Schools in Monaco for families offer more than just academics – they create a lifestyle of cultural richness, multilingual learning, and community warmth. From public French schools to private bilingual academies, Monaco’s education system feels both familiar and refined. In this guide, we explore the range of schools in Monaco for families looking for structure, global options, or a blend of both.

A Heartfelt Welcome to Learning in Monaco

In Monaco, choosing a school feels different-but delightfully so. Within minutes, you can walk from a charming Montessori kindergarten nestled between pastel buildings to a prestigious lycée perched by the sea. It’s a place where education meets elegance, tradition meets innovation, and every pathway feels thoughtfully designed.

Whether you’re a new family finding your footing-or a local parent weighing system types-this guide walks you through the choices with warmth and clarity.

1. The Education System at a Glance

Monaco’s schools follow the French national curriculum, managed by the Direction de l’Éducation Nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports (DENJS), but thoughtfully tweaked to reflect local culture. From the first day of nursery, students learn French, enriched with Monégasque language lessons, English from an early age, and lessons about Monaco’s history. Even parents who passed through schools decades ago often say the Principality’s rhythm makes learning feel both worldly and deeply rooted.

The education ladder is familiar:

• Maternelle (ages 3-5)
• École Primaire (ages 6-10)
• Collège (ages 11-14)
• Lycée (ages 15-18) – offering general, technological, or vocational tracks

By the time teens reach lycée, most are preparing for the French Baccalauréat, though some opt for the International Baccalaureate in international schools.

2. Schools in Monaco for families – Public Schools – Your Local, Free Option

Public schools are free for residents and split by neighborhood, making the school run a social moment to gather or stretch the legs.

• École de la Condamine sits on Rue Saige in the artsy Condamine district-after school, parents perch at the neighboring bistro while kids wave their latest artwork.
• École des Révoires, near Jardin Exotique, has terrace views; children learn classroom lessons and sometimes wander the garden for perspective.
• Teens flow into Collège Charles III, now in its elegant new campus on Promenade Honoré II, before continuing to either Lycée Albert I or Lycée Rainier III depending on academic track.

The daily rhythm mirrors the French system: classes usually start mid-morning, with Wednesdays half-days and a rhythm that leaves afternoons free for after-school clubs or family time.

3. Schools in Monaco for families – Private Schools Under State Contract

For families wanting tradition and structure with a personal touch, private schools under contract are a beautiful middle ground.

• FANB (François d’Assise  – Nicolas Barré) brings the French curriculum with caring values, from nursery through lycée- community feels and smaller classes included.

There’s no tuition-free path here, but many Montenegrin parents appreciate the sense of belonging and the continuity from class to graduation.

4. International & Bilingual Education Options

Monaco offers two standout international choices:

International School of Monaco (ISM)

• Ages 3- 18, bilingual early years, then English-led curricula.
• Since 2024, the school has migrated to 43 Avenue Princesse Grace, housed in the sleek Testimonio II building.
• Fully accredited as an IB World Continuum School, offering PYP, MYP, IB DP, and CP programs. Students hail from 60+ nations-a mini world in one school.

British School of Monaco

• Following the UK national curriculum through A-Levels, beloved for its structured learning and parent-friendly intimacy.

5. Curriculum Differences: Aligning with Your Family’s Future

• French curriculum (public/private under contract) focuses on depth, structure, and progression to local higher education.
• IB and UK paths (ISM/British School) prioritize inquiry, breadth, and international university access.

Choosing depends on your family’s priorities- professional alignment, future mobility, or local integration. Monaco meets all these choices with confident excellence

These schools fill quickly, but they offer cultural fluency, global mobility, and deeply international communities.

6. Schools in Monaco for families – School Year & Daily Life in Monaco

• School year spans early September to late June, with breaks in October, December, February, and spring-mirroring French holidays.
• Languages: French is the official medium. However, English is introduced from nursery, and Monégasque is a compulsory subject through collège, preserving local heritage.

Parents often note that school days end around 3- 4 PM, perfect timing for gelato breaks or sports classes afterward.

7. Admissions – How to Secure a Place

• Public schools: Assignments are based on residential address- start the process early with DENJS.
• Private & international schools: Most require early February- March applications- expect interviews, school tours, or language assessments.

Many parents begin this journey during their first summer here- staff are welcoming, and appointments open doors quickly.

8. Schools in Monaco for families – A Word from Families Living Here

Two themes run through all schools in Monaco:

• Size – Classes are small enough that teachers know your child’s favorite game.
• Integration – Whether your child speaks French, English, or another language, Monaco adapts. Schools help smooth transitions- through language support, buddy systems, or extra help.