International School of Paris

A Microcosm of the World in the 16th Arrondissement

The International School of Paris is, in many ways, a miniature United Nations. With students from over 65 nationalities — approximately 75% holding non-French passports — the school's daily life is shaped by genuine cultural plurality. French families, expatriate professionals, diplomatic families, and international business relocators all send their children to ISP, creating a community that mirrors the global nature of modern Paris.

Three Campuses, One School

ISP operates across three distinct campuses, each serving a different age group:

• Ranelagh Campus (Primary, Nursery–Grade 5): Located at 96 bis, Rue du Ranelagh, 75016. Two converted residential buildings connected by a celebrated 'secret door,' with playgrounds, art and music spaces, and a library. Nearest metro: Line 9 Ranelagh.
• Cortambert Campus (Middle School, Grades 6–9): At 45, Rue Cortambert, 75116. Features science laboratories, a gymnasium, and outdoor sports areas. Nearest metro: Line 9 Rue de la Pompe.
• Beethoven Campus (High School, Grades 10–12): At 6, Rue Beethoven, 75016. Situated near the Seine, housing the IB Diploma laboratories, a large auditorium, cafeteria, and performing arts facilities. Nearest metro: Line 6 Passy.

This distributed model allows each campus to develop a distinct atmosphere appropriate to its age group, while a shared curriculum, values framework, and community events maintain coherence across the school.

Mother Tongue and Language Support

Language is at the heart of ISP's community identity. The school provides mother-tongue support in French, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, and other languages — not as an afterthought but as a core offering. French is compulsory from Nursery. This investment in multilingualism means students do not have to sacrifice their home language identity to succeed in an English-medium school. The result is that over 50% of IB Diploma graduates earn a Bilingual Diploma, one of the highest rates among Paris international schools.

Extended Curriculum

With over 25 documented extracurricular activities — from Model UN and sustainability projects to capoeira, life drawing, and VR/AR exploration — ISP's extended curriculum reflects the same diversity as its student body. Activities span Primary and Secondary levels and are led by both ISP teachers and external specialists.

Educating for Complexity

The International School of Paris is built around a single, powerful philosophical idea: Educating for Complexity. This vision statement, published officially in the school's handbook and website, encapsulates ISP's belief that 21st-century learners must be equipped not merely with knowledge, but with the adaptability, critical thinking, and intercultural awareness to navigate an increasingly interconnected and unpredictable world.

The Seven Guiding Statements

ISP articulates this philosophy through seven Guiding Statements that inform curriculum design, pastoral care, and community life:

1. Diversity — embracing 65+ nationalities as a strength
2. Inquiry — inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning at every level
3. Wellbeing — holistic support for students' physical and emotional health
4. Innovation — fostering creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking
5. Global Citizenship — preparing students to act responsibly on a world stage
6. Language Learning — multilingualism as a core academic and personal asset
7. Service — community engagement woven into the curriculum

IB as the Pedagogical Vehicle

ISP is the only school in France to offer the complete International Baccalaureate continuum — PYP (Primary Years Programme), MYP (Middle Years Programme), and DP (Diploma Programme) — from age 3 through to 18. This unbroken IB journey means students develop consistent habits of mind: questioning, reflecting, and connecting learning across disciplines. The MYP's emphasis on interdisciplinary units and the DP's Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge component are particularly aligned with the school's complexity-oriented ethos.

Mission in Practice

ISP's official mission statement reads: "As the leading International Baccalaureate World School in France, we prepare our students to engage with and succeed in a complex world." This is not merely aspirational language — it is operationalised through small class sizes (average 11–12 students), mother-tongue language support across seven languages, and a rich extended curriculum spanning Model UN, sustainability projects, VR/AR technology exploration, and community service.

The school's consistent outperformance of the IB world average (ISP average ~33 points versus the global average of ~30) suggests that this philosophy translates into measurable academic outcomes — without sacrificing the inclusive, non-selective admissions approach the school deliberately maintains.

A School Born from a City's International Hunger

In 1964, Monique Porter — responding to the need for quality English-language education among Paris's growing expatriate and diplomatic community — founded Pershing Hall School. The institution began in modest circumstances: a former American veterans' club building, with six students of various nationalities including the daughter of the Rwandan ambassador. From this intimate beginning, the school would grow into the International School of Paris, today educating over 750 students from more than 65 countries.

Years of Movement and Growth

The school's early history was characterised by geographic instability. Operating from various temporary premises across Paris during the late 1960s and early 1970s, ISP gradually built its reputation and student body. The decisive turning point came in 1975, when the school moved to its permanent home at 96 bis, Rue du Ranelagh in the 16th arrondissement and formally adopted the name International School of Paris.

Building a Continuum

ISP's secondary provision expanded significantly during the 1980s:

• 1981: Achieved accreditation from both the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) — a dual milestone that cemented ISP's international credibility.
• 1982: Authorised as an IB World School, one of the earliest in France.
• 1983: The Chardin campus opened to serve middle school students.
• 1985: The Beethoven campus was established on Rue Beethoven, near the Seine, to house the high school (Grades 10–12).

A Stable Foundation for the 21st Century

The three-campus model — Ranelagh (Primary), Cortambert (Middle), Beethoven (High) — has remained the school's structural backbone. Leadership transitions have been managed carefully: in July 2024, Antoine Delaitre became Head of School, continuing a tradition of experienced international educators at the helm. With over six decades of continuous operation, ISP stands as one of the most established international schools in continental Europe.

Strong Academic Outcomes Without Selectivity

One of the most striking characteristics of the International School of Paris is its ability to deliver consistently strong IB Diploma results while maintaining a broadly non-selective admissions policy. Many schools that outperform the IB world average do so by selecting only the most academically able students. ISP's approach is different: it admits students on a rolling, first-come-first-served basis (subject to age and English proficiency requirements) and still produces results well above the global benchmark.

IB Diploma Results (2023–2025)

For context, the IB world average score is approximately 30 points, and the global pass rate hovers around 79–80%. ISP's scores of 32–33 represent a consistent 2–3 point premium over the global average.

What Drives These Outcomes?

Several structural factors contribute to ISP's academic performance:

• Small class sizes: With an average of 11–12 students per class and a student-teacher ratio of approximately 6.5:1, teachers can provide personalised attention and feedback.
• Unbroken IB continuum: Students who enter ISP in Primary are already fluent in IB's approaches to learning — inquiry, reflection, self-management — by the time they reach the Diploma Programme.
• Multilingual environment: Over 50% of graduates earn a Bilingual IB Diploma, reflecting ISP's deep commitment to mother-tongue and second language development alongside English instruction.
• Inclusive philosophy: The school explicitly describes itself as an "inclusive IB World School," indicating that results are achieved across the full range of its student body rather than a selected elite cohort.

University Preparation

While ISP does not publish detailed university destination data, the IB Diploma's universal recognition means graduates proceed to universities across Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond. The high bilingual diploma rate and strong DP scores position ISP graduates competitively for selective institutions worldwide.

An Inclusive Approach to Admissions

Unlike many international schools of comparable academic standing, the International School of Paris does not employ selective entrance examinations or formal interviews as gatekeepers. The school's admissions philosophy aligns with its broader educational ethos: that a genuinely diverse, inclusive community produces stronger learners and more empathetic global citizens.

How Admissions Works

Applications are accepted on a rolling, year-round basis. There is no fixed annual deadline — places are offered as they become available, and families are encouraged to apply as early as possible to secure a position. When a year group is full, applicants are placed on a waiting list and contacted when vacancies arise.

The process involves:

1. Application submission with a non-refundable fee of €1,200
2. Document review: recent school reports, evidence of English proficiency (for older students), and any relevant assessments
3. Place offer: if a space is available and the student meets age and language criteria
4. Enrollment confirmation: secured by payment of the €10,000 entry fee (applicable for Grades 1–12, first-time entrants only)

English Proficiency Requirements

For most grade levels, ISP requires age-appropriate English proficiency but does not mandate standardised test scores. For Grade 11 and 12 entrants, the school recommends demonstrating at least CEFR B1 English proficiency, with B2 strongly preferred. Accepted evidence includes IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge B2 First, or equivalent assessments. Students entering Grade 10 with weaker English may be conditionally admitted with a requirement to achieve proficiency before promotion to Grade 11.

No Interviews — But Engagement Matters

Formal student interviews are not a standard part of the admissions process, making ISP accessible to families relocating internationally who cannot attend in person. However, the school may schedule an informal online meeting in certain circumstances. This low-barrier approach is particularly valued by diplomatic and expatriate families, who often have limited lead time before a move.

Financial Commitments

ISP is transparent about its fee structure. The €1,200 application fee is non-refundable and paid at the point of application. The €10,000 entry fee (enrollment fee) is a one-time charge for new students in Grades 1–12. Annual tuition ranges from €25,500 (Nursery–Pre-K) to €39,000 (Grades 10–12). Limited financial aid is available on a single-year basis for families in need, though no formal scholarship programme exists.