Parent's Review of American Section Lycée International de St Germain in St Germain en Laye, France, France

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

American Section Lycée International de St Germain

In what town or city is this school located?

St Germain en Laye, France

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

French public school with a private international section giving 6-8 hours of native level instruction per week

What grade levels are represented at this school?

PreK through 12th grade (moyenne section through Terminale)

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

There is an extensive bus network, comprised of both private and public buses. Parents also carpool.

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

The facilities are not stellar - but they will be renovated in the not so distant future. The campus is beautiful however, and the teaching staff is excellent. There are many more extra-curriculars that at most French schools, ranging from soccer, chess, theater, orchestras, a capella singing groups, literary magazines, bio-ethics club, Human Rights team, MUN...

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?

The American Section curriculum is designed so that students can move to another American school and be totally at level with their language skills. Math, sciences, languages, music, art etc... are all taught in accordance with the French curriculum. There is a special adaptation program for non-French speakers designed to teach the French in one year, after which they integrate mainstream French classes.

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

Parents are extremely involved at the school, both within the American Section and the larger school community with parents from all the other sections (British, Japanese, Swedish, German, Spanish, Norwegian, Russian... thirteen in all). There are many social activities throughout the year.

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

It is a wonderful school for very motivated students ready to tackle two education systems simultaneously. It is a lot of hard work but the rewards are enormous!