Ermitage International School -

Ermitage International School

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Relocate Editorial 12 November 2024

Next online open house will be held on November 16th. Please register through this link or find more information at https://www.ermitage.fr/.

Ermitage is a day and boarding school that welcomes children from all over the world in an exceptional setting just a stone’s throw from Paris.

Founded in 1941, Ermitage International School of France is a day and boarding school offering an international education for more than 1,500 students from pre-K to High School. Located just 20 kilometers west of Paris in the historic and picturesque suburb of Maisons-Laffitte, Ermitage enjoys a safe, green, and peaceful setting. Ermitage’s diverse, cosmopolitan community embraces students from over 80 different nationalities, creating a vibrant and global environment where students explore, study, socialise, and thrive.

At Ermitage, students have a choice between the French Bilingual Programmes from 3 to 18 and the International Baccalaureate programmes in English with a bilingual diploma option as well, from 11 to 18. The opening of the International Primary Programme (Ages 8-11, English instruction) for the 2025-26 school year, complete this offer, providing the perfect springboard for international, inquiry-based, education. These programmes are united by shared values, a multilingual campus, and an openness to the world. Ermitage International School strive to build their programmes upon an educational foundation that values curiosity, critical thinking skills, innovation, and ambition, so that their young scholars are confident and prepared to take on the world of tomorrow. Ermitage International School believes learning should also include cultural and athletic activities to help our students excel in a broader context. Whether a day student, or a 5 or 7-day boarder, everyone gets to participate in a rich student life experience. Ermitage offers a broad range of after-school activities provided by various school and city infrastructures: horseback riding, golf, tennis, swimming, rowing, football, volleyball, and so much more!

Maisons-Laffitte: Your Home Away From Home

Boarding students get to experience French life in a beautiful place. The pedestrian-friendly town and green park space of Maisons-Laffitte offer the comfort and safety all families desire for their children, while still allowing easy access to Paris just a 20 minute train ride away and all of its museums, monuments and cultural events.

The boarders have access to shops, sports facilities, bakeries and cafés, giving them fun opportunities to connect with the local community, practice their French language skills and taste local delicacies. Being a boarder at Ermitage means enjoying the best of both worlds!

Student testimonies

International Programmes

From age 8, students can join the International Primary Programme, an English-instruction programme, with daily French lessons and celebration of Home Languages built into this highly international environment. It is an ideal gateway to the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP).

The International Baccalaureate programmes are part of a world-renowned education framework, recognised by top universities across the globe. The student-led approach aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people, ready to face challenges and embrace opportunities. At Ermitage, our students are provided with a nurturing and international environment throughout their IB experience—from their lower school program, which is the perfect springboard into IB programs, to the IB Middle Years Program (IB MYP) and the IB Diploma Program (IB DP). Small class sizes mean teachers can provide each and every one of their IB students with individualised coaching, follow their academic progress, provide guidance individually or in small groups, and ensure each child is being adequately challenged and supported in their learning.

Ermitage International School takes pride in the hardworking students who undertake the IB. The IB offers a balanced timetable with rigorous academics taught in English, including comprehensive French classes for all students from beginner to native-level, and co-curricular activities. Ambitious though this programme may be, their students rise to the challenge with proactivity, independence, open-mindedness, and determination to achieve excellence in all that they do.

French Bilingual Programmes

With the French Bilingual Programmes, Ermitage offers a bilingual instruction from Maternelle to Terminale (Pre-K to 12th grade), leading to the French Baccalaureate. Starting at the age of 3, students in our Pre-K and Primary School begin to foster the love of learning in French and English. Children begin to actively participate at their own pace and gain self-awareness during these first formative years.
Collège (6ème-4ème/6th-8th grade) is a time of discovery. Discovery of self, but also of the world around us. Middle schoolers learn to find their own way and expand their skills. By offering classes adapted to their level of learning in each major subject. Ermitage individually guide their students toward mastery of the academic pillars while stimulating their minds through interdisciplinary flexibility and bilingualism.
Lastly, in Lycée (3ème-Terminale/9th-12th grade) we lead students to their final accomplishment: the French Baccalaureate, with the International Option Baccalaureate (BFI). No matter what path their students follow, everyone at Ermitage acquires the experience necessary to achieve excellence and prepare for an ambitious post-secondary career.

Ermitage International School IB & Equestrian Programs

Equestrian Programmes

For over 80 years, Ermitage International School has deep roots in Maisons-Laffitte, known as ‘La Cité du Cheval’, and renowned for its equestrian heritage. Located in the heart of Maisons-Laffitte park, the school provides the perfect setting for horse riding and to combine students’ passion for horses with academic excellence. Ermitage International School offers for riders aged 11 to 18 two equestrian programmes, passion and competition, where they practice the following disciplines: jumping, dressage, and cross country.

To learn more about Ermitage International School, we invite you to explore the school’s website or reach out to the admissions team: admissions@ermitage.fr. They will be happy to provide you with any information you may need.