Do you plan to settle in the Principality with your family? Or you are already resident and your personal situation is changing? Anyway, you want to understand the specificities and the quality of the Monegasque school system. Be assured Monaco offers everything that is best, from the youngest age to higher education. Here is why going to school in Monaco is a real pleasure.
Exemplary schooling: from kindergarten to high school Albert 1er in Monaco
Offering quality education is a commitment constantly renewed by the Government. Scattered throughout the territory, schools, public or private under contract, provide education in accordance with the programs of the French National Education. They deliver degrees recognized by this institution. They are, in fact, considered as French schools abroad. However, they have additional assets that allow their students to distinguish themselves.
Access to a quality school from an early age
Within the public system, two kindergartens are dedicated to the youngest between 3 and 6 years old. Three elementary schools offer education from kindergarten to 10 years old, while one elementary school is dedicated to 6-10 year olds. Two private institutions complete this offer. In all cases, the courses are taught in French but, to facilitate the integration of non-French-speaking students, “French as a Foreign Language” is proposed in several of these institutions. Other generalized features of Monegasque schools:
- learning the English language, from 3 years old ;
- the practice of swimming ;
- physical education and sports classes ;
- religious instruction, unless the parents wish otherwise ;
- learning the Monegasque language.
These various complementary subjects are taught by specialized teachers.
Two private schools under contract also educate children of the same age: the Cours Saint-Maur and the school François d’Assise-Nicolas Barré. Finally, the International School is a non-contract institution, with its own programs, including bilingual education. This institute follows students from kindergarten to high school.
The student’s potential is expressed in middle school
Since education is compulsory until the age of 16, children are subsequently welcomed into middle school (“collège”). You can choose between public or private institutions. Among them, the public Collège Charles III has many specificities:
- students from dozens of different nationalities ;
- three levels of English; a European section in English ;
- a choice of foreign languages: German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese or Russian ;
- Multiple aids for students in difficulty;
- Specific timetables for artists and athletes.
The private middle school and high school under contract, François d’Assise-Nicolas Barré, follows the same programs as those recommended by the National Education. It also offers options. In middle school: three levels of English, a European section in English, bilingual classes in “6ème” (first year in middle school). In high school: an English or Italian European section.
Students can continue their schooling at Albert 1st High School in Monaco, a public establishment with general and technological fields. It is possible to choose Baccalaureate international options (OIB “Option Internationale du Baccalauréat”): American international option or English European option.
As for the Lycée Technique et Hôtelier (Technical and Hotel High School), it welcomes young people after the “3ème” (last year of middle school) and offers them training for 8 différent degrees in the Hotel, Industrial or Tertiary sectors. It offers the opportunity to present these exams with the mention “European Section”, which provide an easy entrance on the job market.
Go to the University of Monaco?
What about higher education? The Principality has, here again, a network of reputable formations.
Post-baccalaureate vocational training in secondary schools
At the Lycée Albert 1er of Monaco, the degrees offered allow to deepen the fields of management up to bac + 2 (BTS Assistant Manager, BTS Accounting and Management of Organizations), or baccalaureate + 3 (Diploma in Accounting and Management ).
The Lycée Technique et Hôtelier (Technical and Hotel High School) invites its best students to do a BTS Hospitality – Catering with two possible options.
Graduate studies
Monaco offers a wide range of fields of study: art, health, commerce, finance, luxury.
École supérieure d’arts plastiques (School of Fine Arts)
Specialized in art and scenography, the school insists on the dialogue between visual arts and performing arts and provides training bac + 3, bac + 5.
Institut de formation en soins infirmiers (Institute of Nursing Education)
It allows to obtain a French State Nursing Diploma, training under excellent conditions, thanks to a small staff and a partnership with the University of Nice.
International University of Monaco
Private university, offering courses in English, it offers training in the fields of finance, luxury, international management or sports and Marketing.
