École Jeannine Manuel - Paris

Since 2019, Jérôme Giovendo. Has a masters in maths, a subject he lives and breathes, but he also speaks several languages, modern Greek included, and has even translated three books. With several years of teaching behind him, he moved to the French

Those without determination or grit need not apply - this is not an easy school to get into. It is essential to start as early as possible too, as spaces are gold dust.

EJM could almost be considered a brand – so sought after that admissions are

For the class of 2024: 4 places at Oxford, 8 Ivy League places (2 at Brown, 1 at Columbia, 1 at Cornell, 1 at UPenn, 3 at Yale). Most popular: France (65), UK (63), USA (23)

In 2024, IB average of 37 per cent with 80 per cent receiving a bilingual diploma. BFI Results: 99 per cent of students with distinctions, 87 per cent of students receiving Good or Very Good distinctions, 63 per cent of students with Very Good

Considered by parents as one of the best schools in France, (repeatedly backed up by annual ranking reports), EJM believes in academic rigour and demands the best of its pupils. Unlike in most other schools, it achieves this through constant

The selective admissions process doesn’t leave much room for children with special needs. The school’s vision is that bilingualism is not ideal for children with difficulties such as dyslexia or dyspraxia. That does not mean, however, that those

Special attention is paid to English tuition in primary. English mother tongue (EMT) children follow a school-developed course for native speakers, using resources from both the UK and the USA. Another programme, Knock Knock, is developed by the

This is not a school for the very arty or musical. It doesn’t mean your child won’t do art or music, but it is not at the heart of the school’s mission.

Many extracurricular activities are offered, however, ranging from cooking, sewing, hip hop

As with art and music, sport is not prioritised. Certainly don’t expect fantastic sports facilities as all the Paris sites are on the small side. But the school does use external facilities and offers a lunchtime ‘Sports Plus’ programme.

The wellbeing of the student and their wider family is at the heart of the school’s modus operandi. Parents are contacted if they spot any reasons to be concerned. One family going through a separation were alerted to their daughter’s change of

Parents are delightful and easy going. School population is a third French, a third international and the rest, a mix. Eighty nationalities represented including American, British, Italian, Spanish, Japan and Russian. In 2022, 79 per cent French and

Some means-tested financial aid exists and reduced tuition for large families is available.

Parents say 'I would do it all over again' and 'It’s an exceptional base for life.' As one of the best schools in France, it should be seriously considered, keeping in mind that getting in is a struggle and the environment won't be for every child.