Guide to Schools in Monaco
3 top facts
50,000 Foreign students aged 13 – 22
10 French Speaking government-funded schools
6 – 16 Years old Compulsory full-time education
- 50,000 foreign students aged 13 – 22
- All child residents of Monaco are required to engage in full-time education from ages 6 to 16.
- Ten French-speaking, government-funded schools (seven nurseries and primary schools and one secondary school, a lycee (college), and a distinct hotel and vocational training college.)
Admission Criteria:
- To secure a place in a nursery school (Ecole Maternelle) in Monaco, a child must be three years old.
- For enrollment in elementary schools, a minimum age of 6 years is required.
- Secondary schools in Monaco welcome students aged 11 to 15.
- The Lycee is for children aged 15 to 18, and caters specifically to their interests with a final Baccalaureat (OIB)
Choosing Between Local and International Schools in Monaco: When contemplating school options in Monaco, families face the crucial decision of selecting between local and international schools. Factors like curriculum approach, language proficiency, cultural diversity, extracurricular activities, admission criteria, class sizes, parental involvement, long-term planning, costs, and support services play pivotal roles in shaping this choice. Local schools offer a standardised curriculum in French, while international schools emphasise global exposure, English instruction, and diverse enrichment programs.
The International School of Monaco was founded in 1994 and includes a nursery, primary and secondary school within it, with over 700 students ranging from 3-18 years old and coming from over 50 nationalities.
The International School of Nice is a co-educational international school founded in 1977 and has a total of just over 400 pupils of ages 3-18 coming from 65 different countries.
Tests and Assessments: Monaco’s schools take exams seriously, using them to track how well students are doing. From primary school to advanced levels, students face various tests. One being the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), an exam that decides which secondary school your child can attend. And as they progress, more challenging exams await those aiming for higher education.
Application Process: For local schools, children usually begin in Primary 1 and follow the rules set by the Ministry of Education. International schools have their own unique requirements, so you need to make sure your child’s in sync with each school’s application process. If a certain school has caught your eye, pay close attention to their rules and application deadlines.
The School Year in Monaco: Monaco’s academic calendar is divided into four terms. However, there’s a difference between local and international schools. Local ones typically start in January and end in November, while international schools run from August to June. Each term spans around 10 to 11 weeks, with short breaks sprinkled in. And a summer break of five weeks starting from July to early August.
How Long is a School Day? Primary school students have a school day of around six hours, however for older students, the hours may increase a bit. Depending on the school type, some schools may vary with extra activities or more learning / study time. Usually, primary school begins at around 7:30 am to 8 am, while secondary students might begin a little earlier, around 7 am to 7:30 am but each is different.
Students that study in Monaco have an array of different school options, spanning from public, private, and international institutions with a further number of higher education opportunities. While Monaco may have a small education system, it provides students with a solid foundation to move forward with their academic and professional goal