International, private, and public elementary and secondary schools

Are you moving to Luxembourg and want your child to continue their education in their original school system? Would you prefer an alternative to the Luxembourg public school system?

Choosing an international school in Luxembourg

Luxembourg has a strong education system with a wide range of international, private, and public schools. There isa lot ofchoice . Which school should you choose?

When choosing a school for your child, it is important to consider factors such as the curriculum, location, admission policies, and cost, as well as the support offered to families.

Here you will find all the information you need about private and international education options as an alternative to the Luxembourg public school system.

Calendar of Open Days at international schools in Luxembourg

International and private school systems

Schooling is compulsory until the age of 18 in Luxembourg.

Reminder of the Luxembourg school system

The Luxembourg school system is primarily public. It is free for families, except for school meals in the lower grades and other miscellaneous costs.

Language learning is one of the main strengths of the Luxembourg school system. From an early age, children learn the three official languages (Luxembourgish, German, and French). By the end ofprimary school, children are already proficient in these three languages.

When they start high school, children begin learning English. They continue learning languages throughout their secondary education.

The transition from Luxembourg primary school (six years of education) to a secondary school outside the Luxembourg system requires admission based on an assessment of the applicant's academic record, at a minimum. Applicants may even be required to take an additional exam.

International school system, an alternative to the Luxembourg system

As an alternative to the Luxembourg public school system, there are several international schools in Luxembourg, both public and private.

International and private schools in Luxembourg

The best-known private international schools in Luxembourg are the International School of Luxembourg (ISL), St. George's International School, the European School, and the Ecole et Lycée Français Vauban.

Other popular private schools in Luxembourg include the École privée Notre-Dame Sainte-Sophie, which offers French and Luxembourgish curricula, the Ecole Fieldgen for Luxembourgish education, and the École Waldorf de Mersch, which offers international education. See Luxembourg high schools.

Which school system is best for your child?

Before deciding on the school curriculum for your children, it is important to compare the different schools and programs on offer. Your decision should take into account factors such as location, curriculum, language of instruction, and extracurricular activities.

Curriculum of international and private schools

International schools in Luxembourg generally offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, the British, European, or French curriculum.

Luxembourg private schools may offer several curricula, including the French or German curriculum, as well as IB programs.

Admissions to private schools in Luxembourg

Admission policies vary depending on the school. However, international and private schools in Luxembourg generally require students to submit an application based on their academic record.

The admission process may also include interviews, tests, and/or essays. Some schools also require students to demonstrate proficiency in the language of instruction.

Corps Enseignant offers private lessons in science subjects to help students succeed in school.

Cost of private school tuition

Unlike Luxembourg's public schools, which offer free education, international and private schools in Luxembourg charge tuition fees.

Tuition fees can range from around €5,000 to €25,000 per year, depending on the school and the level of education.

School locations

International and private schools in Luxembourg are located throughout the country. Many schools are located in or near the capital, Luxembourg City.

It is important to consider location when choosing a school for your child. Travel time and easy access to public transportation are major factors to consider if you need to choose a new place to live. Choose your neighborhood based on your children's schools.

Choosing an international school in Luxembourg

We have listed the international schools where you can enroll your child in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. These schools offer an international curriculum and prepare students for a high school diploma that is recognized outside Luxembourg.

French and French-speaking schools, French middle schools, and high schools

Would you like to enroll your children in a French or French-speaking nursery school, school, middle school, or high school?

Only two schools in Luxembourg offer French education recognized by the French Ministry of Education and the AEFE (Association des Etablissements Français à l'Etranger):

• Ecole et Lycée Français Vauban in Luxembourg-Gasperich,
• Notre-Dame Saint-Sophie School in Luxembourg-Weimershof.

To date, only the Lycée Vauban prepares students for the French baccalaureate.

English schools and British high schools

Given Luxembourg's multicultural nature, there is a wide range of schools offering a British curriculum. Students prepare for the A-Levels.

These include the following schools:

• Saint George's International School, located in Luxembourg-Hamm,
• ISL, International School of Luxembourg, located in Luxembourg-Merl
• the European School, located in Luxembourg-Kirchberg and Mamer
• the Luxembourgish high school Michel Lucius , located in Luxembourg-Limpertsberg.

International and European high schools

International and European high schools prepare students in Luxembourg for higher education abroad. The diplomas awarded are internationally recognized. Students prepare for the International Baccalaureate or the European Baccalaureate.

At the end of secondary school, students can choose between continuing their higher education in Luxembourg or at international universities.

International schools

Several public high schools and private fee-paying schools in Luxembourg offer international baccalaureates. These are recognized by many higher education institutions around the world.

• Athenée de Luxembourg public high school in English
• Centre Technical Public High School in Luxembourg in French
• Mathias Adam public high school in Lamadelaine and Differdange) in French
• Private International School of Luxembourg in English and in conjunction with the IGCSE
• OTR International School private school in French and English
• Waldorfschool private school in German and English.

European schools

The European School I (Luxembourg-Kirchberg) and II (Mamer) are European institutions, dedicated more specifically to the children of European civil servants. However,they do accept other students, depending on the number of places available in each specific section.

Several public high schools in Luxembourg also offer a European curriculum (primary and secondary), leading to the European Baccalaureate at the end of the final year. This is particularly the case for the following schools:

• Lenster International High School in Junglinster LLIS
• Edward Steichen School in Clervaux (EIEC)
• Differdange and Esch-sur-Alzette International School (EIDE)
• Anne Beffort International School in Mersch (EIMAB)
• Mondorf les Bains International School (EIMBL)
• Gaston Thorn International School in Luxembourg EIGT.

For further information on the International Baccalaureate, visit www.ibo.org.

Find the list of high school open days in Luxembourg here

Enroll your child in an international school

Places in private or international schools are limited. Your child's academic record maybe reviewed or an entrance exam may be required in order for them to change schools during the school year.

Remember to check the registration deadlines several months before the start of the school year in September! Open days are usually held from March onwards, giving you the opportunity to visit the schools.

Visit the Maison de l'Orientation website for a complete map of schools in Luxembourg: a summary of the different school systems and the specific features of each school, college, or high school.

To find out more about primary education in Luxembourg

Private international schools in Luxembourg

Vauban French School Campus

The French Vauban Campus comprises a nursery school, primary school, middle school, and high school in Luxembourg. It has been located in Luxembourg-Gasperich since the start of the 2017 school year in the new Ban de Gasperich district. The campus is served by the tramway at the Lycée Vauban stop.

The Vauban Campus is a private educational institution in Luxembourg, accredited by the French Ministry of Education. It is part of the AEFE network of French schools abroad. The programs followed by students comply with French requirements and prepare them for French educational qualifications.

International German and English classes are also offered.

Thanks to a competent and attentive team, the school offers personalized support to all its students in order to establish a relationship of trust with their parents.

Vauban French Nursery and Primary School

The Vauban Nursery and Primary School (formerly the Ecole Française de Luxembourg EFL) welcomes children aged 3 (from the first year of nursery school) to 11 (CM2). German is taught from the second year of nursery school onwards.

Vauban French Middle and High School

The school welcomes children aged 11 to 18, straight from primary school, to prepare them for the Brevet des Collèges and French Baccalauréat exams.

The pass rate for the 2023 baccalaureate was 100% in all sections: ES, L, S, and STMG. The baccalaureate exams are taken within the school itself.

Language learning, international and European sections

At Vauban Middle and High School, languages are a key focus for the teaching staff. The school places great emphasis on foreign language learning, including German, Italian, Chinese, and Spanish. The school prepares students for Cambridge, Goethe, and Cervantes certifications.

The school offers a European section (British and German) accessible from the second year onwards. The baccalaureate diploma will thus be annotated "European section" with an indication of the language.

The international section (British and German) is available from sixth grade or tenth grade. The French baccalaureate then has an OIB option with mention of the language. The German Ministry of Education awards the Abitur to students in the German OIB.

Enrollment at Vauban and open house

To enroll at Lycée Vauban, all students must pre-register online starting in February for the following school year.

Please note: students coming from a different school system must take an entrance exam. Students in the fifth year of the Luxembourg primary school system can apply for admission to the sixth year at Lycée Vauban. Once pre-registration has been completed, children will be invited to take entrance exams in several subjects. These exams are based on the French National Education program for grades CM2 (last year of primary school) to sixième (first year of secondary school).

During its open house, Lycée Vauban not only presents its facilities and courses of study, but also allows students and their parents to meet teachers and current students, attend experiments, and observe student work. The open house also provides an opportunity to learn about the various enrollment procedures.

Tuition fees are approximately €5,000 per student per year at Lycée Vauban.

Notre-Dame Sainte Sophie French Primary and Middle School

In addition to the Luxembourg school system, Notre Dame Sainte Sophie also offers a French curriculum at the preschool, elementary, and middle school levels. It is a Christian school located in the Luxembourg-Weimershof neighborhood .

The Sainte-Sophie French school has been open since 2007. It is accredited by the French Ministry of Education. It is a partner institution of the AEFE, the Agency for French Education Abroad. 600 students attend the school.

In the French school system, children are accepted from the age of 3 (nursery school) to 11 (CM2) and follow the French National Education curriculum. German is taught from nursery school onwards.

Collège Sainte-Sophie offers French-language instruction to enable students to reintegrate into a French middle school or high school abroad. Luxembourg's multiculturalism and multilingualism provide an ideal environment for learning German and English from the sixth grade onwards. One hour of class time per week is devoted to learning the Luxembourgish language and culture.

Registration opens in January for the following school year.

Please note: if your child comes from the Luxembourg school system and you wish to enroll them in the Collège français Sainte-Sophie, they must have completed six years of elementary school.

More information on high schools and secondary education in Luxembourg

There may be differences between the French and Luxembourgish education systems.

Tuition fees are approximately €4,000 per year for primary school and €3,000 for secondary school.

European School I and II in Luxembourg

Curriculum at the European School in Luxembourg

The European School in Luxembourg welcomes children aged 4 to 18 throughout their school career: from nursery school to primary school and through to the end of secondary school. The European School's school-leaving certificate is the European Baccalaureate, which is recognized throughout Europe.

There are two campuses, one in Luxembourg-Kirchberg for European School I and the other in Mamer for European School II. Assignment to one or the other school depends on the parents' place of residence and the school section chosen.

Both European Schools I and II offer three cycles of education: nursery, primary, and secondary, and each has an English-speaking, French-speaking, and German-speaking section. Irish is also taught in both schools.

The European School I gives priority to students whose language and kindergarten section is Bulgarian, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish. The European School II gives priority to pupils whose mother tongue is Czech, Danish, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Maltese, Romanian, Slovenian, Slovak, and Croatian, and who attend the nursery section.

In most cases, teaching is in the child's mother tongue, except in special circumstances. The second language in primary education can be chosen from English, French, or German. A third and fourth foreign language are gradually introduced in secondary school classes.
Children who speak a language that is not taught at the European School will be directed to one of the German, English, or French sections. In order to facilitate the linguistic integration of these children, language support courses are offered.

The high language level of students graduating from the European School is recognized by many universities in Europe, which do not require additional language tests such as IELTS for admission.

Enrollment at the European School of Luxembourg

Priority for enrollment at the European School is given to children of European civil servants. However, depending on availability, other children may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Applications for enrollment are accepted between April and May for the start of the school year in September. Parents will be informed by the school in mid-July whether their application has been accepted.

Tuition fees vary according to three categories:

• Category I: pupils with one parent employed by one of the European institutions or an equivalent organization for the school year in question; these pupils are exempt from paying tuition fees
• Category II: pupils whose parents are employed by a company or organization that undertakes to pay the child's school fees
• Category III: other students

International School of Luxembourg – ISL

The International School of Luxembourg, in Luxembourg-Merl, offers the International Baccalaureate. It is recognized by the European Council of International Schools and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The ISL welcomes children aged 3 to 18 (end of secondary school).

ISL offers university preparatory courses leading to the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma or IB certificate and the ISL secondary school diploma. French and German are taught from primary school onwards.

The ISL's stated aim is to enable students to thrive within the school, but above all in today's multicultural and multilingual societies. Intellectual, physical, and emotional balance is a priority. The school offers a variety of sports, recreational, and creative activities.

The enrollment process takes place one year in advance. Parents must complete an online form and attend an individual interview. Admission is based on the application. Language requirements vary depending on the grade the child is entering, as follows:

• Grade 8 (equivalent to 8th grade in the French school system): ability to work with a level of English – Advanced Beginner
• Grade 9: ability to work with a level of English – Higher Intermediate
• Grade 10/11: ability to work with English at the Academic level.

An entrance exam is required for each level. The student/teacher ratio is 8:1.

Registration fees vary depending on the class. Tuition fees are around €20,000 per student per year.

The ISL was founded in 1963 under the name Ecole Privée Dupont de Nemours to educate the children of Dupont de Nemours employees. Supported by the Luxembourg government, the school was able to benefit from larger and more suitable premises before being bought by Goodyear. It is renowned as the English language school in Luxembourg. Today, the school has around 1,300 students of 50 different nationalities.

St George's International School in Luxembourg

Located in Luxembourg-Hamm, St George's School is a renowned educational institution for British education in Luxembourg. It prepares students for the GCSE General Certificate of Secondary Education and A-levels.

Pupils are accepted from the age of 3 in primary school and from 11 to 18 in secondary school. A wide range of extracurricular activities are also offered.

Tuition fees are approximately €16,000 per year per child.

OTR International School

Formerly known as Over The Rainbow, OTR International School is a private international school in Luxembourg-Belair. It offers bilingual education in French and English.

The school welcomes children from 3 years old up to secondary school age. Students can choose between a French section and an English section. It is possible to learn a third language from secondary school onwards.

OTR International School promotes language learning, science and maths, general knowledge, and digital skills.

Les Poussins, French-speaking nursery and preschool in Luxembourg

Les Poussins is a French-speaking nursery and preschool located in Luxembourg-Bonnevoie. The Mini-Collège preschool is located in the Kirchberg district of Luxembourg.

The school welcomes children aged 18 months to 6 years from 7:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m., Monday to Friday. The school is run by a team of preschool teachers and a nurse.

Charlemagne French Preschool and Elementary School

The Charlemagne School is a French nursery and primary school located in the municipality of Walferdange.

Teaching and methodologies are offered in a traditional style and a family spirit. Please note that the school is not accredited by the French National Education System.

Waldorfchoul Lëtzebuerg School

The Waldorfchoul Lëtzebuerg School is a private international school in Luxembourg offering kindergarten, primary, and secondary classes in Luxembourgish, German, and French.

English is taught as a foreign language.

The school follows the Steiner-Waldorf educational philosophy, which is based on human freedom and recognition of the individual. It offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

Scuola materna cattolica internazionale

The SMCI is a Catholic nursery school for children up to the age of 6. Recognized by the Luxembourg Ministry of Education, it offers teaching in two languages of your choice from French, Italian, and English.

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