Acceptance Criteria and Testing

 

Acceptance to the American Section at Lycée International is based on overall academic achievement and the likelihood of success in the dual-culture, bilingual education program.

In addition, we seek to enroll students who have:

  • Native or near-native level English language proficiency (vocabulary, language skills, and reading ability)
  • Affinity with American culture

French language skills are not a requirement for applicants to the French-language immersion. There are, however, specific academic criteria to be met.

Testing in English is required at most levels (see below for the 2024-2025 dates).

All favorable recommendations are submitted to the Proviseur (Headmaster) of the French school for final approval.

Once a student has been accepted, an official acceptance letter will be mailed to parents.

Students are officially registered once completed paperwork has been returned and the registration fee and advance deposit paid.

2023-2024 Testing Information

Lower School Testing


Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten  (Moyenne Section/Grande Section)

  • For candidates living in the Paris area, in-person testing will take place on either Wednesday, March 20, 2024 or Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Families will receive their appointment information via email no later than February 12, 2024.
  • For candidates who live outside of the Paris area, testing will be conducted online between February 28, 2024 and April 12, 2024. Families will receive their appointment information via email no later than February 12, 2024.

Grades 1 - 3 (CP – CE2)

All candidates must be tested in English. Testing will be done individually with an American Section teacher.

  • For candidates living in the Paris area, in-person testing will take place between February 28, 2024 and April 12, 2024. Families will receive their appointment information via email no later than February 12, 2024.
  • For candidates who live outside of the Paris area, testing will be conducted online between February 28, 2024 and April 12, 2024. Families will receive their appointment information via email no later than February 12, 2024.

Grades 4 - 5 (CM1 -  CM2)

Testing is not done systematically at these two grade levels.

Each application will be fully evaluated by the Lower School Principal. In certain cases, testing in English will be done upon her recommendation. If testing is required, families will be notified by mid-March and an appointment will be scheduled during the month of April.

Middle and Upper School Testing


Grades 6 - 12 (Sixième – Terminale)

A written exam in English is required for all candidates. Testing will be conducted in small groups.

  • For candidates living in the Paris area, in-person testing will take place on Wednesday afternoon, February 7, 2024 (tentative). Families will receive their appointment information via email no later than January 22, 2024.
  • For candidates who live outside of the Paris area, testing will be conducted online on Saturday, February 10, 2024. Families will receive their appointment information via email no later than January 22, 2024.

French Immersion Candidates (Français Spécial)


Selected French immersion candidates will also have a second interview with one of our Français Spécial teachers. This can be done either online or in person. Please note that appointments are only scheduled after a candidate has been tested by the American Section.

Français Spécial

Children who have limited French may qualify for Français Spécial (FS), the Lycée International’s specially designed French-adaptation course.

Offered in one’s first year at the school, Français Spécial builds written and spoken French so that students may join regular classes held in French the following year.

Français Spécial classes are offered from second through tenth grade (CE12nde).