This is not the greatest school. The standards of academics are very low. The school board doesn't…read morecare about the education of the existing students, just about accepting more and more new students. The class sizes have become much bigger than was promised, and there aren't enough classrooms or laptops for the abundance of students. Also, only the grade 6 and 7 students get to really eat lunch in the lunch room, as grade 8 and 9 are not allowed in until 12:45 and by then all the food has been eaten by the younger kids (there is no kitchen in the school). The sports and ECAs are also pretty dismal. Teachers don't use textbooks at all. There also isn't much communication with the parents, and the school nurse is never there. There are also discipline issues and behavioural issues.
There are rumours that the kids in the primary are reading and doing maths that is two years behind other schools.
For the amount of money we pay, students don't get a lot of things. You have to buy your own school supplies, laptop, school meals (often students spend 100 euros in two months on cold, overpriced and unhealthy garbage meals such as paninis and donuts), as well as a 75 euro calculator (all of which the school should be providing for the extortianate amount of money we pay). As well as all of this, the outdoor space is pathetic and crowded. The school doesn't take it's students out to a park like it used to. The lockers are also tiny and do not fit the many, MANY notebooks students are forced to buy. The sports facilities are non existant. Students have to travel one hour by bus once a week for 1 hour of PE, and then one hour back. They are assessed on their essay writing skills for sports rather than physical activity.
However, students do say that the pastoral care is good and that most staff are commited to wellbeing. Most students make good friends, and the diploma programme is supposed to be quite good. Their design department is EXCELLENT (teachers are very committed).
Overall, this school is alright if you are looking for just a short stay in Paris, as the students are used to new people and they can make friends rapidly. However, if you are looking for something more academically rigorous, there are better schools in and around Paris. Consider these points before enrolling your child in the International School of Paris (particularly the Primary and Middle schools).
