International Schools In Monaco

Monaco's school landscape

Monaco's education system rests on three pillars: state schools run by the Direction de l'Éducation Nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports (DENJS); private schools under contract that teach the French national curriculum; and two independent international schools teaching in English — ISM and The British School of Monaco. All state and contracted private schools follow the official French syllabus and prepare students for the French baccalauréat. Only ISM delivers the International Baccalaureate (IB); the British School follows the English National Curriculum.

A point that surprises most newcomers: English-language education is not confined to the fee-paying sector. Lycée Albert Ier runs an International Option Baccalaureate with an American section and a European-English section, and Collège Charles III offers English and international sections — both free for residents, both selective, both working principally in French.

The four private and international schools

International School of Monaco (ISM)

ISM is the Principality's largest international school. Founded in 1994, it welcomes over 850 students aged 3 to 18 from more than 60 nationalities. Since September 2024 it has occupied a purpose-built campus at 43 avenue Princesse Grace, in the Larvotto district at the foot of the Testimonio II development — it was previously in La Condamine, so older directories still give the wrong address.

• Language of instruction: bilingual French-English in primary; English with compulsory French from Year 7
• Curriculum: full IB Continuum — Primary Years, Middle Years, Diploma and Career-related Programme
• Fees: not published; schedule issued by admissions on request, with reductions from the third child
• Official site: ismonaco.org
• Admissions: rolling, outside the government calendar; assessment by age group; apply around twelve months ahead

The British School of Monaco

Opened in November 2022, the British School is family-run and deliberately small — "small by design", in its own words. It teaches the English National Curriculum as a Cambridge school, through to A level, and splits across two sites.

• Addresses: Early Years and secondary, 31 avenue Hector Otto; primary school, 8 avenue de Fontvieille
• Language of instruction: English
• Curriculum: English National Curriculum, Cambridge assessment, IGCSE and A level
• Fees (2026-2027): €32,000 for ages 3-4; €39,500 from age 5 to Grade 8; €41,000 for Grades 9-10. Application fee €600, one-off registration fee €3,000
• Official site: britishschool.mc
• Admissions: rolling; several year groups carry waiting lists

Institution François d'Assise – Nicolas Barré (FANB)

FANB is Monaco's largest private school. Catholic, under contract with the Monegasque State, it teaches the full French national curriculum from nursery through terminale and prepares students for the general baccalauréat. It was formed by merging two long-established Catholic institutions, the Institution Saint-Maur and the Collège Franciscain; its new eight-storey, 10,000 m² building on the Roqueville site was inaugurated in April 2019 and holds up to 750 pupils.

• Addresses: primary school, 11 rue Princesse Marie de Lorraine; collège and lycée, 11 avenue de Roqueville
• Phone: primary (+377) 97 97 10 55 · collège (+377) 92 00 02 59 · lycée (+377) 97 70 25 90
• Language of instruction: French, with a European-Italian section at lycée level
• Levels: nursery, primary, collège and lycée (general baccalauréat)
• Fees: quoted on request; far below the independent international schools
• Official site: fanb.mc
• Enrolment window: the same January-March government window as the state schools

Cours Saint-Maur

Smaller than FANB, the Cours Saint-Maur is a private Catholic primary school under contract, teaching the French curriculum in a more intimate setting.

• Address: 33 boulevard des Moulins, 98000 Monaco
• Phone: (+377) 93 50 61 51
• Language of instruction: French
• Levels: nursery and primary
• Fees: quoted on request
• Profile: small class sizes, personalised teaching
• Enrolment window: January-March, through the same government teleservice as the state schools

Monaco's state schools

State education in Monaco is free for residents and follows the full French syllabus. The network includes:

• Nursery schools: École des Carmes (33 bd du Larvotto), École du Parc (32 bis bd de Belgique), École Stella (16 rue Hubert Clerissi)
• Primary schools: École de la Condamine (4 rue Saige), École de Fontvieille (5 av. des Guelfes), École Saint-Charles (11 av. Saint-Laurent), École des Révoires (63 ter bd du Jardin Exotique)
• Collège Charles III (avenue de l'Annonciade) — the Principality's single state middle school, with English, international, music and sport sections
• Lycée Albert Ier (2 place de la Visitation) — general and technological baccalauréats (STMG, STI2D), plus the International Option Baccalaureate, American section and a European-English section
• Lycée Rainier III (7 allée Lazare Sauvaigo) — technological and vocational baccalauréats in hospitality and catering, services and industry

A naming point worth knowing: the Lycée Technique et Hôtelier de Monte-Carlo was renamed Lycée Rainier III on 1 July 2023, in tribute to the prince who had pushed for its creation in 1969. Both names refer to the same school, and it is a lycée only — Monaco's sole state collège is Charles III.

Most teaching staff are seconded from the French education system. The brevet and baccalauréat awarded in Monaco are equivalent to the French national diplomas.

Quick comparison

Enrollment Process and Timeline

Initial Research (6-12 Months Before)

Actions:

• Research school options
• Visit school websites
• Review curricula and requirements
• Attend school open houses (if possible)
• Connect with current parents
• Gather application materials

Application Phase (4-6 Months Before)

Timeline:

• January-April: Main application period
• Some schools accept applications year-round
• Early applications more likely to secure places

Application Process:

• Complete online or paper application
• Submit required documentation
• Pay application fee (if applicable)
• Schedule school visit
• Prepare child for assessments

Required Documentation:

• Birth certificate
• Passport and visa documents
• Immunization records
• Previous school records/transcripts
• Parent identification
• Proof of address in Monaco

Assessment Phase

Entrance Assessments (typical for some grades):

• Literacy and numeracy assessments
• English/French language capability
• Reasoning and aptitude tests
• Parent and student interviews
• Assessment of learning needs

Timeline:

• Usually 2-4 weeks after application submission
• Results within 2-3 weeks of assessment

Acceptance and Enrollment

Upon Acceptance:

• Receive acceptance letter
• Pay enrollment deposit
• Submit additional documentation
• Receive school materials and information
• Attend orientation (if applicable)
• Setup lunch accounts and payment

Timeline:

• April-May: Typical decision notification
• May-June: Enrollment finalization
• July-August: Preparation for September start

Practical Considerations

School Years and Holidays

Academic Calendar:

• School year: September to June
• Summer holiday: July-August (6-8 weeks)
• Christmas break: 2 weeks (typically mid-December to early January)
• Easter break: 2 weeks
• Various holidays throughout year

Coordination with Work:

• Plan childcare for summer holidays
• Coordinate vacation plans
• Consider work schedule adjustments
• Plan summer activities/camps

Tuition and Financial Considerations

Payment:

• Monthly or annual payment typical
• Payment plans available at some schools
• Delinquent account consequences
• Financial aid inquiries available

Additional Costs:

• Registration and administrative fees: €300-€500
• Uniforms: €200-€400 (if required)
• Books and materials: €100-€300
• Field trips and activities: €200-€500
• Lunches: €50-€100/month (if not provided)
• Extracurricular activities: €100-€500+

Language Transition

English-Speaking Children:

• ISM provides English instruction
• Easy transition if coming from English schools
• French language learning integrated
• Bilingual development possible

French-Speaking Children:

• FANB, Cours Saint-Maur or Monaco state schools are all natural fits
• Direct continuity in the French curriculum
• Natural language integration

Mixed-Language Families:

• Consider bilingual school options
• Some schools offer language support
• Transition programs available
• Time for language adjustment needed

Transport and commuting

All four private schools are located inside Monaco: ISM at Larvotto, the British School across Fontvieille and avenue Hector Otto, FANB on avenue de Roqueville with its primary in Monaco-Ville, and Cours Saint-Maur on boulevard des Moulins. The CAM bus network serves every district, and most families combine buses, walking and the public lifts. Parking is scarce, so schools actively encourage soft transport and carpooling.

Families living outside the Principality have one further option: the International School of Nice runs coach routes with two Monaco stops, Fontvieille and Grimaldi, which puts an all-English IB school within reach for cross-border commuters who cannot obtain a dérogation for Monaco's state schools.

Families living in Beausoleil, Cap-d'Ail, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin or Menton typically reach Monaco in 15-30 minutes by car or train.

After-School Programs and Activities

Extended Care

After-School Supervision:

• Most schools offer supervised after-school care
• Additional fees (typically €5-€10/hour)
• Sign-up required
• Activities and snacks provided

Evening Programs:

• Some schools offer evening programs
• Care until 6-7 PM typical
• Useful for working parents

Extracurricular Activities

Available Options:

• Sports (tennis, swimming, football, etc.)
• Arts (music, drama, visual arts)
• Academic enrichment
• Language programs
• Leadership and clubs

Cost: Typically €100-€500+ annually per activity Schedule: After school or weekends Enrollment: Usually separate from school enrollment

Summer Programs

Summer Camps and Programs:

• Day camps and multi-week programs
• Academic enrichment or recreational
• Cost: €50-€150/day typical
• International student participants
• Pre-registration helpful

Special Needs and Support Services

Learning Support

Available at Most Schools:

• English language support
• Learning assessment services
• Tutoring and remedial support
• Special education services (limited)

Process:

• Assessment and evaluation
• Individualized education plan (if needed)
• Regular monitoring
• Parent conferences
• Additional cost possible

Language Support

English Language Support:

• ISM offers English instruction
• ESL support programs
• Transition support for non-English speakers
• Bilingual development programs

Counseling and Pastoral Care

Available Services:

• Academic counseling
• University/career counseling
• Social-emotional support
• Pastoral care programs
• Mental health referrals

University Preparation

International Baccalaureate (IB)

ISM Program:

• IB Diploma Program (ages 16-18)
• IB Middle Years Program (ages 11-16)
• IB Primary Years Program (ages 3-11)
• University preparation focus
• Global recognition
• Rigorous academic program

University Acceptance:

• Recognized worldwide by universities
• Strong preparation for international universities
• Good acceptance rates at competitive universities

French Baccalauréat

FANB prepares students for the general baccalauréat, the same diploma awarded by Monaco's state high schools (Lycée Albert Ier, Lycée Rainier III). It gives direct access to French universities and is widely accepted by international ones. Specialisations (sciences, economics, humanities, arts) follow the current French curriculum.

Making the School Choice Decision

Factors to Consider

Family Priorities:

• Language of instruction preference
• Curriculum philosophy alignment
• University plans and requirements
• Cost considerations
• Commuting feasibility
• School culture and values

Child Factors:

• Age and developmental stage
• Language capabilities
• Learning style and needs
• Social-emotional needs
• Extracurricular interests

Practical Factors:

• Location and commute
• After-school care availability
• Financial capacity
• Flexibility and school policies
• Enrollment availability

Decision-Making Process

1. Research all available options thoroughly
2. Visit schools and observe
3. Speak with current parents and students
4. Evaluate your priorities
5. Make decision based on best fit
6. Complete application process
7. Remain flexible regarding outcomes

Who to contact

Direction de l'Éducation Nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports (DENJS) — 5 Promenade Honoré II, Hall A, 2nd floor, 98000 Monaco. Tel. (+377) 98 98 80 05, denjs@gouv.mc, Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:00pm. The DENJS runs enrolment for state and contracted schools, grants dérogations for non-resident families, and is the only body that can say whether a given class still has room.

Welcome Office (Invest Monaco) — 2a boulevard des Moulins, 98000 Monaco. Tel. (+377) 98 98 94 94, by appointment, Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00, in French or English. It orients new and future residents and points them to the right department, but it does not enrol children or reserve places.

The step-by-step procedure — windows, priority rules and the documents to assemble — is set out in school admissions in Monaco.

Post-Arrival School Transition

First Week Adjustments

• Child may experience culture shock
• Language adjustment period normal
• Building new friendships takes time
• Academic adjustment varies by child
• Support from school and home important

Long-Term Integration (First Months)

• Consistent presence builds comfort
• Friendships develop gradually
• Academic progress improves
• Community integration happens naturally
• Regular parent-school communication important

Conclusion

Monaco offers a concentrated but high-quality range of schools. ISM suits families wanting the IB and a genuinely international cohort; The British School of Monaco suits those who want continuity with the English system and a small setting. FANB combines the full French syllabus, local roots and moderate fees; Cours Saint-Maur offers an intimate setting for the early years. Monaco's state schools remain free for residents, award the same internationally recognised French diplomas, and carry English and international sections at Collège Charles III and Lycée Albert Ier that cost nothing.

The right choice depends on language, university plans and budget — but the timing is what actually decides the outcome. State and contracted enrolment opens in early January and closes in mid-March for a September start, while ISM and the British School admit on a rolling basis and advise applying a year ahead. See school admissions in Monaco for the full calendar and document checklist, and the Monaco school system for how the French curriculum is structured.