The transition from elementary to middle school represents an important stage for students and their families. For bilingual children in Paris, it also brings a particularly broad range of possibilities, from French schools with international sections to bilingual programmes and international schools. To help families better understand these options, Lennen Bilingual School hosted a dedicated information session with Eléonore Vidal de la Blache on choosing the right middle school for a bilingual child.
Open to parents across all grades, and particularly relevant for Grade 4 and Grade 5 families, the session provided an opportunity to look ahead, understand the different educational systems available, and consider the factors that can guide each family’s decision.
Understanding the different pathways after Lennen
One of the central themes of the session was the diversity of educational pathways available in Paris.
Eléonore presented three main possibilities: French public schools with international sections, private schools offering international sections or English curricula, and international schools. These pathways differ in their academic systems and environments, the diplomas they offer, and the routes they provide towards higher education.
The presentation gave parents concrete examples of schools within these different categories. Private schools with international sections or bilingual programmes discussed during the session included La Tour Paris, Concordia School Paris, Collège Sévigné, Collège/Lycée EIB and École Jeannine Manuel. International options presented included the International School of Paris, ICS and the American School of Paris, alongside École Jeannine Manuel.
Rather than identifying one pathway for every bilingual student, the session offered families a clearer understanding of the range of possibilities available to them.
Finding the right environment for each child
The workshop also invited parents to look beyond the name of a school and consider the individual profile of their child.
Strengths and learning style, academic environment, language preferences and school culture were among the factors explored. The presentation also considered the family’s broader circumstances, including school location, costs, reputation and longer-term plans, particularly whether a family intends to remain in France or may move abroad.
These considerations provided parents with a framework for approaching the transition as an individual decision, taking into account both the student and the family when exploring the options ahead.
Lennen students beyond elementary school
For Lennen families, these pathways are already reflected in the experiences of former students.
Lennen students have gone on to thrive in a range of French, bilingual and international schools, including institutions discussed during the session such as La Tour Paris and Concordia School Paris. Their different trajectories illustrate the variety of directions that students can take after completing their elementary education at Lennen.
This connection with former students is also incorporated into Lennen’s approach to preparing Grade 5 students for what comes next. As part of the Middle School Readiness Program, former Lennen students currently attending Paris middle schools are invited to return and speak with Grade 5 students about their experiences and their own transition journey.
Their experiences offer current students and families a concrete perspective on the transition and demonstrate that the next stage after Lennen can take many different forms.
Understanding BFI, IB and different educational systems
For families navigating bilingual education, understanding the qualifications associated with different schools is another important part of the process.
The session compared the Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) and the International Baccalaureate (IB), examining their different curricula, languages of instruction, assessment structures and educational environments. The BFI combines the French curriculum with an international section, while the IB follows an international programme offered within international schools.
This comparison helped place the different schools within their wider educational systems, giving parents clearer reference points as they consider the academic pathways available after Lennen.
Preparing early for the transition
For Grade 4 and Grade 5 families in particular, preparing for middle school begins well before the final day of elementary school.
The session outlined a series of steps for Grade 4 families, beginning with clarifying priorities, researching schools and assessing a child’s academic and language profile. The process then moves towards shortlisting schools, attending open days, contacting admissions teams and beginning applications.
The information session forms part of Lennen’s broader Middle School Readiness Program, which also includes a student transition toolkit, interview preparation on a case-by-case basis, individual guidance, administrative support and opportunities for students to hear directly from Lennen alumni about their experiences.
The transition to middle school is not defined by a single school or educational system. For Lennen families, the session provided a structured opportunity to understand the choices available, reflect on their child’s individual profile and begin preparing for the next stage of their educational journey.
