school
Pre-school
France
The "école maternelle" accepts children from 3 to 6 years. The child has a right to a place in the public école maternelle of the community where it lives, and the schools are free of charge. Ecole maternelle is not compulsory, but the big majority of French children do attend. If your child will attend a French primary school from the age of 6, the attendance of école maternelle is highly recommended. Note that in many French schools, Wednesdays are free, or school takes place only in the mornings, while on the other days it would be until around 4.30 pm.
Switzerland
The "Ecole enfantine" accepts children from 4 to 6 years. In the canton of Geneva, one year of pre-school is compulsory. Pre-school is free of charge, children are accepted at the pre-school nearest to their home.
France
The "école maternelle" accepts children from 3 to 6 years. The child has a right to a place in the public école maternelle of the community where it lives, and the schools are free of charge. Ecole maternelle is not compulsory, but the big majority of French children do attend. If your child will attend a French primary school from the age of 6, the attendance of école maternelle is highly recommended. Note that in many French schools, Wednesdays are free, or school takes place only in the mornings, while on the other days it would be until around 4.30 pm.
Switzerland
The "Ecole enfantine" accepts children from 4 to 6 years. In the canton of Geneva, one year of pre-school is compulsory. Pre-school is free of charge, children are accepted at the pre-school nearest to their home.
- Jardin d’Enfants is CERN's kindergarten (must have a CERN user account)
- Mésanges Bilingual Montessori Preschool
Veigy, France - just outside Geneva. Contact Chantal Detournay, Director
School
To get started, check these links for general information on schooling in France and Switzerland
France
See Education and Schooling in France (Angloinfo) for information on the French school system, including: enrollment, qualifications, placement, vaccines, school lunch programs, vacation schedules.
Primary school
Children aged 6 through 10 will automatically be enrolled in the public school in your community. It is free of charge. All lessons will be in French.
Secondary education
is split into two phases - Collège for children aged 11 to 15, and Lycée for ages 15 to 18.
Switzerland
Swiss public schools are free of charge and will take your children in the middle of a school year.
Geneva also has many private schools, often with an English program. They are quite expensive.
Most of them will admit your children regardless of whether you reside in Switzerland or France.
To get started, check these links for general information on schooling in France and Switzerland
- CERN Social Affairs Services gives an excellent overview of education systems in France and Switzerland
- Education fees - must have a CERN user account.
CERN pays staff members and fellows education fees for each dependent child – see conditions and details - Blog on the Education process in France and Switzerland by Know-It-All Passport consultant Denise Nickerson.
- CERN Holidays - CERN observes Swiss holidays, so if your children attend school in France, your vacations schedules will not always be the same.
School Holiday Schedule for Europe. The Pays de Gex is in Zone A.
School Holiday Schedule for Geneva
France
See Education and Schooling in France (Angloinfo) for information on the French school system, including: enrollment, qualifications, placement, vaccines, school lunch programs, vacation schedules.
Primary school
Children aged 6 through 10 will automatically be enrolled in the public school in your community. It is free of charge. All lessons will be in French.
Secondary education
is split into two phases - Collège for children aged 11 to 15, and Lycée for ages 15 to 18.
- The Lycée Collège International in Ferney-Voltaire has a special agreement with CERN: children of CERN personnel will automatically be admitted, the level will be based on exams taken once you arrive.
- The private school Institution Jeanne d'Arc in Gex is not very expensive. It offers a bilingual program (French/English) from 12 years on.
Switzerland
Swiss public schools are free of charge and will take your children in the middle of a school year.
Geneva also has many private schools, often with an English program. They are quite expensive.
Most of them will admit your children regardless of whether you reside in Switzerland or France.
- Education and Schooling in Geneva explains the Swiss schooling system including private schools, home schooling, private schools and more. (Angloinfo)
- List of International Schools in the Geneva area (EasyExpat)
- Collège du Léman
Route de Sauverny 74, Versoix +41 22 775 55 55 - Geneva English School
Provides primary and secondary education for English speaking children between 3 to 18, offering both IGCE and A-level Baccalaureate Degrees at Secondary level. The primary school is located at Route de Malagny 36, Genthod. The secondary school is at -160 Route Suisse, Versoix. - International School of Geneva
The International School has three independent campuses - please check the homepage for detailed information. - Institut International Lancy
avenue Eugène-Lance 24, Grand-Lancy + 41 22 794 26 20 - Léman International Academy
Route de la Capite 120, 1223 Cologny - Tel: +41 22 566 17 57 or +41 77 480 19 96
French/English bilingual school for children ages 3 - 11. Our program is based on the Plan d’Etudes Romand and the Common Core State Standards Initiatives (USA). LIA is a Christian school open to children of all religious backgrounds. Contact: Rachel Seauve, English Coordinator by email: [email protected]
Tutoring
- Scientia Education provides help for students of all ages and levels.