Public School or Private School?

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Unless you take a séjour during the summer months, your kids will need to continue their education. Here are some things to think about.

Local public schools

• The child benefits from true cultural immersion and assimilation into local community
• The best way to learn a foreign language is full immersion
• Free! or close to it.
• As the outsider, it may be harder to make friends
• Do some research – confirm that attending the local school is an option. In some cases there may be some bureaucratic hurdles to jump. 

Private schools

• You will find a variety of options: international, bilingual, religious, etc.
• Might be more comfortable for kids who do not speak the local language
• Internationals schools would likely have a large expat community
• The child may not become as proficient in the local language
• The child may be “sheltered” from the local culture
• Costs vary, but can be quite expensive

* There are unique challenges to planning a séjour. For more information, please check out our Séjour Planning Services or contact me.

Related blog posts:

American kids, French school

Enrolling in French public school