The private school market - France (2024)

1.2 France's private school market builds on its success

Non-contracted education in France represents just *.*% of the total number of schools, yet this trend has been steadily increasing since ****.

Share of non-contracted/ contracted private schools France: (***) Source: ****

A good way to understand the trend in private schools in France is to look at the number of pupils enrolled in these establishments since ****:

Trend in the number of pupils in non-contractual schools France, ****-****, in thousands Source: ****

Between **** and ****, the number of pupils enrolled in non-contractual schools rose from a few hundred (***) to over ***,***. In thirty years, this represents a ***-***-fold increase - an impressive feat that bears witness to a veritable transformation of the French educational landscape.

For more than ten years, the success of private schools outside contract has been illustrated by the opening of more and more establishments. In ****, **,*** students were enrolled in these alternative primary and secondary schools, representing just *.*% of all schoolchildren.

Growth in the number of non-contracted private schools France, ****-****, in number of units Source: ****

The number of non-contracted private schools is on the rise, reaching *,*** in ****. However, there will be a slowdown in the number of non-contracted private schools: *** in **** versus *** in ****. [***]

To assess the size of this market, we can take ...

2.1 Typology of demand

Elementary and pre-elementary pupils enrolled in non-contractual schools France, ****, in units and percentages Ministry of Education

This graph shows the number of elementary and pre-elementary pupils in France enrolled in non-contractual education in ****, in units and as a percentage. It can be seen that the proportion of non-contract pupils is highest in the très petite section, with *.*% of the total, or *,*** pupils. This share rapidly declines to *% in the first and second sections, and remains stable at around *.*% in subsequent grades, until CM* and CM*, when it reaches *.*% and *.*% respectively. This suggests a gradual decline in non-contractual enrolment as pupils progress through their school careers. Enrolments, meanwhile, vary little beyond the very early section, remaining between around *,*** and *,*** pupils per level, indicating stability in overall enrolments despite the falling proportion of non-contract pupils in the higher grades. However, it should be borne in mind that the très petite section is a class in its own right. The difference between très petite section and the rest is explained by the size of the total pupil population in each level. In très petite section, the total number of pupils (***) of the total number of children in the very early ...

2.2 Trends in private non-contractual schooling

growth in pupil numbers in non-contractual pre-school and elementary education France, ****-****, in units Ministry of Education

The number of pupils in non-contractual education rose steadily between **** and ****, from ***** to ***** pupils, an increase of ***%. This growth is particularly marked between **** and ****, with an increase of **%, and between **** and ****, with an increase of **%.

Evolution of private non-contractual secondary school pupil numbers France, ****-****, in units Ministry of Education

This table shows the evolution of pupil numbers inprivate non-contractual secondary education in France, from **** to ****. Up to ****, the data include all pupils, but the figures for **** and **** only concern pupils under **.

There is a gradual increase in middle school enrolment, from *,*** in **** to a peak of **,*** in ****, before a slight drop to **,*** in ****. In lycées, general and technological training courses have seen a gradual decline, reaching *,*** in ****. Vocational high school courses follow a similar trend, with a marked decline from over **,*** students in **** to just *,*** in ****.

These trends show a growing interest in non-contracted secondary schooling, while enrolments are declining in high school courses, particularly in vocational training

Trend in private non-contractual education pupil numbers (***) France, ****-****, in units Ministry of Education

This table illustrates the evolution of pupil numbers in private ...

2.2 Out-of-contract private schools as an alternative to a difficult school career

Non-contractual private schools have the advantage of being differently selective and welcoming students with learning difficulties or who have dropped out of school, offering them an alternative pedagogy.

At primary level, schools are chosen for their different pedagogical approach; on the other hand, "choosing a non-contractual secondary school is often the last resort to avoid a career change, an unwanted repeat year, or to remedy a lack of motivation. an unwanted repeat year, or to remedy a lack of commitment to schoolwork that compromises chances of success at the baccalaureate", sums up Thomas Jallaud, director of specialist publisher Fabert.[***]

As a result, the families of pupils repeating a year are among the targets of non-contracted private schools. In the graph below, we can see that the percentage of pupils repeating a year has fallen sharply since ****. CP pupils are also the most likely to repeat a year. In recent years, however, there has been an upward trend in repetition rates.

Trends in public-sector elementary school repetition rates France, ****-****, in Source: ****

In middle school, ninth graders repeat the most, with a rate of *% in ****.

Trends in public-sector secondary school repetition rates France, ****-****, in Source : Education.gouv High school is the ...

2.3 Private schools by socio-professional category

Despite the possibility of obtaining a scholarship to study in a private school (***), there is little social mix in private schools. in Paris, only *% of schoolchildren from disadvantaged socio-professional backgrounds attend private schools, despite the fact that **% of them live in the capital.

At national level, the situation is less extreme, as the graph below shows:

Social mix in private Catholic and public secondary schools France, ****, as % of total Source: ****

However, it is possible to receive a grant if your child attends a private school.

This scholarship is means-tested. More precisely, the following criteria are taken into account:

tax assessment, number of dependent children indicated on the tax assessment[***]

A *-level scale sets the different scholarship amounts. Thus, for the ****-** school year, the annual amount of the lycée scholarship was between :

*** euros (***) and *** euros (***). [***]

3.1 Growth in the number of non-contract private schools in France

Overall, there is a clear upward trend in the number of non-contracted schools, which are becoming an increasingly important part of the French educational landscape.

Trend in the proportion of private schools without contract among all schools France, ****-****, in percent Ministry of Education

Between **** and ****, the share of collèges/lycées hors-contrat increased by **%, while that of schools rose by **%.

Trend in the number of educational establishments (***) outside the contractual framework France, ****-****, in units Ministry of Education

The total number of non-contract educational establishments has risen steadily since ****: +**%

Growth in the number of non-contract schools (***) France, ****-****, in units Ministry of Education

Number of non-contract middle schools France, ****-****, in units Ministry of Education

Growth in the number of non-contractual high schools France, ****-****, in units Ministry of Education

Schools and collèges show a stable increase close to that of the average, since they represent the majority of establishments (***).In terms of lycées, there is a general downward trend in the number of vocational lycées, from *** in **** to *** in ****. This could indicate a decline in interest in this type of establishment, or a difficulty in maintaining these non-contractual structures.The number of general and technological ...

3.2 Bilingual and international schools

Bilingual schools are becoming more and more common in France, and this trend has not escaped the so-called alternative schools.

These schools offer language courses (***) alongside the French language, and welcome students from kindergarten to lycée. Most of the time, groups are small to give students personalized support and to encourage them to practice their oral skills. In general, teachers are native speakers, and these schools provide fun activities to combine language learning and relaxation.

Pupils are encouraged to express themselves in English in the playground as well as in the canteen, and thus juggle between two languages with relative ease, developing a certain beneficial mental gymnastics.

In junior high school, some of the classic courses are also taught in English, so that students can really use the language in context and develop a specific vocabulary. In Montessori schools, students also carry out their personal projects in English.

What's more, students are encouraged to take language certifications to officially attest to their level. [***]

In the table below, you'll find a selection of Parisian bilingual schools by level:

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3.3 Non-contracted private religious schools

According to the chart below, the majority of private schools with no contract are secular schools, offering no religious education whatsoever. These schools may follow the Steiner or Montessori methods, or offer bilingual teaching.

Type of private school France, ****, as % of total Source: ****

Reviews:

The Comité national d'action laïque (***) has published a report denouncing pedagogical abuses in France's private non-contract schools. The report highlights teaching shortcomings, particularly in religious schools. Conservative, traditionalist and fundamentalist Catholic schools, especially those affiliated with the Fraternity of St. Pius X, are strongly criticized for their lack of openness, their inability to adapt to the needs of their students, and their inability to adapt to the needs of their students.for their lack of openness, non-mixity, lower immunization coverage, obedience-based pedagogy and incomplete, even revisionist, content. Steiner-Waldorf schools are also under fire for practices that do not conform to educational standards, and for confusing historical facts with myths.The Cnal recommends strengthening the powers of the prefect to close down schools that do not respect the values of the Republic. The association is calling for the opening of a non-contractual school to be subject to authorization rather than a simple declaration, and for the pedagogical ...

3.4 Focus on the Montessori and Steiner methods

Among secular schools, the breakdown by type is as follows:

Number of non-contract secular schools by type France, ****, in Source: ****

* : The so-called active pedagogies correspond to the Nuyts, Freinet, positive discipline methods, or even the most famous Steiner method

** : Specific target groups include disabled, gifted and dyslexic pupils.

Breakdown by pedagogy of non-contracted private schools created in **** France, ****, in % of total free schools In ****, it is interesting to note that as many Montessori schools were created as schools with a classical/explicit pedagogy.

The Montessori method: The Montessori Method was developed by Maria Montessori (***).[***] "Education as an aid to life, that's the starting postulate of a Montessori school: an education in freedom that lays the foundations for a conscious and responsible future society."[***] In practical terms, a Montessori school is often defined by four main characteristics: - An educator certified by the Association Montessori Internationale is in charge of the group of children to observe, guide and encourage their work. - Mixed ages. The aim is to encourage the children to work together, exchange ideas, respect each other and develop peaceful social relationships. - Children benefit from *h** to *h of independent activity time every morning and evening. - ...

3.5 Geographical distribution

Non-contract private primary school enrollment by academy at the start of the **** school year

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Enrolment in non-contract private education (***) in secondary education by academy at the start of the **** school year.

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There is a particularly high concentration in the Paris region, especially in the Académie de Versailles.

4.1 Typology of private non-contract schools in France

Number of non-contract establishments by type France, ****, in units Ministry of Education

The majority of these establishments are schools (***).

The higher the level, the fewer these establishments are found: they are mainly designed for younger children.

4.2 Non-contractual preparatory classes

in Paris, a number of non-contracted private prep schools, such as Intégrale, Ipécom Paris, Ipésup and Prépa Commercia, achieve excellent results in competitive business school exams. Although these schools do not recruit via Parcoursup and are expensive (***), they stand out for their freedom in organizing programs and methods. Their recruitment is selective, but they sometimes accept applicants with average results based on other criteria. They use a double-banner system to present the most promising students under the main brand and less successful students under a second brand, enabling them to achieve honorable results. Each of these prep schools has its own special features, such as *-in-* preparation, an alumni network, small class sizes, individualized coaching and hand-picked teachers. With competition growing, new private non-contractual prep schools continue to appear, reflecting the growing interest in this type of training[***]

The six Parisian non-contracted private prep schools are using a "dual brand" strategy to optimize their competitive entrance exam results. In addition to their main name, most of these establishments have a second name, such as Initiale for Intégrale, Prepacom for Ipesup, JA Formation for Prepa Commercia, Victor-Hugo for Ipecom, and so on. All students follow the same ...

4.3 Prices for non-contracted private schools

In terms of price, there are several varieties linked to several criteria. Non-contracted private schools are companies (***), which means they are responsible for recruiting their own teachers and paying their salaries, and are therefore more expensive. [***]

It is possible for families to receive financial aid for their children's schooling. Similarly, schools sometimes offer a discount for siblings attending the same school.

For Montessori schools, prices range from *** euros per month for the least expensive to over *** euros for the most expensive. The average cost is between *** and *** euros. [***]

It is interesting to note that religious schools are often less expensive than other types of schools, as they are often supported by associations.

5.1 Regulatory framework for non-contracted private schools

State contract

In France, it is only after five years of operation that a private school can become "sous-contrat". At the end of this period, a school may apply to remain "hors-contrat", but is free to teach in an alternative mode that allows it to choose its programs and timetables. [***]

Teacher training:

In a private school under contract, teachers are required to hold the CAFEP (***), also allowing them to work in public schools. [***]

However, in non-contract schools, teachers are not required to have obtained a diploma from the French Ministry of Education. These schools give priority to other types of teaching skills. [***]

Curriculum:

While sub-contracted private schools have exactly the same curriculum as public schools, non-contracted ones have much more freedom regarding the content of their teaching.

State control:

The texts provide for at least two. "It is necessary for private educational establishments to be inspected at least during the first year of their operation and, if no shortcomings have been noted, for a new inspection to be carried out.a new inspection be carried out in the fifth year ", explains a Ministry circular published last July. [***]

All private schools are subject to inspection. Inspection of non-contracted establishments is compulsory from ...

5.2 A few rules to follow

Non-contractual private establishments must declare their opening to the academic rector, but their opening is automatic after * months, unless the authorities object. Opposition to opening may be based on various criteria, including reasons of public order, the nationality of the person opening the establishment, criminal convictions, teaching capacity, and others. Non-contractual establishments are not obliged to follow public school curricula, but they must enable pupils to acquire the knowledge of the common skills base. Non-contractual private schools are responsible for recruiting and paying their teachers, as the State does not pay for them. These establishments are subject to inspections from their first year of operation, covering both administrative and pedagogical aspects. Parents must enroll directly with the private school of their choice, although enrolment procedures vary. To transfer from a non-contracted private school to public education, students must pass an entrance exam, organized by the head of the public school. organized by the head of the chosen public school, and if successful, the student is assigned by the school inspector.

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6.1 Market segmentation

• La maison des enfants
• International School of Nantes
• Diagonale
• Ma Kindy
• Institution Saint-Dominique (Association)
• Galileo Global Éducation System
• Le Permis Libre
• Ornikar
• Ecole Saint Pie X
• Hattemer
• Hautefeuille
• Les Pinsons
• Mère Teresa
• Open Sky International
• Globeducate
• Cours Legendre (Alma learning group)
• Alma Learning Group