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International School 33

France, Bordeaux

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The school at a glance
Instructs in French, English
Fees €6,210 - 16,094
Ages 2 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), French Curriculum
Taught languages Spanish, German, Mandarin, Russian, French, English
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

International School 33 offers an integrated IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) plus the Career-related Programme, alongside the French National Education curriculum. The school serves ages 2 to 18 as an international institution based in France, with a focus on bilingual education. In the primary cycle, core subjects are taught in equal French and English, with a bilingual approach and two days per week in each language. Cambridge exams are part of the programme, with Cambridge Young Learners available and a reported 100% pass rate, and Cambridge exam preparation provided annually. The campus comprises two modern buildings 500 metres apart: Building 1 (kindergarten to grade 8) and Building 2 (grades 9 to 12). Facilities include a library, science laboratory, visual arts rooms, interactive screens, tablets and 3D printers, plus outdoor space and a dojo for sport. The school emphasises wellbeing, field trips, and a range of arts, sport, and service activities.

47 Av. de la Poterie, 33170 Gradignan, France

The Essentials

International School 33 has instruction in French, English.

Location
47 avenue de la Poterie, 33170 Gradignan, France

Stages
Kindergarten (ages 2-6), Elementary (ages 6-12), Middle School (ages 11-16)

Type
Private international school

Additional learning support
Small classes (15-20 pupils per class) with personalised follow-up. Tutoring, methodology and remediation sessions are integrated into the timetable to reinforce independence and confidence.

Country affiliation
France

School day structure
Full-day program with bilingual instruction. Kindergarten day runs 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. with two French days and two English days; daycare is available from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Lunch is provided in the kindergarten program. Daycare runs from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm and includes meals. A canteen option is available and billed separately.

Governance and Ownership
IS33 is a partner of Ermitage International School Bordeaux. Ermitage Education is a network of international schools with offices in France and Belgium.
Fees

Annual tuition at International School 33 ranges from EUR 6,210 to EUR 16,094 for 2026/27.

Application / initial registration fees

- First registration fee (per child): EUR 600 (1st child), EUR 549 (2nd child), EUR 466 (3rd child).
- Family development fund (one-off, per family): EUR 983.
- These initial costs are indicated as non‑refundable; an initial withdrawal period of 7 days applies to the registration.

Tuition fees by school level (2025–2026) — annual totals and instalments

Note: fees are shown by household income category. The school applies 6 categories based on taxable reference income to determine the fee level. Tuition is invoiced as an annual total and is paid by monthly direct debit over 10 instalments (see Payment Terms). Annual totals below include the administrative charge shown on the school fee grid.

- Category 1 (Taxable income up to EUR 54,000):
- Kindergarten (2–6 years): Admin EUR 155; School EUR 6,210; Annual total EUR 6,365 (≈ EUR 637/month).
- Elementary (6–12 years): Admin EUR 207; School EUR 6,831; Annual total EUR 7,038 (≈ EUR 704/month).
- Middle school (12–15 years): Admin EUR 259; School EUR 7,452; Annual total EUR 7,711 (≈ EUR 771/month).
- High School (15–18 years): Admin EUR 414; School EUR 8,073; Annual total EUR 8,487 (≈ EUR 849/month).

- Category 2 (EUR 54,001–EUR 73,516):
- Kindergarten: Admin EUR 176; School EUR 6,728; Annual total EUR 6,904 (≈ EUR 690/month).
- Elementary: Admin EUR 207; School EUR 7,400; Annual total EUR 7,607 (≈ EUR 761/month).
- Middle school: Admin EUR 279; School EUR 8,073; Annual total EUR 8,352 (≈ EUR 835/month).
- High School: Admin EUR 435; School EUR 8,746; Annual total EUR 9,181 (≈ EUR 918/month).

- Category 3 (EUR 73,517–EUR 120,000):
- Kindergarten: Admin EUR 207; School EUR 7,245; Annual total EUR 7,452 (≈ EUR 745/month).
- Elementary: Admin EUR 259; School EUR 7,970; Annual total EUR 8,229 (≈ EUR 823/month).
- Middle school: Admin EUR 311; School EUR 8,694; Annual total EUR 9,005 (≈ EUR 901/month).
- High School: Admin EUR 466; School EUR 9,522; Annual total EUR 9,988 (≈ EUR 999/month).

- Category 4 (EUR 120,001–EUR 158,122):
- Kindergarten: Admin EUR 228; School EUR 7,814; Annual total EUR 8,042 (≈ EUR 804/month).
- Elementary: Admin EUR 279; School EUR 8,591; Annual total EUR 8,870 (≈ EUR 887/month).
- Middle school: Admin EUR 331; School EUR 9,419; Annual total EUR 9,750 (≈ EUR 975/month).
- High School: Admin EUR 486; School EUR 10,350; Annual total EUR 10,836 (≈ EUR 1,084/month).

- Category 5 (EUR 158,123–EUR 200,000):
- Kindergarten: Admin EUR 259; School EUR 8,435; Annual total EUR 8,694 (≈ EUR 869/month).
- Elementary: Admin EUR 311; School EUR 9,263; Annual total EUR 9,574 (≈ EUR 957/month).
- Middle school: Admin EUR 362; School EUR 10,868; Annual total EUR 11,230 (≈ EUR 1,123/month).
- High School: Admin EUR 518; School EUR 12,420; Annual total EUR 12,938 (≈ EUR 1,294/month).

- Category 6 (Taxable income over EUR 200,000):
- Kindergarten: Admin EUR 311; School EUR 9,108; Annual total EUR 9,419 (≈ EUR 942/month).
- Elementary: Admin EUR 362; School EUR 10,040; Annual total EUR 10,402 (≈ EUR 1,040/month).
- Middle school: Admin EUR 414; School EUR 12,524; Annual total EUR 12,938 (≈ EUR 1,294/month).
- High School: Admin EUR 569; School EUR 15,525; Annual total EUR 16,094 (≈ EUR 1,609/month).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition and administrative charges are invoiced as an annual total and must be paid by automatic direct debit in 10 monthly instalments. No single‑payment option is required.
- All invoices must be paid by the due date. A payment incident will incur a surcharge of 10%. A delay in payment of more than 30 days may result in the pupil being excluded.
- Fee category is determined by the household taxable reference income; categories 1–5 require a copy of the tax assessment (TI 2024) to qualify. Without proof by the second week of September, Category 6 will be applied automatically.

Boarding

- International School 33 operates as a day school (no boarding facilities). There are no boarding fees.

Other costs and optional fees

- Uniform: not included in tuition; families incur the cost of school uniform.
- Meals / Canteen: not included; options are family‑prepared lunchboxes or delivered catered meals (charged separately).
- Transport: optional and charged separately.
- Language option fees (2025–2026): 1 hour/week EUR 500 per year; 2 hours/week EUR 850 per year.
- French Language B (compulsory for students with no knowledge of French): EUR 2,200 per year.
- After‑school care (daycare) rates (examples): morning care and evening care fees vary by level and time slot (examples shown on the school FAQ: mornings from EUR 2 / EUR 1.50; evenings until 5pm EUR 5 / EUR 5.50; further hourly brackets listed).
- Extra‑curricular activities, external exam fees (HSK, Cambridge, Cervantes, IB), school supplies, study trips, and specific federation memberships are charged separately.

Discounts and company support

- Sibling discounts on tuition: second child −10%; third child and subsequent −15% (applied to tuition fees). Special company charge‑back rates are available for employer‑sponsored fees.

Refunds and contract termination

- Initial registration fees and the family development fund are indicated as non‑refundable. A 7‑day withdrawal period applies to the initial registration.
- If a pupil leaves during the school year, a written notice of two months (sent to the secretariat with acknowledgement of receipt) is required.

Fee payment method(s)

- The school requires payment by automatic direct debit (prélèvement automatique) over 10 monthly instalments. Details for company support and special invoicing options are handled by the admissions office. No public listing for credit‑card or alternative payment methods is provided on the rates/FAQ pages.

Notes on optional items and penalties

- Optional items (uniform, meals, transport, language options, extracurriculars, exam fees, trips) are invoiced separately from core tuition. Late or failed payments incur a 10% surcharge; >30 days overdue may lead to exclusion.
Academics

International School 33 teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), French Curriculum for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
IS33 offers the International Baccalaureate continuum starting with the Primary Years Programme from kindergarten, incorporating Montessori pedagogy and English–French bilingualism. Core subjects are taught in both languages with a 50/50 French-English distribution, and two days per week are taught in French and two in English in the primary cycle. Cambridge exams are part of the programme, with Cambridge Young Learners offered and a 100% success rate reported in Cambridge exams, and Cambridge exam preparation provided annually. The four IB programmes are the Primary Programme (kindergarten–grade 5), Middle Years Programme (grade 6–10), International Baccalaureate Diploma (grade 11–12) and Career-related Programme (grade 11–12).

Student Teacher Ratio
Class size is 15–20 students.

Exam Results
Cambridge exam preparation is provided every year and students take Cambridge English Qualifications with strong results. The school offers Cambridge Young Learners exams, and there is a 100% success rate reported for Cambridge exams in the elementary cycle. Cambridge exam preparation and related certifications are integrated into the curriculum to support students' academic development.

Higher Education Progression
Universities and colleges benefit from IB education, with IB graduates typically pursuing undergraduate degrees and postgraduate studies. IB students are positioned for admission to prestigious universities and programs, including examples such as Ecole Polytechnique, HEC Paris, University of Oxford, and Harvard University.

Gifted and Talented
Teachers at IS33 work with children who have high intellectual potential, allowing them to develop at their own pace while accounting for their sensitivity and individual needs.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school places students at the heart of its educational project, with particular attention paid to their well-being and development. A focus on personal development, self-confidence and individual sensitivity is central. Students develop strong social and emotional skills.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Small classes and personalised support for each student.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
French-English bilingualism from kindergarten and throughout primary school; all subjects are taught in both languages. Additional language options include Spanish and Mandarin Chinese; Enhanced English as a second language; French as a foreign or second language.

Mental Wellbeing
The educational mission focuses on well-being and development. The goal is to enable students to be happy to go to work, to be respected as individuals, to have self-confidence, to respect others and to feel at ease in their environment. The school provides a calm and stimulating working environment to support well-being.
Parent Experience

Community
IS33 fosters a close, multilingual community near Bordeaux with small classes and a caring, international orientation. Class sizes are 15–20 pupils, enabling personalised support for each student. The campus comprises two modern buildings about 500 metres apart on a green site, with an 1800 m² garden and access to a range of cultural, artistic, scientific and linguistic activities, including regular school trips in France and abroad. Extra-curricular life includes robotics, theatre, music, and Model United Nations, contributing to a dynamic school culture.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
IS33 Association coordinates school life and international programs, including Erasmus+ mobility projects organized and co-financed by Erasmus+. The school's life features a broad calendar of events: culture-centered trips in France and Europe and university visits around the world, enriching student experiences. International celebrations (Halloween, Holi, Saint- Patrick, Christmas) are held as part of IS33's global culture week, fostering intercultural understanding. Performances and artistic projects, such as annual song and dance shows and eloquence presentations, are regular features of IS33 life. Family-focused gatherings strengthen community ties, including an end‑of‑year kermesse, dancing evenings, Welcome potluck, and family meetings.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The IS33 campus consists of two modern buildings 500 metres apart. Building 1 covers 850 m² and serves Kindergarten to Grade 8, while Building 2 covers 480 m² for Grades 9 to 12. Building 1 was refurbished in 2019 and includes a library, science laboratory, visual arts rooms, interactive screens, and computers in every classroom, with tablets and 3D printers. There is 1800 m² of playground space with play structures, a football and basketball area, and a kindergarten playground, plus a 1000 m² secure outdoor area around Building 2. A dojo supports judo, sports and motor-skills classes; both buildings feature spacious outdoor spaces to support learning and pupil wellbeing.

Sports Facilities
There is a football and basketball area within the 1800 m² playground. A dojo supports judo, sports and motor-skills classes. Both buildings have spacious playgrounds, and there is a 1000 m² secure outdoor area for outdoor activity.

Academic Facilities
IS33 is housed in two modern buildings 500 metres apart, with workspaces adapted to each level. Building 1 (850 m²) includes a library, science laboratory, visual arts rooms, interactive screens, and digital tools such as tablets and 3D printers. Building 2 (480 m²) provides large examination rooms, quiet study areas and laboratories. Refurbishments in 2019 refreshed spaces to be bright and welcoming. Outdoor spaces include 1800 m² playground and a 1000 m² secure outdoor area to support learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities
IS33 offers varied extra-curricular activities and a rich school life, including international events. From kindergarten onward, students participate in weekly physical activities and artistic activities such as music and art, supporting personal development.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
IS33 is an IB World School offering the four continuum programmes: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP). The Primary Years Programme begins in kindergarten. The French National Education curriculum is taught in parallel.

Arts & Creative
IS33 provides weekly art and music sessions. Kindergarten includes two performances per year and offers piano and guitar. Extra-curricular activities include theatre, hip-hop, musical comedy, piano, guitar, violin, programming and tennis; robotics and MUN are also offered.

Cultural & Language
Bilingual teaching begins from nursery with two days per week in French and two days per week in English, with teachers speaking only their mother tongue. In addition to bilingualism, IS33 offers Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, German and Russian as language options. Cambridge English Qualifications are prepared annually.

Social & Hobbies
Extracurricular activities include robotics, theatre, music and MUN. After-school offerings include theatre, hip-hop, musical comedy, piano, guitar, violin, programming and tennis. The school also organises field trips and cultural, artistic and scientific activities.

Community & Service
In the Diploma Programme, Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) is included as community involvement. The IB programmes emphasise global awareness and social responsibility.

Leadership & Professional
Model United Nations (MUN) is offered as an extracurricular activity. Robotics, theatre and other activities provide opportunities for teamwork and project-based learning.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
IS33 runs weekly sport classes and judo every week from age 4. The campus features an 1800 m² garden, a renovated building and direct access to Stade d'Ornon for sports. After-school daycare and homework help are available, and the school emphasises the well-being of the whole child (well-being in body, mind and spirit).
Languages

Language Provision
French-English bilingual instruction starts at kindergarten and continues through primary, with all subjects taught in both languages. Additional languages offered include Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, with Enhanced English as a second language and French as a foreign or second language available for language support. Cambridge English Qualifications are prepared for every year, and DELF junior, Cervantes and HSK language qualifications are offered. IB is offered across four programmes (Primary, Middle Years, Diploma and Career-related Programme), and exams may be taken in French, English or bilingual tracks.

Bilingual Teaching
From kindergarten onwards, teaching is bilingual in English and French; all subjects are taught in both languages, with teachers delivering lessons in their mother tongue. In secondary school, bilingual pupils join the international section to study English language and literature and sit bilingual IB exams. Non-bilingual students join a dedicated section with language support to progress at their own pace.

Immersion Programs
Immersion from nursery level in French, English, Spanish and Chinese, with native teachers. Immersion is integrated across the curriculum to develop language proficiency and cultural openness. The multilingual environment supports international-mindedness.
Admissions

Admissions
1. File online — Fill in the application form. The admissions process is open year-round, subject to availability. Admission is based on the application and an interview; there is no academic entrance test. The International Baccalaureate Diploma is recognized by the French state and is integrated into Parcoursup. 2. Family interviews — Meet with management to discuss the educational project and your child's goals. This interview helps assess compatibility with the international bilingual program. You may be asked about your child's learning needs and expectations. 3. Visit the campus — Get to know the school and its teaching team during a campus visit. The visit allows you to see the school in operation and to ask questions about programs and daily routines. A representative guides you through facilities and daytime activities. 4. Decision — You will receive a decision within 10 days of the interview and campus visit. Admission decisions are based on the application and interview; no entrance exam is required. The enrollment decision is communicated with the next steps for registration. 5. Finalisation — Complete administrative registration to finalize enrollment. Provide the required documents and confirm the starting date. Subsequent onboarding information will be provided.
School Events
The school has not added events
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