Programs

Bilingual Education from Early Age

Ermitage International School welcomes children from age three, building their educational path in two languages simultaneously. Native French and English speakers guide preschoolers and younger students through immersion that feels natural—woven into play, songs, and everyday conversation. Once children reach primary level, the approach gains structure: classes split into 60/40 or 50/50 formats depending on each child’s linguistic background, with francophones receiving ten weekly hours of English while bilinguals balance both languages equally. Reading develops through Borel Maisonny and Jolly Phonics methods, complemented by creative and physical growth via music, theater, and sports.

Middle School at Ermitage International School

Collège operates through a system unusual for France: students move between five ability groups per subject, regardless of their official grade level. This setup allows teaching to adapt more precisely to individual capabilities, while smaller groups accelerate progress for those who need it. Every student picks up a second foreign language—Mandarin, Spanish, or German—from their first year here. Advanced groups tackle history in English, and annual trips to England, Ireland, the USA, and beyond reinforce language skills in real contexts. The Round Square network and regular Placitum debates push students toward global thinking and public advocacy.

Lycée and French Baccalaureate Preparation

Ermitage International School folds ninth grade into its upper structure, smoothing the path toward exam preparation. Results validate this approach: eleven consecutive years have seen all graduates pass successfully, with 2023 bringing honors diplomas to 84 of 89 students. Bilingual learners can pursue BFI—an international variant of the French baccalaureate featuring deeper engagement with Anglo-American literature plus history-geography taught in English. This pathway preserves the French educational foundation while opening doors to universities across Britain and North America.

International Baccalaureate Programs

IB programs run parallel to the French track at Ermitage International School, serving families with global horizons. Younger students follow the International Primary Programme, which prepares them for MYP’s interdisciplinary approach. Here they develop projects that shift from group work in early years to personal research by the program’s fifth grade. Diploma Programme combines six subject groups with a mandatory core: Theory of Knowledge, a four-thousand-word essay, and the CAS project blending creativity, activity, and community service. Each student works with a support team—academic coaches through university counselors—who help map an individual route to their chosen university.