Parent's Review of Haut Sartoux Primary Anglophone Section in Valbonne, France

What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)

Haut Sartoux Primary Anglophone Section

In what town or city is this school located?

Valbonne

How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)

The Anglophone section is primarily British, but the classes are part of the National Education system. Half the day is spent with a native French teacher and half the day is spent with a native English teacher.

What grade levels are represented at this school?

CP-CM2 (1st-5th grades)

How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)

Most of the children in the school are residents of the surrounding commune, so they walk. But parents of the international sections (they are English and German for the moment) can come from several cities over, so they come by car. A school bus is provided for the residents of Valbonne, I believe, but we take the kids by car since they are so young.

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

As is the norm in France, extracurricular activities are not provided through the school, but by various clubs and associations in each town. But ASEICA, the organization providing the Anglophone section, organizes quite a few activities and social events. This organization also works tightly with the school administration to integrate the international students with the rest of the student body (which is mostly French).

So far this year, they've had a 3-day poney-riding lesson, which the kids loved. They also had a show where they wore costumes and sang. And several other shows.

What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?

I don't know since my children were born here and went to a French pre-school (maternelle). I don't really believe there is a repatriation program. This is national education school, so they sort of assume that once you've entered, you will continue on to the CIV.

How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?

There is a parent-teacher organization and through ASEICA, there are lots of social events. Very kind parents volunteer to host social events in their houses. I find the atmosphere very warm and inviting.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?

There is an entrance exam every year and there is a lot of demand with very few openings. If your child is not going into CP, try anyway. The number of available places in the CE1-CM2 grades announced on the website may not accurately reflect reality.

I highly recommend this school. I think the teaching is wonderful and the international community is very inviting. If my child didn't know any French, I would get them started on it because the learning is fast-paced and the kids need to keep up. Seeing as how the children were selected through a test, the level of ability is quite high.