Authentic American education
within a top French public school,
from pre-K to 12 (MS-Terminale)
Our graduates attend the world’s
top universities, with 100%
success on the coveted OIB diploma
Bilingual and bicultural: rigorous
native English instruction
alongside a full French curriculum
14 international sections in
the French Lycée, creating
friendships to last a lifetime
A full range of co-curriculars and
community service to build
the whole person
The American Section
of the Lycée International
Welcome To
The Lycée International, established just outside Paris over a half-century ago by Dwight D. Eisenhower, offers a unique approach to bilingual and bicultural education for children ages 4 to 18.
Students learn from native English-speaking faculty in the American Section. They also follow a full French curriculum within the Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a public institution ranked among France’s top schools. With 99–100% success on the prestigious OIB diploma (baccalauréat avec option internationale), our graduates go on to the world’s finest universities. Students with limited French can join Français Spécial for one year of language immersion.
The Lycée unites students from 14 international sections. The result is a true multilingual, multicultural experience, with friendships that span the globe and last a lifetime.
University Admissions
On the last day of Section class the Fifth Grade classes from Ecole Schnapper and the Lycée International came together for a morning of sports activities.The students ran relays, competed in egg-on-the-spoon races, battled in a tug-of-war, tried their aiming skills with a bean bag toss game and tested their skills at accuracy kicking. It was a fun way to end the year and to welcome in summer…
The Class of 2023 was celebrated with two memorable graduation ceremonies. The intimate American Section ceremony included student awards and thought provoking speeches, as well as presentation of high school diplomas. The Lycée-wide OIB ceremony brought together some 350 students from 14 international sections.
The primary school's hot air balloon mural, Fresque de Mongolfières was recently inauguerated. Mme. Gagneur congratulated Sections for their commitment to the project and a student from each Section presented their balloon and explained the symbolism behind their design.
We are extremely proud of the 61 members of the American Section Class of 2023, the last ever OIB class!
Their honors rate is as follows:
- 15% mention assez bien
- 48% mention bien
- 34% mention très bien
- 2% mention très bien avec félicitations du jury
Feelings of pride and effervescence were palpable as members of the class of 2023 gathered at the Golf de Bethemont to celebrate the ultimate accomplishment: the successful completion of their OIB exams. The evening was picture-perfect, including a champagne reception, a delicious three-course dinner, and dancing.What a fabulous way to celebrate our graduates and to wish them well as they head out into the world!
Dozens of American and British Section Troisièmes gathered to fête the arrival of summer--and the end of the school year at the annual Junior Prom held at the Carré des Mousquetaires in Port Marly. All were dressed in their finest and enjoyed a glamorous evening of fancy food and dancing. This was one for the ages!
The Third Graders have spent the last few months putting to use all that they’ve learned in the past two years of American Section Science classes. Students selected a question, composed a hypothesis, conducted an experiment, and communicated their results. They presented their projects to parents and other guests at the annual Science Fair.
58 excited Fifth Graders took to the stage on Tuesday evening after a grand star-studded, red-carpet entrance. The diplomas were awarded as a full-screen image of each child’s red-carpet walk-of-stars picture was projected. The students ended their part of the program with a very energetic rendition of Fifty Nifty United States.
Players from all sections from GS to CM2 competed in our annual Tournoi des Futures Etoiles that was held in Chambourcy. It was a glorious day with hundreds of players representing their sections and playing some great soccer. Bravo to the five American Section Lower School teams!
On Saturday, June 17, our 59 Troisième students were honored at graduation. They have worked hard, put in the extra hours, and have managed to win our hearts as well! We couldn’t be prouder of their many accomplishments and we are grateful for the memories we were able to make with them.
This year's trip to Parc Astérix was a smashing success! What better way to end the school year for our students than to have a whole day devoted to sheer fun. Cinquièmes and Quatrièmes had a fabulous day at the amusement park, riding the rides and watching the shows. What a great way to end the year.
The Lower School play was a huge succes almost selling out on Friday evening! There were two nights with two casts. The ensemble cast did a great job with this musical adaptation of the Disney classic, The Lion King. Congratulations to the cast and to Ms. Champouillon, Director.
Sunday, June 11, was the annual Tournoi des Etoiles soccer tournament for Middle and Upper school students. Our five American Section teams played with amazing enthusiasm on a hot and long day. Special congratulations to the Stars who won the Juniors tournament (for Quatrièmes and Troisièmes), as well as the Eagles (Cinquièmes) who won the Cadet championship!
Question: What do you do when you have dozens of energetic 16-year-olds, a moonlit sky, and a boat perfectly fitted out for a fun evening out? Answer: Just add water--the River Seine, to be precise--stir, and you have the most wonderful, memorable, fun dance any Seconde could wish for! Such an evening is what memories are made of--the kind that will linger for days, weeks, and months to come.
Zaniness was the key ingredient in last week's doubleheader Middle School theater presentation. The Poe Plays centered on four junior high school students attempt to scare each other through the telling of Poe's classic tales, while the second half was a modern-day twist on Doctor Faustus--set in a high school, of all places--the actors milked Faustus' deal for all it was worth, bringing down the house in the process.
The Lycée en Fête is a much anticipated Lycée-wide celebration that mobilizes the entire community and features culinary and cultural stands from each of the school's 14 international section. Thank you to all the amazing volunteers and customers who made our American Section stand a great success this year.
There are few more sacred events in an American high school's social calendar than Senior Prom--and last Wednesday's extravaganza at the Golf de Feucherolles did not disappoint. More than 250 glamorously attired Terminales hit the dance floor at the first thundering bass note...and did not stop until midnight. Thanks to the student organizers and chaperones!
Congratulations to Tachyon Racing, a group of five American Section Troisième students who recently participated in the "F1 in Schools" French national competition at the Paul Ricard race track in Marseilles. The boys earned the Prize of Honor competing against students who were much older than them.
Troisièmes recently a week totally disconnected from social media. Together they removed related apps from their phone, and vowed to stay off social media for a week. In our follow-up conversations, it was apparent little was missed and much more was gained.
The exhibit of our Eco Art Project Week creations has been enchanting viewers in the Primary Building, Level 3, on the Lycée campus this past week. From saving trees to saving oceans, and building awareness through art that delivers a message, the American Section has truly succeeded
Jon Boafo ’03
Grace Baghdadi ’18
Graham Speier
Kim Murphy
Jonathan Whitney ’97
Thomas Perkins, 1ère
Jaade Husson, CM1
Elena Auroy, 5ème
Voices of the American Section
- Alumnus
Jon Boafo ’03
“The American Section taught me the importance of having the right people around you. To this day, classmates from the Lycée are among my closest friends. American Section faculty were rock stars - they did everything to ensure that we had the best environment to grow. And I’ll be forever grateful for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to immerse myself in other languages and cultures.”
- Alumna
Grace Baghdadi ’18
“The American Section provided the best preparation possible for college in the US. Not only was it an excellent academic foundation, thanks to our English and History classes, but it also allowed me access to American culture through various extracurricular clubs and the community. The French system also supplied me with the rigor necessary to succeed at a challenging place like Yale.”
- Faculty & Parent
Graham Speier
“It's a pleasure to teach tomorrow's leaders at the American Section. Our student body, composed of nationalities from all over the world, continue to impress me with their keen minds and curious spirits. I love guiding my students on the path to excellence, and take pride in helping them grasp the complexities of modern history. Students here are among the best minds out there today, making my job at the Section that much more engaging and enlightening.”
- Parent
Kim Murphy
“I chose the American Section of the Lycée International for my children because I wanted them to grow and learn in an environment similar to that of my own childhood in the United States, with the added bonus of learning with students from the other international sections of the school. In addition to learning an American curriculum, my children share American culture and traditions with their classmates. I’ve also become an active volunteer, which allows me to interact more with the faculty and staff as well as the other Section families. This community has become our children's American family in France.”
- Alumnus
Jonathan Whitney ’97
“Some of my closest friends, almost 25 years on, are people I met at the Lycée. Despite being separated over long distances we remain in close touch and try to see each other when we can. Having this core group of friends has been a great constant over a period of a lifetime that involves continuous change. Through college, starting out in the professional world, and eventually starting my own family, it has been wonderful to continue to grow up with some of the same people and see how all these different phases link together.”
- Student
Thomas Perkins, 1ère
“As an American Section student, I can take advantage of a wide variety of extra-curricular activities, as well as a wonderful and engaging academic life. In both the classroom and the podium during MUN, or working as a photographer during a yearbook photoshoot, the American Section gives us the ability to grow and learn skills, and helps us find who we are and who we’ll become after we leave.”
- Student
Jaade Husson, CM1
“I love the American Section. We don't just study grammar, spelling, sciences... but we also have time for art and library, amazing class projects and a lot of fun activities such as theater, community service, robotics, and Irish dancing. In the American Section I feel just like in my old school in the United States, but here my friends are from around the world.”
- Student
Elena Auroy, 5ème
“What I really love most about the American Section is the atmosphere: it is always cool and calm and you are always welcomed. It really makes you want to learn. Our teachers help us and joke with us, and they always find a way to make the lesson interesting. What I also like about the American Section is that they organize and truly put hard work into the dances and trips.”