What should relocating parents look for when choosing a school in Montpellier?
Check the curriculum and final qualifications offered (French Bac, IB, Cambridge), the school’s language balance and provision for non-French speakers, published fees and what extras are charged, and the practicalities of location and transport. Also review pastoral and special-needs support, class sizes, inspection or accreditation status (for example IB World School listings) and the school’s admissions timetable so you can plan visits and paperwork before your move. Request the current fee schedule, the school’s contract and sample timetables to compare offerings directly.
