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Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon

France, Lyon

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The school at a glance
Instructs in French
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 6 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1992
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, French Curriculum
Taught languages German, English, Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese
Typical class size 27
Strengths Languages, Sport
Stages Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

CSI Lyon is a public school in the French national system that also hosts nine language sections for ages 6 to 18. The campus comprises an elementary, a middle, and a high school, with no kindergarten. Elementary education is free and books are provided; maximum enrollment 567 students in 21 classes of about 27 pupils. Curricula run in French alongside one of nine sections: Anglophone, Arabophone, Germanophone, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Polish, and Chinese, with language-specific instruction in addition to core French subjects. The Anglophone section adds an English-language curriculum and prepares for the BFI at terminale and two iGCSEs in Seconde. ABIBAC is offered in the German–French lycée; other sections lead to OIB or BAC options. The school year runs September to July, with classes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; Wednesday is a non-school day. CSI Lyon provides a bus service and a swimming pool for physical education.

2 Pl. de Montréal, 69007 Lyon, France

The Essentials

Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon has typical class sizes of 27, instruction in French.

Location
2 Place Montréal, 69361 Lyon CEDEX 07, France. The Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon combines an elementary school, a collège, and a lycée on a single site. The CSI offers nine international language sections and serves students from CP to terminale. Dedicated CSI buses connect the school to Lyon and surrounding areas in the mornings and evenings.

Stages
Three divisions exist: an elementary school (no maternelle) serving CP to CM2, a collège, and a lycée. The elementary program serves CP to CM2 with 18 hours of French and 6 hours of language instruction. The school year runs from September to July, with classes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; there is no school on Wednesday.

Type
Public school under the French national education system with international sections. There is no boarding facility.

Pupil Nationality Mix
30 nationalities are represented.

Additional learning support
French as a second language (FLS) and supportive instruction are provided for students who do not master French.

Country affiliation
France

School day structure
Classes run from 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:30 to 16:30; there is a midday break from 12:00 to 13:30.

Bus service
Dedicated CSI buses connect the school to Lyon and surrounding areas in the mornings and evenings.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
The lunch service is provided by Elior and includes an entrée, a hot dish, a cheese course, and a dessert. The elementary school serves midday meals on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; a self-service in the main building serves CE1, CM1, CM2 and two CE2 classes, while a modular building houses a second canteen for CP and the remaining CE2 classes; meals are the same. The App Table app lets parents view weekly menus, and a personalized care plan (PAI) may be arranged on request with the elementary principal; the midday break is a paid service with monthly payments by direct debit, online card, or cheque to the town hall.

House System
MDL stands for Maison des Lycéens and is the CSI lycée's student association. Created October 25, 2011 and amended on February 20, 2018 and November 22, 2024, it aims to develop social relations, democratic practices, citizenship, charity, creativity and teamwork, and to combat discrimination. It is governed by a 10-member board and has a CVL advisor; membership is open to all CSI lycée students who pay annual dues.

Governance and Ownership
The Cité Scolaire Internationale (CSI), or Gerland High School, is a group of schools in Lyon comprising an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school hosting students from 48 nationalities. Its creation was decided in 1988 by the Rhône-Alpes Regional Council due to rising demand for international education, notably linked to Interpol's arrival in Lyon; it opened in 1992.
Fees
Application and admission fees

- There is no separate application or registration fee charged for admission tests or for filing an application to join the Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon (elementary, collège or lycée).

Tuition fees (by year group and per term)

- Elementary (CP–CM2): Tuition fee per term: EUR 0. Tuition fee per school year: EUR 0. Education at the Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon is provided as a public school service and there are no tuition charges for any year group.

- Collège (6ème–3ème): Tuition fee per term: EUR 0. Tuition fee per school year: EUR 0. Education is provided without tuition costs.

- Lycée (Seconde–Terminale): Tuition fee per term: EUR 0. Tuition fee per school year: EUR 0. Education is provided without tuition costs.

Billing schedule and payment terms (paid services only)

- The school does not charge tuition, but families pay for certain paid services (not tuition) such as school meals, périscolaire activities and any optional services. Those services are invoiced and administered through the City of Lyon or the relevant service operator. The City of Lyon calculates canteen and périscolaire tariffs using a municipal family quotient and publishes the tariff bands and a simulator; rates for the school lunch and related activities range from low contributions up to the published maxima (examples: from about EUR 0.80 to EUR 7.30 per midday meal depending on the family quotient; périscolaire forfaits are shown on the municipal tariff pages).

- Inscriptions for municipal catering and périscolaire are annual or semestrial depending on the service (the municipal rules set the periodicity and registration campaign timing). The municipal documents set out the billing periodicity and modalities for fees tied to the canteen and périscolaire times.

Boarding (internat) fees

- The Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon does not operate a boarding (internat) facility; therefore there are no boarding fees.

Other costs and typical family contributions

- School meals (cantine): families pay for school lunches according to the City of Lyon tariff grid (variable by family quotient). Payment methods accepted by the municipality include online card payment, SEPA direct debit, cheque or cash at municipal points.

- Transport and school bus services: where pupils use regional or municipal transport or specific school buses, families may be charged by the transport authority or operator; charges and subscription rules depend on the relevant transport provider and the applicable regional/municipal scheme.

- School trips, excursions and extracurricular activities: costs for optional trips, excursions, residential classes and some extracurricular offerings are billed to families when those activities are optional or external to the normal, state-provided timetable.

- School supplies and textbooks: families meet the cost of personal school supplies and, where applicable, certain textbooks or materials unless otherwise provided by the school or municipal schemes.

- Insurance: parental insurance for school activities (assurance scolaire) is recommended and is required for certain optional activities (for example some outings or overnight stays). Insurance for optional activities is an ordinary family expense; the national consumer/official guidance explains the distinction between mandatory and recommended coverage for public-school activities.

- Voluntary association or membership fees: small, optional contributions for parent associations or student councils may apply if families choose to participate in association services (these are not school tuition).

Refunds and cancellations

- There are no tuition refunds because no tuition is charged. Refunds or pro‑rata credits for paid services (canteen, périscolaire, transport, paid trips) follow the billing and refund rules of the service operator (for municipal canteen and périscolaire services the City of Lyon regulation and tariff documents describe rules on billing, periodicity and how changes or withdrawals are handled). Families should follow the registration and cancellation rules set out in those municipal/regulatory documents for any applicable refunds or adjustments.

Fee payment options

- Online card payment is available for municipal canteen and périscolaire bills. SEPA direct debit (mandate) is available; families can also pay by cheque or cash at designated municipal counters. The school site provides an online payment interface link for other school-administered payable items.

Summary (short)

- Tuition: EUR 0 for all year groups and per term (public schooling).
- Application / admission tests: no separate application fee.
- Boarding: not available (no boarding fees).
- Paid items families typically pay for: meals (cantine), périscolaire activities, transport (if applicable), school trips, supplies and recommended insurance. Municipal canteen/périscolaire tariffs, payment methods and billing rules are set and published by the City of Lyon.
Academics

Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon teaches Cambridge IGCSE, French Curriculum for students aged 6 to 18.

Curriculum
CSI Lyon offers the French national curriculum alongside nine international sections taught in different languages. The school hosts Anglophone, Arabophone, Germanophone (elementary and middle), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Chinese, and Japanese sections. Each section provides language-specific instruction in addition to core French subjects. The Anglophone Section delivers an English-language curriculum in addition to the French curriculum, with the BFI at terminale and two iGCSEs in Seconde. The Arabophone Section offers bilingual instruction with four hours of Arabic language and literature and two hours of History-Geography in Arabic, and BOI and OIB options. The Germanophone Section provides six hours per week of German alongside the French program and uses German-language materials; it becomes ABIBAC at the lycée. Other sections include Spanish (BAC-OIB leading to Bachillerato), Italian (4 hours of Italian language and literature plus 2 hours of History-Geography with Brevet et Bac à option internationale), Portuguese (DNB-OI and OIB), Polish (BFI), Chinese (BFI at the lycée with Chinese language as a DNL and ACL), and Japanese (listed among the international sections).

Higher Education Progression
ABIBAC is a single exam that yields both the French Baccalaureate and the German Abitur, granting direct access to French and German universities. The Anglophone Section grants the French Baccalaureat International (BFI), equivalent to A Levels or AP and enabling entry to Anglophone universities worldwide. The Spanish Section leads to the BAC-OIB (Bachillerato Internacional) for access to Spanish higher education. The Italian and Chinese sections offer international degree pathways (Baccalauréat International with Italian or Chinese language components; ACL; CILS/CELI) and the Portuguese section provides DNB-OI and OIB opportunities, expanding higher-education options.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The CSI Lyon's after-school provisions aim to combine pupils' wellbeing with their academic success. The offerings include the morning reception, the midday break, the PEPS evening program, and the Wednesday workshops. Sessions take place on the school site and are supervised by the head of after-school care and a team of qualified activity leaders. The PEPS evening session runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 16:30 to 18:15, and the Wednesday workshops run from 9:00 to 12:00 or 13:30. The school opens at 8:30, and the after-school provision supports social interaction, containment of routines, and opportunities for rest and focused activity.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The CSI Lyon provides integrated support for learners who need additional help, including French as a Foreign Language (FLE), French as a Second Language (FLS), and Mathématiques Spéciales, as needed. National instruction is integrated into the weekly timetable, and students receive National instruction in their language of Section (for example, FLE/FLS and other language-supported content).

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The Anglophone Section offers an English-language education in addition to the national French curriculum. It serves pupils from primary through lycée, and is the largest Anglophone cohort at CSI Lyon. Terminale students undertake the Baccalauréat Français Internationale (BFI), equivalent to A Levels or AP, and in Seconde they also take two iGCSEs. The Anglophone Section is a private section managed by the Association des Parents d'Elèves de la Section Anglophone (APESA) and is not staffed by private teachers; the Section Head, teachers, and administrative staff are employed directly by APESA.

Mental Wellbeing
The CSI Lyon emphasizes wellbeing within its daily provision. The after-school program and daily routines are designed to support pupils' social and emotional wellbeing, with spaces and activities that promote calm, social interaction, and structured study alongside academic learning.

Safeguarding
The school implements the Phare program for prevention and combatting harassment, with a prevention and anti-harassment plan. A coordinator (Frédérique Jarre) and a resource team (at least five staff members, including Anne Raymond, Samia Khalifa, Elsa Crousier, Damien Bigot, Florence Geib, Candice Blin) oversee implementation, training, and outreach. The program includes student ambassadors (minimum 10) who are trained to detect and report harassment and to lead awareness sessions, and events such as Non-harassment Day and Safer Internet Day. In case of harassment, the school follows the national protocol for handling situations, with escalation to departmental or academic authorities as needed. Parents are guided by a CNED-based training path for families, outlining steps to understand, prevent, detect, and stop harassment; the academic hotline and the national reporting platform can be used for reporting.
Parent Experience

History
The Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon was created in 1987 in Lyon. The elementary school and the middle school were located within the premises of the city hall of the 6th arrondissement on Rue Bossuet. The middle school and high school depended on Lycée Jean Perrin in Lyon's 9th arrondissement. At opening, there were only three sections: Anglophone, German, and Spanish. The teachers of the college and the international high school commuted between Lycée Jean Perrin and the building on the second and third floors of the 6th arrondissement city hall. A larger site was needed to accommodate the new sections wishing to join the international lycée, so a call for bids led to the creation of a new Cité Scolaire Internationale to be established in Gerland in 1992. Mr. Yvan Delbarre was charged with leading the project and became the CSI Lyon's first headteacher; for the elementary school, Madame Suzanne Burlet-Belouze was appointed director. The CSI celebrated its 30th anniversary in June 2023.

Community
The CSI Lyon's community is defined by diversity and acceptance of the Other, fostering a sense of belonging across cultures. Each international section operates within bilateral partnerships between France and partner states, involving both French and foreign students and teachers. The international sections form a bilingual and bicultural framework established by the Ministry of National Education in cooperation with partner countries. For the 30th anniversary, a mural was created in collaboration with a street artist and classes to depict the languages taught and celebrate cultural exchange; the eight panels illustrate languages and the CSI community.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Each international section has a parent association.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon includes an elementary school (no kindergarten), a middle school, and a high school. Elementary education is free and books are provided; the maximum enrollment is 567 students in 21 classes of about 27 pupils. There are nine language sections represented: anglophone, arabophone, chinoise, espagnol, germanophone, italienne, japonaise, polonaise, and portugaise, with language and culture courses taught by foreign teachers in language classrooms. The elementary has its own entrance at 2 Place de Montréal; it is accessible on foot, with the Jonas Salk extension reserved for school buses. The CSI runs its own bus service to Lyon and surrounding areas; the school year runs September to July with classes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and no school on Wednesday. CP and CE1 classes use the on-site swimming pool for physical education.

Sports Facilities
Sports are part of the curriculum. CP and CE1 classes go to the swimming pool for physical education. A swimming pool is the explicitly mentioned sports facility for the elementary section.

Academic Facilities
There are nine language sections represented: anglophone, arabophone, chinoise, espagnol, germanophone, italienne, japonaise, polonaise, and portugaise. The sections are taught by foreign teachers in language classrooms. The teaching load includes 18 hours of French per week and 6 hours of instruction in a foreign language. The staff includes French teachers, teachers of French as a second language (FLS), and foreign teachers. Tests and courses for the anglophone and Japanese sections are paid.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The school offers paid extracurricular activities in the morning, with no school on Wednesdays but morning activities are provided. The midday break includes a meal and time for activities; the service is paid. The elementary restaurant service is provided by Elior, with a main-building self-service for CE1-CM2 and a modular-building cantine for CP and two CE2 classes; meals are the same. Menus are available via the App Table app. A personalized accommodation plan (PAI) can be arranged on request.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school has nine international sections: Anglophone, Arabophone, Germanophone (elementary and middle school), Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Polish, and Chinese. It also has a bilingual ABIBAC section (German–French) at the lycée level.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught through International Sections are English, Arabic, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Chinese, and Japanese. The CSI Lyon offers sections from elementary through high school, including Anglophone (English-language program), ABIBAC (German-French), BAC-OIB (Spanish), and the Chinese BFI (French International Baccalaureate) track; The Anglophone, Germanophone, Spanish, Chinese, and other sections are listed as part of the school's international offerings.

Bilingual Teaching
The Anglophone Section provides an English-language curriculum (native or near-native level) in addition to the French national curriculum for students whose mother tongue is English. In Seconde, students take two iGCSEs; in Terminale they pursue the French International Baccalaureate (BFI), which is equivalent to A Levels or the AP. The Anglophone Section is privately run by the Association des Parents d'Elèves de la Section Anglophone (APESA); CSI does not employ private teachers, and APESA directly hires the Head of Section, the teachers, and administrative staff.

Immersion Programs
The CSI Lyon hosts nine International Sections: Anglophone, Arabophone, Germanophone (elementary and middle), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Chinese, and Japanese, providing immersion in their languages and cultures. The Chinese International Section began in 2008 and now serves primary, middle, and high school, with 168 students (2024-2025) across levels, and a team including Chinese-language teachers appointed by the Chinese Ministry and a French-language coordinator. In high school, the Chinese section offers the French International Baccalaureate (BFI) with three components: DNL Maths Chinese, ACL (Culture and Language Deepening), and CdM (Knowledge of the World); the weekly schedule includes at least four hours of Chinese language and literature plus two hours of Chinese-language mathematics, aiming to produce bilingual and bicultural graduates. The Germanophone section operates as a bilingual track with six hours per week of German language instruction and German-language materials; at the lycée level, ABIBAC is a binational option (combining Abitur and Baccalaureate in one exam). The ABIBAC and BAC-OIB tracks are part of the school's international offerings, including the ABIBAC section and the Spanish BAC-OIB option.
Admissions

Admissions
Registration at the Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon is reserved for children who already speak fluently one of our nine languages: German, English, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, Polish, Portuguese. Registrations begin on January 5, 2026 and are conducted in five steps.

Step 1: Presentation of the elementary school and its sections. Before beginning the registration process, you must read and view the general presentations of the elementary school and of your section. They are accessible via the following links: General presentation article of the school, accessible here. Videos presenting the school and its sections, accessible here.

Step 2: Requesting the registration file. Parents wishing to enroll their child(ren) in the elementary school may submit a registration file request. The registration file request is completed by filling out the registration file request form, accessible here from January 5, 2026.

Step 3: Sending the registration file. The registration file is sent to you by email. The email subject should be in the format: LastName-FirstName-Language-Level (example: Durand-Paul-German-CE2).

Note: any incomplete file will be rejected.

Step 4: Admission tests. An email is sent to families at the end of May: to inform those whose registration files were not retained (late submission, incomplete, insufficient exposure to the foreign language, etc.). To summon children whose registrations have been retained for admission tests. The tests aim to verify the children's knowledge and to visualize their mother tongue level, their French level and math level, and their ability to follow a dual curriculum. The admission tests will take place on June 17, 2026; June 24, June 25 and June 26, 2026. They are conducted in person.

Step 5: Communication of results. The admissions deliberation committee meets on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The results are published on the CSI site on Friday, July 3, 2026 starting at 6:00 PM.

Useful information: The number of places in the elementary school is limited and admission is granted based on available places. At entry into CP (Cours Préparatoire), all places are available (96). For other levels, few places are available due to rising enrollment. For levels CE1 to CM2, available places depend on departures.

Final admissions are granted in the following priority order: 1. Child of institutional partners: Interpol, CIRC, Collégium, Diplomatic Corps 2) Non-French-speaking child arriving from abroad 3) French-speaking child arriving from abroad 4) Child already enrolled in France

Sincerely, The Elementary School Administration.
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