80 years of French education

Founded in 1941 by Mrs. Anne-Marie Tommeret during World War II, Ermitage began as a refuge where children could study despite limited access to education. Eight decades later, the community has grown to include 1,460 students from 80 countries who speak 49 languages. Accredited by France’s Ministry of National Education from preschool through graduation and recognized as an IB World School, Ermitage became the first French member of the Round Square network in 2005.

Campus in Parisian suburb

Spanning 740 acres in Maisons-Laffitte—the “City of Horses”—the campus sits just 18 kilometers from Paris, making the capital accessible in 20 minutes by train while preserving a tranquil countryside setting. More than 8,500 acres of Saint-Germain forest surround the grounds, and a 17th-century château that once served as Louis XIV’s hunting residence stands within walking distance. Historic buildings create an atmosphere where students can concentrate on academics yet regularly experience the museums and cultural events that Paris offers.

Two educational paths

Ermitage offers either a French bilingual program or an International Baccalaureate pathway. While the French curriculum runs from preschool through twelfth grade, the IB cycle begins in sixth grade and operates predominantly in English. Middle schoolers join one of five ability-based groups for core subjects regardless of their primary grade level, which allows each student to progress at an appropriate pace. Starting in sixth grade, everyone studies a second foreign language—Mandarin, Spanish, or German.

Academic results

In 2017, Le Figaro ranked Ermitage second among French lycées based on performance metrics. Students have achieved 100% success on French baccalaureate exams for 14 consecutive years since 2012, while IB Diploma candidates average 34.8 points compared to the global mean of 30.6. All IB graduates gain admission to their first-choice universities, including École Polytechnique in France, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Edinburgh. The International Baccalaureate Organization granted the school 24 distinctions in 2020 following a five-year program evaluation.

Extracurricular life in Ermitage International School

Sports range from basketball and football to rowing and track and field. The Ermitage Mustangs compete in local and international tournaments, including an annual basketball event in Denmark, while students attend Model United Nations conferences across Europe and in New York. Round Square conferences take participants around the world to discuss global issues in Denmark, Germany, India, Switzerland, Thailand, and beyond.

Ermitage’s specialized equestrian programs operate at two levels: Passion for enthusiastic riders and Competition for those entering regional and national show jumping events. Both include weekly group lessons, rides through the Saint-Germain forest, and five to ten competitions per year.

Boarding in historic suburb

Sixty-five students from 26 countries speaking 14 languages live in four historic French houses, choosing between five-day and seven-day residence formats. The Responsible Living Status program develops autonomy and leadership under the guidance of Boarding Parents, who maintain contact with faculty. Annual programming includes 20 excursions: cultural trips to Paris and language immersion journeys to England, Ireland, the United States, Spain, and Germany. Maisons-Laffitte’s location lets boarders practice French in local bakeries and cafés while keeping museums and capital events within easy reach.