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If you're planning a move to Paris, finding the right school for your child is likely to be high on your list. Once you've identified a few possibilities, a new set of questions emerges: when should you apply, which school records will you need, and how will your child's previous education be taken into account?
For families applying from abroad, the process may also need to fit around a relocation date that is still uncertain or a school year that follows a different calendar.
This guide walks you through the main steps of applying to an international school in Paris, with practical advice and information about the admissions process at the American School of Paris (ASP).
Contacting prospective schools as soon as your relocation plans begin to take shape will give you more time to prepare your application and explore the options available for your child.
International schools may receive applications throughout the year, although availability can vary by grade level. Some families begin the process several months before their intended start date, particularly when planning a move for the beginning of the academic year.
At ASP, applications for the following academic year open in October. The school also accepts applications for the current academic year on a rolling basis, subject to availability.
If your family is considering a mid-year arrival, ASP recommends checking with the Admissions team before beginning an application.
You can begin conversations with schools while your plans are still being finalized.
When contacting Admissions, share your expected relocation period, your child's current school and the grade they are likely to enter. If you are considering more than one arrival date, explain the different possibilities.
This gives the Admissions team useful context when advising you on availability, grade placement and the timing of your application.
Most international schools ask families to provide information about their child's previous education and development.
Requirements vary by school and age group, but parents can generally expect to prepare some combination of
Older students may also be asked to complete a questionnaire or write a short personal statement.
ASP's application process is completed online, with supporting documents that vary according to the student's grade level.
For applicants to Grades 2–12, families are asked to provide school records for the current or most recent year and the two preceding years, with English translations.
Middle and Upper School applicants must also provide confidential forms completed by their English and mathematics teachers and a counselor or administrator, alongside a candidate questionnaire and autobiography.
For younger children, the application places greater emphasis on developmental information and feedback from their current teachers.
Some forms must be completed directly by the child's current school. Allowing time for these recommendations can help families avoid delays when submitting their application.
The full document checklists are available on ASP's admissions procedure page.
Moving between education systems can make grade placement less straightforward than parents expect.
A child attending a French school may be familiar with CM1, CM2 or sixième, while an American school uses Grade 4, Grade 5 and Grade 6.
Schools generally consider a child's age, previous education and academic progression when determining the appropriate grade.
The academic calendar can also affect placement, particularly for families arriving from countries where the school year begins or ends at a different time.
At ASP, students arriving from a country with a different academic calendar enroll in the same grade they have just completed for the remainder of the ASP school year.
For example, a student who completes Grade 5 in a country where the academic year ends in February would enter Grade 5 at ASP for the remaining months of that school year.
Students transferring during the academic year also continue in the same grade for the remainder of the year.
Families transferring from the French education system can consult our guide to French and American grade equivalencies.
If you are unsure which grade to select, ASP's Admissions team can advise you before you begin the application.
For parents considering an English-speaking international school, language proficiency is often an important consideration.
Requirements depend on the school, the child's age and the language support available.
Younger children may be able to join an English-speaking school with limited previous exposure to the language. Older students generally need stronger language skills to access subject-specific learning and prepare for examinations.
When contacting a school, explain your child's experience with English. Have they previously studied in the language? Do they use it at home or during extracurricular activities? How comfortable are they speaking, reading and writing?
This information helps the school understand their current proficiency and consider whether additional support may be appropriate.
English is the principal language of instruction at ASP.
The school accepts students with no prior English-language education through Grade 5 and can consider students with lower levels of proficiency in Grades 6–8, with additional support.
ASP's English as an Additional Language (EAL) program supports eligible students in Grades 1–8. New students whose mother tongue is not English may be assessed in listening, speaking, reading and writing to help determine their language needs.
For Upper School applicants, English proficiency is particularly important because students need to engage with increasingly advanced academic content.
Admission decisions take into account the student's grade level, language proficiency and ability to participate in the curriculum.
If your child has documented learning needs, include the relevant information in their application.
This might include psychoeducational assessments, diagnostic reports or documentation describing the support provided by their current school.
Sharing these materials allows the Admissions team and learning support specialists to consider how the child would be supported in the new school environment.
ASP provides learning support for students with mild to moderate learning differences, including small-group support, in-class interventions and co-teaching.
During admissions, the school reviews the information provided by families to determine whether it can meet the student's individual needs within its available programs and resources.
Once an application has been submitted, the school reviews the information provided and may contact the family if further details are needed.
Depending on the child's age and educational background, this may involve academic assessments, language evaluations or additional conversations with teachers and counselors.
At ASP, a completed application is reviewed by an Admission Committee that includes Admissions, divisional leadership, a counselor and other members of the educational team.
The committee considers the student's academic background, individual needs and ability to benefit from the school's programs.
ASP aims to respond by email within 10–15 working days after receiving a completed application and the application fee.
An application is considered complete once all required supporting documents have been submitted and the fee has been received. Additional follow-up may be necessary in some cases before a decision can be made.
If your family is working toward a particular relocation date, sharing your timeline with Admissions will help you understand how the application process may fit into your plans.
Some international schools accept students outside the main August or September intake, depending on available places and the student's academic circumstances.
This can be particularly relevant for families relocating because of an international assignment or an unexpected change in plans.
For younger children, the transition may involve adapting to a new classroom, language and group of friends.
For older students, the school may also need to review the courses already completed and the requirements of the academic pathway they intend to follow.
A student transferring during the final years of high school, for example, may need to consider graduation requirements and the continuity of any advanced courses they have started.
ASP accepts applications throughout the current academic year, subject to availability. Families considering a mid-year start should contact Admissions to discuss their child's circumstances and possible start date before applying.
A school visit can help you picture your child's everyday experience in a way that a website or prospectus cannot.
During a tour, look at the learning spaces your child would use, observe how students interact with their teachers and ask about the activities available beyond the classroom.
For a child arriving from another country, you may also want to understand how the school helps new students settle in and build friendships.
Questions worth bringing to a visit include
If you are applying from abroad, ask whether a virtual visit is available.
ASP offers both on-campus tours and virtual visits, allowing families to begin exploring the school before arriving in Paris.
ASP welcomes students aged 3–18 from a wide range of educational and cultural backgrounds. Its Admissions team offers families an individualized introduction to the school and can advise on the application process for each grade level.
The main steps are
For the 2026/27 academic year, the application fee is €1,450 per child. It is refunded if ASP cannot offer the child a place and is non-refundable if a place is offered.
Families should also consider the full cost of attendance, including tuition and any applicable additional fees. Our guide to international school tuition in Paris explains what to look at when comparing school costs.
Whether you are preparing a move to Paris or exploring a new educational environment for your child, ASP's Admissions team can help you understand the next steps and answer questions specific to your family.
Contact ASP Admissions to learn more, arrange a visit or begin your application.
Yes. Families can begin contacting schools and preparing applications while living abroad. Many international schools are familiar with relocation timelines and can advise families who have not yet confirmed their arrival date.
Requirements vary by school and grade level. Some schools use academic or language assessments to understand a student's readiness and support needs. At ASP, applicants whose mother tongue is not English may be asked to complete an English assessment, depending on their circumstances.
Some international schools maintain waiting lists or waiting pools when a grade reaches capacity. At ASP, a waiting pool may be used as a last resort, and families are informed if a place becomes available or an additional class is created.
Policies vary by school. At ASP, the application fee is refunded if the school cannot offer a place. If a place is offered, the fee is non-refundable. Families should review the school's current fee information before applying.