Ermitage International School Of France:
Opened in 1941 in the historic town of Maisons-Laffitte, Ermitage is a day and boarding school that offers bilingual education for more than 1,000 students ranging from Kindergarten to High School. Only 20km from Paris, Ermitage provides three international diploma options, the International Baccalaureate (IBDP) and Cambridge Diploma Program (CDP), as well as the French Baccalaureate with the "option internationale" (OIB). Focused on the principles of internationalism and leadership, students are encouraged from a young age to participate in global exchanges and service projects.
Lower School, "Building Your Foundation"
A child's education starts here, right at the beginning. Ermitage welcomes our youngest learners as early as 2 1/2 with classes held in both French and English. In a nurturing environment, children are taught as much to read as they are tomake friends.
A bilingual education being one of the cornerstones of Ermitage, the Lower School offers all students classes in French and in English. Classes are organized in ways to accommodate every child's linguistic abilities. Although based on the French National Curriculum, classes remain flexible and as such are thus able to provide a variety of cultural and educational experiences.
Middle School, "Finding Your Voice"
The Middle School years are crucial to the building of personalities and consolidating the building blocks of a child's education. Many opportunities are offered as students learn to test out and express their opinions and ideas through a variety of classes and assemblies known as "Discovery and Ideas" and "Placitum." Students are also introduced to the idea of student government and civic responsibility in the wider school community.
The International Section offers English, Civilization and History in English. Students entering the Middle School learn through an international approach. Greater emphasis is placed on building skills which foster understanding and the analysis of events and texts. Personal research and verbal communication skills are an important component of our curriculum. Students are assessed in different ways. Written work is assessed by knowledge tests, essay writing and research projects. Oral work is marked by individual’s participation in class discussions, role plays and debates.
Students are placed in one of three tiers where the principle criteria is language fluency. The aim of the International Section is to ensure that students foster their fluency in English, high academic achievement and a life - long love for learning.
Through Junior Round Square, students are encouraged to broaden their horizons and to connect with their peers from all over the world. Ermitage has been proud to host a number of JRS conferences which allows for international students to discover France. The exchanges have an enriching and life-long impact on the development of each student.
Please also ask for information on our International Studies Program for students in 4eme/8th grade classes.
Upper School, "Finding Your Voice"
Students entering our Upper School section are oriented toward a number of diploma options. The principle criteria is language fluency. Our goal is to ensure that each student is focused on his or her abilities and where each can produce top level results.
Brevet des Colleges/Brevet International: In preparation for the last 3 years of the Upper School program, 3eme students sit the Brevet, either entire in French or with specific subjects (such as History, Geography and English Literature) in English. For our current exam results, please refer to our Admissions tab.
IGCSE and Cambridge Diploma Programme: Accredited by the University of Cambridge International Examination Board, this 2-year course of study benefits from a distinct learning environment created by an experienced, international team of teachers. Great emphasis is placed on the development of critical inquiry and in depth research. A blend of written and practical work, as well as field trips and cultural activities, is designed to give pupils a wider, more international perspectives. Also, in the spirit of a true pre-IBDP course, students are asked to participate in an extra-curricular Junior-CAS program and a pre-TOK class.
IB Diploma Programme (in English): The IBDP is a demanding education programme for the final two years of Secondary School. It prepares students for university entrance and encourages them to ask challenging questions, learn how to learn, develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture and foster the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures. The Diploma Program consists of 6 subject areas from which an individual course of study can be designed for each student: Language (mother-tongue), Language (second), Individuals & Socieities, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics and the Arts. At the core of the IBDP is CAS, Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge (TOK).
French Baccalaureate: Students in 10th Grade are asked to choose a section of concentration - either Literature, Economics & Sciences or Sciences. Known collectively as the "Curriculum of Excellence," supplemental study skills sessions are organized by our Upper School staff. For our 11th and 12th grade students, additional classes are often added to their regular schedule as they prepare for the final Baccalaureate exam. For our current exam results, please refer to our Admissions tab.
International Option of the French Baccalaureate: Also known as the OIB, the "option internationale" offers our bilingual students the opportunity of demonstrating their high level of both French and English. The OIB at Ermitage follows the American Section curriculum where History and English/American Literature classes are held entirely in English. Ermitage has been offering this option since 2001 and can boast a 100% pass rate for every year including this past academic season. Good luck to those this year!
