Which school to choose as an expat? The keys to making the right decision

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Which school to choose when you're an expat? This is one of the first questions that families preparing to live abroad with their children ask themselves. Because while expatriation is often a source of personal and family enrichment, it also raises very real - and sometimes complex - issues when it comes to schooling.
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Should you choose a local school or a French establishment abroad? Should you opt for an international curriculum, a bilingual school or consider home schooling? Each solution has its advantages... and its limitations. Above and beyond the school program, it's all about finding an environment where your child will feel welcomed, understood and stimulated, whatever his or her age or length of stay.
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In this article, we review the different options for schooling abroad, the criteria to consider, and how Esclaibes International Schools meet the specific needs of children in expatriate situations. The aim: to help you make an informed choice, tailored to your family.
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Expatriate families: schooling, a decisive choice

When it comes to living abroad with children, the question of schooling is not limited to the curriculum or the language of instruction. The choice of school influences a large part of the expatriation experience: it conditions not only the child's learning, but also his or her emotional well-being, ability to adapt, and integration into daily life.

For an expatriate child, changing schools also means changing points of reference: new faces, new languages, new expectations. School then becomes much more than a place of learning: it's a key space for socialization and anchoring. Finding a school that welcomes the child's uniqueness, recognizes his or her culture and supports him or her with kindness can make all the difference.

That's why this choice needs to be carefully considered. It's all about finding a balance between continuity in schooling, openness to local culture and emotional security. A school that makes the child feel at ease from the very first days will promote a successful transition for the whole family.
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The different options for schooling abroad
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1 - Local schools: cultural immersion and integration challenges

Enrolling your child in a local school may seem like the most natural solution for expatriation, especially when you're planning a long stay or a strong desire to integrate into the host country's culture.

The benefits:

• The child is quickly immersed in the local language.
• He discovers the country's culture, traditions and lifestyles in depth.
• The cost is often much lower than that of an international or French school.

Limitations:

• The language barrier can make the first few months difficult, especially if the language is unfamiliar to the child.
• The educational system may be very different from the one the child has known up to now, in its expectations or teaching methods.
• There can be a significant time lag when it comes time to return to the French or international school system.

2 - International schools: a popular model for expat families

These schools, often independent, offer a variety of curricula: International Baccalaureate (IB) program, British (Cambridge), American (AP), Canadian, etc. They are particularly popular with long-term expatriate families or those with a high level of international mobility.
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The benefits:

• The environment is multicultural and the teaching is bilingual or in English.
• The teaching approach is often modern, focusing on cross-disciplinary skills, creativity and critical thinking.
• The child can obtain an internationally recognized diploma (such as the IB), facilitating access to universities worldwide.

Limitations:

• The cost is often very high.
• Entry is sometimes subject to examinations, placement tests or interviews.
• Some schools follow highly competitive approaches, which are not suitable for all children.

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3- French schools abroad: educational continuity for French expatriates

TheAEFE (Agence pour l'Enseignement Français à l'Étranger) network is present in 138 countries, with over 600 establishments worldwide (data as of May 2025). These schools follow the curricula of the French national education system, providing the ideal educational continuity for French expatriate children, particularly in the event of a return to France.
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Note that many countries have similar agencies, such as theOffice Central pour l'Enseignement de l'Allemand à l'Etranger (Central Office for Teaching German Abroad), or specific establishments like the Spanish Luis Bunuel secondary school in Neuilly-sur-Seine.
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The benefits:

• Children continue their studies in the same educational environment as in France.
• They remain in touch with French culture and can easily return to a French school at a later date.
• The academic level is recognized, with teachers often seconded by the State.

Limitations:

• Openness to local culture can be limited if the school remains very French-speaking and not firmly rooted in its environment.
• Admission is sometimes subject to waiting lists.
• Tuition fees vary from school to school (some are accredited, others are partnered or approved only) and can be high.

4 - Home schooling: a flexible but demanding option

More and more expatriate families are opting for Home Instruction (IEF), whether for pedagogical, logistical or philosophical reasons. This solution offers great flexibility, particularly for families of digital nomads or those who are constantly on the move.

The benefits:

• Teaching is personalized, adapted to the child's pace and interests.
• The family can travel regardless of the school calendar.
• Children can benefit from quality support if they are backed up by structured courses such as those offered by the CNED or other educational platforms.

Limitations:

• IEF requires a strong commitment from parents, who must be available and competent to support learning.
• This can lead to social isolation, especially if the child has no other group activities.
• Some countries prohibit or severely restrict home schooling (e.g. Germany), so it's essential to find out about local legislation.

5 criteria for choosing an expat school

Which school should you choose when moving abroad, given the diversity of education systems and offers available abroad?

In addition to the geographical proximity of the establishment to your place of residence and/or work, here are 5 factors to consider when making an informed choice about expatriation.

1 - Language(s) of instruction

The language of instruction is often the first decisive criterion. A local school will teach in the language of the country, which can be a great lever for immersion, but also a difficulty depending on the child's age or profile.

Many families prefer bilingual schools (French/English, or English/Spanish, etc.), which allow them to..:

• maintain the level of the mother tongue (or one of the mother tongues);
• acquire or strengthen a second language in speaking and writing;
• encourage future international mobility or return to the country of origin.

Please note: some expatriate children already master several languages at home. A school that values multilingualism and adapts to what they have learned can be a real asset.

2 - Continuity of schooling

If the expatriation is temporary, or if a return is envisaged, it is important that the school chosen allows for a smooth reintegration into the home system. This may involve :

• a program in line with the French national education system for French families, or in line with the programs of the country of origin;
• an international school preparing students for recognized diplomas (IB, A-levels, French Baccalaureate...);
• individualized pedagogical support.

The Esclaibes International Schools network, for example, offers rigorous monitoring of learning and skills. This facilitates future adaptation, whatever the next school.

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3 - Child well-being and support

Moving abroad can be a source of stress, even for the most sociable children. We think it's important that :

• offers a caring and reassuring environment;
• knows how to deal with emotions linked to adaptation (separation, language, new landmarks...);
• has teams that are attentive, attentive and trained in intercultural issues.

This should be the case at every school. Don't hesitate to contact the school and talk to the management, so that you can ask any questions you may have.

Observation, individualized learning and attention to personal development are just as important as the academic program. A child who is well received is a child who learns better.

4 - Cultural and international openness

School is also a meeting place. For expatriate children, evolving in a multicultural environment:

• develops tolerance, curiosity and open-mindedness;
• fosters enriching friendships with children from a variety of backgrounds;
• provides direct access to a living, diverse and enriching culture.

A school that values each individual's origins, mother tongues, cultural celebrations... contributes to making expatriation a rich and formative experience.

5 - The cost and how it is covered by the employer

Finally, the cost of tuition is a major criterion. French or local schools are often less expensive than international ones, but this depends on the country.

Before you choose :

• check the fees for enrolment, annual tuition, transport, materials... (on our website, we're all about transparency. You'll find our prices for our different schools);
• find out about available grants, reductions for siblings, etc. ;
• consult your employer: in many cases, the expatriation contract may include partial or total coverage of tuition fees.

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Why Esclaibes schools meet the needs of expatriate children

Faced with the specific challenges of expatriation, Esclaibes schools offer a framework that is particularly well-suited to internationally mobile children. Their active pedagogy, international roots and individualized support make them places of learning and fulfillment perfectly aligned with the needs of expatriate families.

An active and open pedagogy, inspired by Montessori but enriched with other elements

The Esclaibes network is based on the founding principles of Montessori pedagogy - autonomyrespect for the child's rhythm, the importance of a prepared environment - while enriching them with contributions from other pedagogical currents and recent discoveries in neuroscience and educational science.

Our active teaching methods and non-dogmatic approach to Montessori pedagogy enable us to adapt to the diversity of profiles and backgrounds, in a spirit of trust and curiosity: two essential pillars for children who are often confronted with new points of reference.

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Individualized follow-up: adapting to each profile, each pathway

In the expatriate context, each child arrives with a different school history, sometimes in a new language, with specific expectations.

Esclaibes International Schools teachers use in-house-developed pedagogical tools(work plans, monitoring logs, close observation) to provide tailor-made support. Children do not have to "catch up" with a program, but progress at their own pace, according to their strengths and current needs.

Children also benefit from all the advantages of multi-age classes, as our classes are organized in this way, even for the middle school section of our Marseille-based school.

Bilingualism in everyday life

All Esclaibes schools are bilingual in English and French, with a balanced distribution of teaching in the two languages throughout the day or week.

Far from being taught in a classroom, children experience a real immersion in each of the two languages:

• through everyday activities and exchanges;
• with English-speaking or bilingual educators;
• using identical Montessori materials in both languages.

This encourages a natural and lasting learning of English and French, enabling them to become bilingual and benefiting from a major asset for the rest of their school career and adult life.

A welcoming culture: special attention to well-being, transition, mother tongue

Moving abroad can be unsettling, even if it's a source of adventure. At Esclaibes International Schools, particular attention is paid to:
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• the gradual integration of each child ;
• recognition of their history, culture and language of origin: we celebrate Halloween as well as the festival of colors (Holi), Diwali, the Swedish festival of St. Lucia, St. Patrick's Day, etc., and we pay special attention to birthdays, following the ritual suggested by Maria Montessori.
• building a bond of trust with the teaching staff and other children: each school organizes a wide range of out-of-school learning activities, with trips to museums, farms and discovery classes in elementary schools. These are all opportunities to learn differently and build strong bonds with other students.

Caring, listening and emotional stability are at the heart of our educational project. This reassuring climate enables expatriate children to quickly find their feet.

Compatibility with other Montessori schools and the IB curriculum

One of the major assets of the Esclaibes network is the compatibility of its approach with other Montessori schools around the world, as well as with international curricula such as the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Thanks to the wealth of skills developed - autonomy, critical thinking, creativity, cooperation, bilingualism - students from Esclaibes schools can integrate without difficulty :

• a Montessori school in another country;
• an English- or French-speaking international school;
• an IB section high school, with pedagogical and linguistic continuity.

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Preparing your child's future at school, with peace of mind

When you live abroad or are preparing to move to another country, you often want to offer your child a stable, enriching and progressive education. The schools in the Esclaibes International Schools network help lay the solid foundations for a coherent international career path, whatever the destination.

Transferable skills, anywhere in the world

The active pedagogy implemented in Esclaibes schools enables each child to develop solid, transferable skills that are recognized in all education systems:

• mastery of the basics (reading, writing, mathematics) ;
• curiosity, creativity, ability to learn by oneself ;
• sense of organization and responsibility.

These skills make it easier to integrate into any school, whether in France or abroad.

Autonomy, critical thinking and social skills

Beyond academic knowledge, Esclaibes schools cultivate what will make the difference in the life of an expatriate child:

• self-confidence ;
• the ability to think for oneself , thanks in particular to the philosophy workshops offered from kindergarten onwards;
• the ability to cooperate with others ;
• the ability to express needs and emotions.

These psychosocial skills are essential for :

• better adapt to changing environments ;
• finding one's place in a multicultural group ;
• face school and personal challenges with serenity.

A gateway to international lycées and the International Baccalaureate

Thanks to our bilingual teaching and the richness of our curriculum, our students can easily continue their studies at an international lycée or an IB (International Baccalaureate) school, a program recognized in over 150 countries.

This is an ideal route for expatriate families who want to :

• offer an internationally recognized diploma;
• maintain a high academic standard in a multicultural environment;
• enable their children to build a future without borders.

Growing up between cultures, with confidence

Navigating between different cultures, languages and educational systems is both a challenge and a source of enrichment. Esclaibes schools enable expatriate children to live this adventure to the full by developing :

• a sense of security and belonging;
• an open and plural identity;
• An ability to adapt without denying ourselves.

When you join an Esclaibes school, you're providing your child with more than just an education: you're offering him or her a human, demanding and caring environment in which to learn to grow up in a changing world. The network's two founders, Marie Robert and Alexandre d'Esclaibes, and all the teams at our schools in Paris 16, Paris 15, Paris 8, Clichy and Marseille, make sure of this.

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