The 10 Most Valuable Schools in France 2020

2020 | VOL-11 | ISSUE-01

t H E

MOST

VALUABLE

SCHOOL IN France, 2020

Creating a Legacy in Holistic Education

EDITOR’S NOTE

A TASTE OF MULTI-CULTURAL STUDY EXPERIENCE

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he one reason why students are generally happy with education in France is the country’s sheer virtue of maintaining international standards.

France as an education hub, is well-aware of the presence of foreign nationals and students who travel to the country for education.

Most educational institutions in France teach both French and English so that the students of the country and those from other nations are exposed to global trends. France is one of the top-most countries to have realised the need to produce global citizens long back and it has been relentlessly working towards it.

Another uniqueness about education in France is that it provides multi-cultural study experience by bringing together cultures from all over the world. Students also

learn about the great culture of France, enjoy city life and the beauty of the place besides getting access to world class education. Universities in France are well-reputed and conduct many events that provide platforms to students to showcase their talents and explore new grounds.

It is no wonder then that the country has a good reputation of providing education in tandem with global trends.

Besides, universities in France offer good opportunities for research with modern facilities and a wide range of subjects to choose from.

Education is compulsory for everyone aged 6-16 years. Education is of prime importance in France with 21 percent of the annual budget allocated for it. The country also has a Baccalaureate programme. The academic stream is offered in three concentrations - literary, economic and social sciences and science.

We bring you some of the best educational institutions in France in our latest issue of The Knowledge Review - The 10 Most Valuable Schools in France.

On the cover page, we have Ermitage International School of France that has been creating a legacy in holistic education. Besides, we have featured Japanese School of Paris, American School of Paris, Victor Hugo Campus, Kaleidoscope Ecole Bilingue, Chavagnes International College, Marymount International School, Paris, Gustave Eiffel High School, Malherbe International School, Sainte Victoire International School that are providing quality education and global citizens.

Do read the expert views in our CXO column and articles written by our in-house writers.

Happy reading!

T R

Sumita Sarkar sumita@theknowledgereview.com

Cover Story

ERMITAGE INTERNATIONAL 08 SCHOOL OF FRANCE Creating a Legacy in Holistic Education

18 American School of Paris Nurturing Individual and Academic Excellence

24 Chavanges International College Imparting Knowledge with The Richness Of Christian Values

Contents ARTICLE

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Education Insights The French Schooling System: Beginners Guide for the Newbies

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Japanese School of Paris

Kaleidoscope Ecole Bilingue

Nurturing the Philosophy of Lifelong Learning through Friendships

Creating a Free-Minded, Highly Spirited Community

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The Victor Hugo School Pioneering Bilingual Education in France

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10 MOST VALUABL E THE

SCHOOLS IN FRANCE, 2020 T R

URL

Brief

American School of Paris

https://www.asparis.org/

Developing global citizens who are conď€ dent to lead, prepared to challenge the status quo, empowered to take responsibility and inspired to make a difference

Chavagnes International College

http://www.chavagnes.org/

Committed to a broad education, alongside a ourishing programme of sport, arts and choral music while echoing late medieval collegiate life

Ermitage International School Of France

https://www.ermitage.fr/

The school that offers students the keys to unlock a bright and promising future in the university, career, and country of their choosing

Gustave Eiffel High School

http://eiffel-gagny.org/

Gives initial training to students and adults in continuing education, thus responding to current challenges in terms of training and education.

Japanese School of Paris

http://www.parinichi.com/

Motivating the philosophy of friendship and inculcating the same in its process of imparting knowledge

Kaleidoscope Ecole Bilingue

https://www.ecole-kaleidoscope. com/

Giving children the chance to become bilingual from an early age that is an undeniable asset in their life

Malherbe International School

https://www.malherbeschool.com/

Combining both French and English teaching techniques to enable pupils to move on to further education worldwide and adapt successfully.

https://www.marymount.fr/

The oldest international school in France, with a rich history of inclusion and diversity, offering a warm welcome to children from a wide range of countries, cultures and religions.

Sainte Victoire International School

schoolsaintevictoire.com

Offers an innovative approach to teaching and learning, integrating new multidisciplinary methods in order to consolidate student experiences.

Victor Hugo Campus

https://victorhugoschool.com/

Imparting knowledge in a dynamic way and setting a benchmark in facilitating multilingual education

Name of the Institution

Marymount International School, Paris

Creating a Legacy in Holistic Education

anguage is at the core of teaching and learning in education. It influences not only the way students learn but how they perceive themselves, interact with one another and interpret the world around them.

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institution is its focus on bilingual education dating back to its origins almost 80 years ago. For this reason, they are featured as our 2020 choice for Most Valuable School in France.

Recognizing the importance of language learning, bilingualism is at the heart of international education.

Communicating, sharing, and learning in two languages not only develops language skills, but also intercultural understanding.

Ermitage is a bilingual K - 12 IB World School located 20km west of Paris in the vibrant and historic suburb of Maisons-Laffitte. Its dynamic student body of 1,400 students represents over 70 nationalities.

For Generations Z and Alpha, international education is not only about creating opportunities in today’s ever-changing landscape but is also about setting students up for success no matter where they might live or work, physically or virtually without cultural or linguistic barriers.

Ermitage International School of France offers students the keys to unlock a bright and promising future in the university, career, and country of their choosing. Their diverse range of bilingual, innovative, and ambitious pedagogical methods are adapted to each student, emphasizing curiosity, critical thinking, and collective intelligence in order to develop students’ competencies to excel and succeed in tomorrow’s world. At the heart of this

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We work to create a learning environment in which our students can be creative and reflective and where they can find opportunities to demonstrate initiative, leadership and a sense of responsibility

Ermitage is a co-ed day and boarding school. The school was founded in 1941 during World War II when access to education in the Paris area was restricted by the occupation of France and the limited resources available to civilians.

Madame Anne-Marie Thommeret, a university student in French Literature at that time, started giving classes to local students out of her home. This was the beginning of her long career as founding principal of Ermitage.

Rising of an Apex Institution After their original school building was destroyed during WWII, the students were relocated to one of the many abandoned houses in Maisons-Laffitte. From a mere handful of students, the school continued to grow and has embraced

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the resilient nature that enabled its survival and success in the early years of the war to become a leader in bilingual and international education in France almost 80 years later.

From its French origins, the school quickly embraced internationalism and bilingual education as a benchmark of its educational philosophy. As early as the 1970s, Ermitage built partnerships with schools in England, Ireland, and the United States to offer student exchange programs. During the 1980s, Ermitage focused on giving students the ability to follow a French curriculum with a strong English language program. This ensured that students become bilingual in French and English, while also studying a third language like German, Spanish, or Mandarin.

In 2009, Ermitage became one of the first schools to offer the IB Diploma Program (IB DP) in France and has had a track record of near-perfect passing rates. The Middle Years Program (IB MYP) was officially launched in 2016. The distinct programs that Ermitage offers are as follows: • International Studies Program offering instruction in English, including: IB Diploma Program (IB DP, Grades 11 — 12) IB Middle Years Program (IB MYP, Grades 6 — 10) IB Primary Years Program (candidate school)

• Bilingual and French programs offered: Lower School (Pre-K — Grade 5) Middle School (Grade 6 — 8) Lycée including French Baccalaureate with International Option (OIB) American Section (Grade 9 — 12) “We are proud to announce that Ermitage will be launching the IB Primary Years Program (IB PYP) and will become the second full IB continuum school in France,” states the staff of Ermitage The International Studies Program The most represented nationalities in the IB MYP & DP are French, American, British, Spanish, and Indian. This is due to a longstanding tradition of catering to the local community, which has grown along with the school to be quite anglophone and international. The International Studies Program offers instruction in English for 190 day and boarding students who are enrolled in the IB MYP and IB DP. With an engaging approach to teaching, students are at the center of their learning and encouraged to think critically. Classrooms are organized in a round-table format, facilitating inquiry with a variety of co-curricular opportunities to enhance student engagement.

Ermitage offers a unique and balanced education, where students can follow an international curriculum within the IB classes, while still developing their French language skills and roots within the local culture. For students who live on campus, they have an opportunity to participate in the community of Maisons-Laffitte. They can connect with native-speaking French students and access a variety of enriching experiences worldwide. Ermitage believes in taking care of its community and partners and then sharing these qualities with the peers of the world.

Versatile Experiences “We offer a multitude of international and service-learning experiences throughout the year,” says the team of Ermitage. One of the most transformative opportunities takes place in India with partner schools such as the Dhirubhai Ambani International School of Mumbai, The Daly College of Indore, and The Emerald Heights International School of Indore.

Ermitage has collectively offered eye care to thousands of people each year. Similarly, students can participate in conferences, exchanges, and adventure trips to destinations such as South Africa, Thailand, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the USA, and Costa Rica, etc.

A typical life in the day of an Ermitage student includes a balance of rigorous academics in addition to projects that

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We strive to provide an education that stimulates the mind and develops critical thinking while imparting the values of respect and mutual understanding, honesty and cooperation, empathy and "Engage & Prosper"

support the community, competitive athletics, and team activities. A recent IB MYP student said, “instead of the learning guiding us, we guide our learning.” This statement is a reflection of the student-centered and personalized approach taken by the international teaching staff of the school. Students are encouraged to launch personal projects, ranging from humanitarian causes to intramural sports clubs and share their rich intercultural experiences with the community.

Ermitage has always encouraged students to not only be strong academically but to also be global citizens, engaged with the world around them. As the school offers a variety of academic programs, this philosophy is woven into the fabric of its offerings, both in and outside of the classroom.

Ermitage is also the only Round Square Global Member School in France. This international network is the bridge that links its various academic sections together, enabling students to become adaptable and global citizens who are curious and aware.

Students lead through the Ermitage Student Government, Model United Nations, World Scholars Cup, and Round Square Conferences. The open campus design lends itself well to IB students enjoying a breath of fresh air between their lessons, creating, and facilitating a more university style experience. Boarding students can visit Paris every weekend, with all of the offerings such a vibrant city has at hand. Some of these offerings include museums, concerts, sports, restaurants with various cuisines, pastry shops, and shopping. Parents can feel comfortable having their children in this exceptional setting, with close access to state of the art healthcare facilities and services.

Located twenty minutes from Paris on a main train line, students get to experience French life in a traditional setting that Ermitage facilitates which is unparalleled to any other institution. The setting includes a stunning seventeenth century château which was built for Louis XIII and has occasionally been used for school events. It is situated at the heart of the pedestrian park of Maisons-Laffite. It is also known for riding with over 3000 horses in the town. Horses have the right of way throughout the lush streets, where students also access the school on bike or scooter. Bakeries and cafés in the town center allow students to practice their French language skills while tasting local treats. The pedestrian-friendly and natural atmosphere offers a nice balance outside of the city center, while still allowing students to easily access Paris at their doorstep.

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10 MOST VALUABL E THE

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Students enjoy excursions into Paris to support their learning and explore all that the city has to offer. As an example, Upper School students typically enjoy the annual prom and graduation just beside the Opéra Garnier. The town of Maisons-Laffitte, and Ermitage, offers several sporting and cultural activities. Ermitage students can join activities such as golf, tennis, swimming, rowing, and horseback riding, etc. Ermitage is a family school for motivated, engaged, and ambitious students. These attributes reflect the necessary qualities that were required to build a successful, multicultural, open-minded, and academically strong institution.

Maintaining the Legacy Ermitage International School of France is a cosmopolitan community of lifelong learners committed to developing individuals who are aware and compassionate, knowledgeable, and responsible, and able to act in their own lives and their world.

Given the range of diploma options, including the French baccalaureate and the IB Diploma, Ermitage students have access to prestigious universities worldwide. The school hosts an annual university fair on its campus, welcoming over 40 universities from around the world to meet the students, in addition to the individual meet and greets that the students can participate in throughout the year with top tier universities.

“We strive to provide an education that stimulates the mind and develops critical thinking while imparting the values of respect and mutual understanding, honesty and cooperation, empathy and open-mindedness,” says Benjamin Hunter.

He is not only the new Head of School, but also grand-son of the Founder, Anne-Marie Thommeret, and son of the former Head of School, Christopher Hunter.

He is the third generation of the founding family to take over the school’s leadership and has spent much of his life learning the ins and outs of Ermitage. Having a Master’s in Education Leadership and Management from the University of Bath, Mr. Hunter has been part of the Ermitage staff team since 2009.

Previously, he held titles such as Deputy Head, International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Coordinator, Creativity, Activity, and Service Coordinator. He was also Round Square Representative for Ermitage and the European Region. The diversified roles of Mr. Hunter at Ermitage include being a student, teacher, and parent, and alumnus besides being the Head of School.

The success of the school is intertwined with the Thommeret and Hunter family history, a family that has dedicated itself to provide education to its school community, working tirelessly to develop and enhance the learning opportunities available to students. The longstanding teaching staff’s strong commitment to children’s education and belief in every student’s potential has contributed to the school’s success throughout the years.

As the school approaches its 80th anniversary in 2021, a range of projects are in planning to continuously improve this exceptional school and offer an even more enriching learning experience for current and future students alike. T R

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Ermitage International School of France is a cosmopolitan community of lifelong learners committed to developing individuals who are aware and compassionate, knowledgeable and responsible, and able to act in their own lives and in their world

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American School of Paris Nurturing Individual and Academic Excellence

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Our school’s rich heritage and dedicated service to the international and French communities continue today to lead in the world of teaching and learning

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o nurture individual capabilities into something great is quite a difficult task. To empower one’s mind with potential qualitative traits with respect to academics is a job not everyone can fulfill. It is quintessential when it comes to young minds and how they are shaped to embrace versatility in everything. Some institutions adopt an approach to drive solutions that enlighten the mind of their students in such a way that their overall growth is aligned with their academic goals.

The American School of Paris was founded in 1946 with a similar approach and aim to provide education in the American curriculum to students from both international and French communities. Along with being a founding member of the International Baccalaureate program, ASP is an independent day school and the first International School in Europe. The school feels proud to be a part of one of the few institutes in Europe to offer a range of both International Baccaleaureat (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

What ASP is all about…?

The school offers a unique learning experience. It facilitates a challenging, rigorous, university-preparatory academic program that embraces the best practices of an American model of education. Its exceptional and nurturing teachers, guide students to acquire skills and self-esteem necessary for personal success. Outstanding programs in music, theater, art, sport, and technology are carried out by ASP for its students. They develop a sense of global responsibility through hands-on service-learning opportunities.

One of the most important factors that turn this school into an exceptional education institute is its student body. Over the years, from a majority American student body, the school has evolved to welcome students from all over the world who now make up a unique network of alumni spanning the globe. “The experience that each student has at our school is enhanced by what each student brings to school from their own culture,” shares the staff of ASP.

ASP provides an American curriculum with an international perspective. It nurtures individual and academic excellence, providing students opportunities to attend the best universities and colleges in the world. “Our graduates currently attend four of the eight Ivy League universities and 17 of the global top 50 THE ranked universities,” shares the staff of ASP.

From 64 nationalities, students speak 33 different languages as mother-tongue. With about one-quarter of the school's population changing every year, the school has become an expert in facilitating smooth transitions both into and out of various communities.

ASP is a vibrant, international, and family-oriented community. Its mission is to inspire and prepare every student to achieve personal and academic excellence as an engaged global citizen by providing a challenging, innovative program within a compassionate environment.

ASP strives to inspire and empower its students to become the very best they can be through an experience unique in Paris: an American education centering on the individual, in an international setting underlined by a philosophy of respect and responsibility.

Early Childhood program (Grades K3–Grade1) encourages young learners to discover the wonders of the world and enable them to contribute as positive, confident, and caring individuals. Learning beyond the classroom is an essential component of an Early Childhood education with ASP. Its recently re-designed Outdoor Learning space provides students in K3–Grade 1, ample room to build, explore, and create in different environments like ASP’s Mud Kitchen, Sand Pit (with a pirate ship), and a green garden. With a wide variety of materials to offer, Early Childhood students

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Academics at ASP

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can express themselves through dramatic play, extend their learning by re-creating and developing in-class activities in the outdoors and work together to realize their ideas.

A typical day in the Lower School is filled with joy, laughter, and learning. In all areas of ASP’s curriculum and throughout the daily life of every child, the school seeks to empower students in taking ownership of their learning and to lead their own educational experience. ASP’s green campus calls for learning outside of the traditional classroom. From exploring and sketching its gardens in French class to planting vegetables in Science, and spreading out across the field during PE, the institute facilitates all these activities.

“Our Lower School students visit the Parc de SaintCloud, Musée d'Orsay, Monet's gardens at Giverny, local markets and farms, and important cultural landmarks,” states the staff of ASP. Curiosity is a natural part of the landscape at ASP. Educators from the English as an Additional Language and Learning Support programs work in close connection with classroom teachers to seamlessly provide support based on students’ needs.

ASP’s Middle School (Grades 6-8) philosophy of education focuses on a holistic view of learning, where students develop themselves as artistic, intellectual, physical, and social individuals. The curriculum takes an interdisciplinary perspective, emphasizing the relationship between the subjects at each grade level. With an emphasis on the mastery of lifelong learning skills, such as research and communication skills, rather than on mastery of a pre-ordained body of knowledge, students are prepared for life beyond the Middle School.

In addition to meeting demanding standards established by state and professional organizations in the United States, ASP’s curriculum integrates information technology skills into all areas of learning and prepares students for the option of the International Baccalaureate Diploma program.

The Upper School has more course choices for Grades 9–12 than any other school in Paris area. This enables the school to serve the diverse interests of the approximately 350 students enrolled in the Upper School each year. The rich and varied curriculum is accompanied by a wide variety of co-curricular activities and athletic programs, from robotics and theater to Varsity sports.

Students have the choice between pursuing an International Baccalaureate diploma, an Advanced Placement diploma, or an American High School diploma.

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The Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses constitute the school’s honors program. “We offer 12 AP courses and 30 IB courses.

Approximately one-third of our seniors are candidates for the IB Diploma each year, and over 90% participate in either the AP or IB program,” describes the team of ASP. A Holistic Approach In addition to classroom learning, there are other aspects of ASP holistic educational experience which provide the students with growth, learning, and connections to the outside world. Consistent with ASP's mission, these programs support students in achieving personal excellence as engaged global citizens.

Programs are presented in an inclusive, compassionate environment, and are designed to develop a variety of interests and accommodate a wide range of skill levels.

Athletics, performing and visual arts, service learning, and extra-curricular activities are all important components of a student’s life at ASP, from the Lower School through Upper School.

The school’s athletes are respected for their passion, achievements, and sportsmanship. In embracing ASP spirit, the school strives for its young Rebels to have fun, to support each other unconditionally, to lose graciously and win courageously. “We are proud that our athletes are respected internationally both for their achievements and their sportsmanship,” exclaims the staff of ASP, happily.

Working together with coaches, educators, and the ASP community, the school’s program fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment for students. Whether it’s perfecting a skill or improving a personal best, being an exemplary guest when visiting other schools, or pushing each other to give the team, the best opportunity to succeed.

With students representing more than 64 nationalities, the ASP community is united by a passion for learning and unleashing the incredible potential of young people in and out of the classroom. As one of only a few truly international schools in Paris, the school has become one of the obvious choices for families who are transferring to France. Accredited by CIS, its international curriculum is an easy transition for children from schools all over the world.

Whether they are recording marine life in Saint-Malo, printing their 3D designs in the Innovation Center, or following Monet’s footsteps by painting in the gardens of Giverny, students are immersed in an enriching program that challenges them to discover their passions and achieve highly. All the while they are making lifelong friends from all over the world. T R November | 2020

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Chavanges International College Imparting Knowledge with The Richness Of Christian Values

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he American Philosopher, John Dewey once mentioned, “Education is a process of living and not meant to be the preparation of future living”.

This statement reflects upon ‘what education must be’.

Rather than focusing on just preparing students for the future, instead, they must be taught that education is a process of living. This realization will ensure that acquiring knowledge begins right after their birth. Children at first gain knowledge unconsciously through touch and then gradually acquire knowledge through exploring and experiencing. This makes us realize that education has two layers which are psychological at the base and sociological at the core.

This is where schools help children in bringing out their true potential and teach them life skills that are foundational to life-long learning and holistic education. With a focus on holistic education, educational institutions today prepare children for their future and help them tackle any of life's uncertainties. Understanding how holistic education transforms students, we at The Knowledge Review, on our

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quest to find an educational institution offering holistic education landed ourselves at Chavagnes International College.

A Message from the Founders Since its inception, the school’s mission has been to offer a balanced education while recognizing each student’s individual strengths and abilities. That being said, the school was found in 2002 in Chavagnes-en-Paillers, France, with an aim to offer a truly Catholic education; at the invitation of the Bishop of Luçon, a small group of educators, under the leadership of Ferdi McDermott undertook this task. Today, with over 15 nationalities represented, the school has become a diverse family.

Below mentioned are the thoughts of the founders and what they envisioned the school to be At Chavagnes we are committed to delivering a balanced education to our students, recognizing individual strengths and abilities. We promote a model of education where the

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Creating Progressive Thinkers Being a non-selective institution, Chavagnes International College benefits greatly from the fact that it teaches boys who have a range of academic abilities. It is within this context, of delivering a rounded education, that the institution places a significant emphasis on continual academic progress. At the core of its teaching and learning is the British National Curriculum. Whilst all of the boys sit the GCSE and A-Level examinations, it teaches the Brevet November | 2020

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Catholic Faith permeates and informs our distinctive international program, one which accommodates both the British and French National Curricula. Beyond the classroom, we will help our pupils to develop existing interests and to find new ones that will stay with them for life. A testament to this approach is that our pupils go on to study at the very best universities in the world. In essence, we are seeking to educate the next generation of Catholic leaders. We ensure that each boy has the tools to excel in the world beyond Chavagnes and to respond to his individual vocation.

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THE CLASSROOM IS NOT THE ONLY EDUCATIONAL SETTING HERE: THE SCHOOL DAY IS FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING

and Bac program for French pupils. It is also possible for foreign students to have their British examinations validated by their local Ministry of Education. Both inside and outside of formal classes, each boy is encouraged and supported to achieve the best that he can. The day to day school environment fosters individuality, curiosity, teamwork, and enjoyment.

Life at Chavagnes International At Chavagnes, great importance is placed on overall

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pastoral care that it gives to the boys during their time. The institute believes that for many boys, their life in school is the first time that they have been away from home. Hence, it does not take responsibility for ensuring the comfortable stay of the boys very lightly. The school’s continuous endeavor is to ensure that each boy is welcomed and becomes an active part of the school and feels ‘at home’ as quickly as possible. It believes that by keeping the boys occupied they will be motivated to study, focused on enjoying their time in College and will quickly make lasting friendships. The House system, through which each boy is given a formal position within the wider school community, encourages each individual to grow and develop. Each of the school's four Houses Rochejaquelein, Cathelineau, Suzannet, and Charette - is run by a House Master who, working alongside senior boys appointed House Captain and Vice-Captain, also acts as the main provider of pastoral support, organizes weekly activities and is an immediate point of reference for all boys.

to be critical thinkers, self-learners and lifelong learners.

The school is broadly divided into two sections: • Junior School • Senior School There are several entry points for pupils within the Junior School, the majority of boys, however, join in Year 7 (age 10/11) at the most junior level for admission. The Junior School curriculum is designed to offer a board base, introducing pupils to academic and cultural experiences. It stimulates their intellectual and personal curiosity. All pupils study English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Latin, Classics, Religious Studies, French, Spanish, English, Art, Music, Drama, Film Making, Rugby, Taekwondo, Rowing, Football, and Swimming. The school also offers provisions for students to learn English as an Additional Language for all non-native English speakers.

The Academic Purview of the School

Coming to Senior School, students here prepare for GCSE and A-Level examinations, whilst some French boys choose to sit the Brevet and BAC. The masters and senior tutors monitor progress carefully and ensure that the boys make the most of the academic opportunities open to them. At the senior end of the school, additional responsibilities are placed on each student - to be an example of a Chavagnes education. Four boys are chosen as House Captains, and several others take on the role of prefects to monitor everyday life, inside and outside of the classroom. This allows them to develop leadership and communication skills.

The academic programme at Chavagnes International College has been designed keeping in mind the holistic development of every student. Students here are at the center of the learning process and hence they are nurtured

Also, the school’s strong focus on personalized education and faithfulness to the teachings of the Catholic Church, has helped develop a learning environment that meets the needs of each boy.

“The House system is integral to this and forms the basis of intra-mural competitive debating, sport and other activities.

Every boy is encouraged to take an active role in College life, and we look to develop leadership skills, the ability to be both self-reliant and effective team players as well as nurturing confidence as public speaking. These ‘softer skills’ help each boy to grow in confidence and fulfills our mission to ‘educate the next generation of Catholic leaders,” says one of the teachers.

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Developing a Sense of Community As mentioned above, the school’s sole purpose is not just to educate students with jus academic knowledge but develop them a sense of responsibility towards the nation and also the world. To achieve the same the school also organizes various extracurricular activities. One of those initiatives is 'The Scouts of Chavagnes’.

The Scouts of Chavagnes are an active, happy and engaging group within the wider school community. Boys from Year 7 to Year 10 are encouraged to join as ‘associate members’ of the troop, and those who are more serious about scouting have the opportunity to work towards taking the Scout Promise. A Chavagnes Scout is, like his fellows the world over, a brother to all other Scouts. He is also a gentleman, an explorer, a sportsman, an inventor, a cook and many other things besides. The most distinguishing characteristic of a Chavagnes Scout is that he is a Christian who lives the Gospel of Jesus Christ, loving and respecting God's creation and his fellow man. Fidelity to these eternal truths, coupled November | 2020

with an ever-ready spirit of adaptability and ingenuity are the marks of a Scout.

Apart from this, sport is also an integral part of daily life at Chavagnes. The discipline, formation, and respect taught through timetabled sport enhance both the physical and mental development of students. Furthermore, as students engage in team games they learn to encourage team spirit, enabling the boys to experience healthy physical exertion.

Weekly rugby, football, basketball and tennis matches as well as cross-country, rowing, taekwondo, fencing, and swimming offer a necessary counterbalance to spiritual, cultural and academic activities.

The students graduating from the school choose varied careers such as lawyers, dentists, teachers, journalists, architects, priests or military personnel and so choose to serve the community, thereby upholding the values of their school. Once they leave Chavagnes, the students strive to make a difference in the world. T R

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Education Insights

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ch SCHOOLING SYSTEM I

n France, education is compulsory for all resident children between the ages six and sixteen. Choosing the right school for your kids is not easy when there are multiple choices - a local state school, a state-contracted private school, a fully independent private school. These include international and bilingual schools or even home schooling.

French education is divided into primary level, elementary or middle school and high school. You can choose from any of the state or private schools for your child. In France, even home schooling is legal, but it has to be under the guidance of the school’s inspectorate. With the availability of so many options, there is obviously difficulty in choosing the right one. Here is a detailed view of the different schools: Local French School The biggest advantage of enrolling your children in the local French schools is that they will become fluent in French faster than they would at international schools.

Enrolling younger kids to the local schools would be a better option as they will learn easily and faster. French state schools generally only teach in French and conduct tests regularly.

If your children are a bit older, they might find it difficult to cope up with the French teaching and learning. Language support is not always available within the school. The children must keep an average of at least 50% marks in an unfamiliar language as well. If you plan on staying long in France, it would be only wise that your kids go to state school and become fluent in French. The schooling system here is also quite rigorous. However, the state education is free and also considered of high standards. The class sizes can be of 30 or more students having only one teacher.

Beginners Guide for the Newbies cope up with, as the education system might be similar. The syllabus is also taught in the language they are familiar with. Even if you are planning to move back home or move abroad to another country again then going for an internationally recognized school would be apt. It would be beneficial for the future.

One major disadvantage would be that your child would take longer to learn French. This might impact his or her integration into the society. The students of international schools usually are from families who keep moving or are here for temporary purposes. Friendships of children might be affected and it might be hard for them.

The class size in international schools is generally smaller compared to that of state schools. This allows the teachers to pay more attention to the students. More of creative extracurricular activities are offered state-run schools.

French education values academic learning and hence puts pressure on the student. The tuition fees at these schools can be high.

Home schooling in France In France, home schooling your child is legal. The major advantage of this type of schooling is that you can continue to teach your children in their language of comfort. The child will be in a comfortable atmosphere and can learn and study at his or her own pace. Especially for those who travel a lot for work purposes, it becomes difficult for children to cope up at different schools. In such cases, you should opt for home educating your children. There are support organizations also in place to help you. The only thing to keep in mind is that the child will take much longer to learn and become fluent in French. T R

-Shreevarshita Gupta

International Schools in France International schools are easier for students from abroad to November | 2020

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We focus on developing global human resources who can play an active role in the world

Japanese School of Paris Nurturing the Philosophy of Lifelong Learning through Friendships

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earning is a continuous process and it is very important to consider who your teachers are going to be in life. Good teachers are found everywhere if you harbor a tendency of self-learning while observing others or shadowing what the other person is doing.

Sometimes it is more evident in people who are close to us.

We try to emulate our elders and do what they are doing in order to satiate the curiosity within. Most of the times we might not enjoy it or we might not end up with the situation we thought at first. But the important thing to take away from such experiences is that there is always one thing or the other that we learn from it. We imbibe gestures, actions, and expressions through the people around us.

People who we have grown up with and their behavior shapes our image in the society. The most impact that we have on our lives is that of the friends we make along the way. Friends influence our lives in such a dynamic way, that it redefines our lifestyle and molds us into something we were never before. That too, for the better or worse.

There is one such institution motivating the philosophy of friendship and inculcating the same in its process of imparting knowledge called the Japanese School of Paris.

Institut Culturel Franco-Japonais - Ecole Japonaise de Paris (French-Japanese Cultural Institute) also known as the JSP is a Japanese International School located in Montigny-leBretonneux, France, in the Paris Metropolitan Area. It is located near Versailles.

Excellence Redefined The school is approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, in accordance with the School Education Law of Japan and related laws and regulations aligned with elementary and middle schools. JSP promotes cultural and educational exchanges between Japan and the French Republic and focuses on educational activities to deepen mutual understanding. “We are committed to the spirit of respect for human beings, and we are working to expand the infinite possibilities of each child,” states the staff of JSP. This school is the only Japanese school in France that has been approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology for conducting a curriculum based on the Japanese curricular guidelines.

Students can take French classes in the school even though the primary language of instruction is Japanese. Its goal is to educate children who return to Japan after several years of living in France. It also helps the students who live long

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educational exchange’ in France. Japanese School of Paris was established on 1st October 1973 with just 101 students.

There are now 217 students in the school as of February 2020. The Principal of JSP, Takashi Onoe is commissioned by the Board of Directors for ‘school management,’ ‘budget execution,’ and ‘personnel affairs for faculty and staff.’ The current Chairman of the Board is Takeshi Goto (Paris Branch Manager, Mizuho Bank).

Takashi Onoe Principal enough in the country under various circumstances and various positions and do a back and forth from Japan to France.

“Our school has no school rules,” says Mr. Onoe. The children judge their behavior on their own and act as the model students of the school. The classrooms are full of gentle air with gentle voices and compassion for children.

JSP is an institution where each and every student has a dream and it grows while learning with their friends. It is a school that values friendships beyond the geographical boundaries and helps students in deciding who are the people that can make a home in their heart with the goal of being ‘bright, friendly, and strong.’

JSP educates the students of the age group 6 to 15 years.

Marie Conte-Holm, author of The Japanese and Europe: Economic and Cultural Encounters, wrote that “the bus route to and from the school ‘essentially determines’ where Japanese families with children are settled in Greater Paris.

She adds, “While some Japanese children attend local schools for a proportion of their time in France, even the more internationally minded Japanese parents will transfer their offspring to the Japanese School for reorientation during the latter part of their stay.”

“Many children leave our school every year and move out without waiting for graduation,” shares Mr. Onoe. Still, there are many students who come to the school later, and all of them show a peaceful expression to the atmosphere of the institute prevailing at that time. This story tells a lot about the children who always accept the forthcoming students warmly. The feeling is the same when the students move out and part with a smile, believing that they will someday be able to meet somewhere else in the world. “We hope that these children will remain school friends for a lifetime,” adds Mr. Onoe.

Cultural Diagram of JSP JSP has been approved as a ‘cultural activity organization’ for the purpose of ‘Japanese-French cultural and

JSP’s Dynamics Based on the significance and value of living in France, JSP

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is promoting cultural and educational exchanges between Japan and France. By doing this, it is enhancing educational activities with an emphasis on mutual understanding.

Starting from the first grade of elementary school, French and English conversation classes have been introduced. In junior high school, the number of English lessons has been increased with a particular emphasis on teaching foreign languages. There are regular exchanges with several local schools every year.

Moreover, to promote local understanding, JSP is actively conducting extracurricular activities in the local Saint-Quentin area, in Paris, and widely in France. In the first semester, children from elementary school upper grades to junior high schools engage in hands-on learning and lodging learning with accommodation in the western and southern French areas.

In the fall of this year, the elementary school will take an excursion to the Palace of Versailles, visit the Orangery, Rodin, Pompidou and Orsay museums. There is a tour. Various events are also held inside the school, but the three major events that standout the most are athletic meet in June, the presentation of the Japanese School in Paris in October, and the Japanese School Festival in Paris.

Also, ‘Exploration time’ is provided as a place for children to learn about their own problems and solve them. This is a trial method of learning that combines learning programs such as IB (International Baccalaureate), PYP, and MYP. “We are also focusing on ICT education, such as tablets and electronic blackboards, to promote collaborative learning,” explains Mr. Onoe. T R

A memoir of a Junior High Schoolgirl describes her journey in the school in an exquisite way.

She says, “I came to France for the rst time in the fall of May. It was my rst overseas trip ever. I was nervous in the beginning and felt that it was becoming too difcult to maintain a smile while talking to others. I attended the entrance ceremony in April and received greetings from the freshman representative of the school. This greeting proved to be a big step for me in becoming a new self.

Later, through active learning, I was able to deepen my bonds with juniors as well as seniors.

During the sports meet, I was able to gel with seniors who were active sports players and it also helped me in speaking with the staff members, inevitably maintaining good communication with all the bodies of the school. The Paris Day presentation was my best memory. In this course of activity, I worked very hard to become a leader while organizing team members. I wanted to make use of the leadership skills that I acquired along the way through this experience in Japan.

Also, the drama and chorus project that I collaborated on with my seniors also made me come up with ideas that helped me in delivering a very good presentation. I spent about two years in France and made a lot of memories there at the Japanese School in Paris. It's a miracle and I feel happy to be able to meet friends who can't be found in Japan or who never met in Japan. I am sincerely glad that I came to France and to JSP.”

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Creating a Free-Minded, Highly Spirited Community

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anguages help us communicate with other humans easily. The world right now communicates in almost 6500 languages. Understanding more than one language or being bilingual or multilingual proves to be advantageous in many aspects. It augments brainpower, gives an academic advantage, improves our competitiveness in the job market, improves our social life and more.

Of the 6500 languages, English is regarded as the most widely spoken and understood language. It is also the dominant language on the internet and is the most preferred language of scientists and tech enthusiasts. This makes learning English, along with our native language and as many others as we can, important. This is also the emphasis of Kaleidoscope Ecole Bilingue.

The school understands that giving children the chance to become bilingual from an early age brings them an undeniable asset in their life, whether it is for the pursuit of their studies or their personal and professional development. The educational program of Kaleidoscope bilingual school is entirely in accordance with that dictated by the National Education, and the EYF (Early Years Foundations).

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Why Choose Kaleidoscope?

Like its name, the family-run school, headed by Sandrine Bevan (headteacher) and her husband Christopher Bevan, is a vibrant mix of cultures. It educates and nurtures the development of its pupils with enthusiasm, professionalism, freedom, and care. In Kaleidoscope, every child is celebrated as an individual. This creates conďŹ dent, empowered, bilingual young people, of whom the school is immensely proud.

By gaining the bilingual advantage children can pursue their secondary education in either language and are equipped for full integration into French life. The school teaches French and English with total immersion.

In Maternelle (ages 3-6) your child has a 4-day week: 2 full days in English and 2 full days in French. Primary children (ages 6-11) have a 4 ½ day week: enjoying half a day, every day, in each language. By working in English and French every day your child will develop a natural ability to transition between both languages.

Kaleidoscope oers an optional English fun club on Wednesday in Maternelle, and its Primary students can stay

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on with the school into Wednesday afternoon for a pure language focus – in either French or English.

Carefully Chosen Teachers Kaleidoscope Ecole’s carefully chosen teachers are sympathetic to the adventure of learning in two languages.

This may sound like a challenge for the child, but they enjoy real success in Kaleidoscope. The school has demonstrated over the last seven years that, with its small classes and experienced teachers, its fully bilingual teaching method is not only successful from an academic point of view but also creates happy, well-rounded children.

It is completely normal for there to be an initial period of adaptation and integration, and the school is fully prepared to support children empathetically and patiently as they embrace their new language skills. Kaleidoscope also understands that school life needs to work with the parents’ life, so it offers wrap-around care with its breakfast club (from 7.30-8.30am) and afternoon club (from 4.30 to 6.15 pm) if required.

High-Quality Education The pupils follow both the French National and the British curriculum. This means that the child is educated to appropriate level to attend either a French College (Secondary school), English Secondary school, International or Bilingual school – entirely as they wish or circumstances require. The school has good relationships with other local schools to ensure smooth transitions for its graduates.

The high quality of Kaleidoscope is recognised by France’s Education Nationale. Very satisfactory inspection results

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have been maintained since opening in 2012 to the most recent in June 2019.

Education Nationale conducts detailed inspections of the teachers and their teaching methods, the children’s work, and the school’s health and safety. Kaleidoscope has dedicated curriculum coordinators who ensure consistency in quality and subjects, across both languages and in both schools.

Raising happy children Kaleidoscope aims to create an environment beyond what one would expect. As well as supporting the children on their learning journey, it is important to the school that he or she is happy, confident, and can enjoy many different experiences.

Each year, the whole school adopts a learning theme. This theme is shared by every child and evolves with the individual and collective passions of the student community. It is an exciting and spontaneous way to frame every subject within the two curriculums and enables broader investigation.

Kaleidoscope Ecole Bilingue works hard to build connections and relationships within the local community, and collaborates on initiatives, to give your child the widest possible experiences available. Kaleidoscope also facilitates partnerships for fun, out-of-school, activities, like dance, martial arts, and music.

Expanding the Reach Thanks to the success of the Kaleidoscope ethos, academic results in French and English, and its nurturing community – the current school campus simply cannot meet the everincreasing demand. The school did not want to expand and compromise the friendly, safe, environment that it has already created. So, it is opening a second, separate school with the same vision in September 2020.

The new extension of Kaleidoscope will also be in Plaisance-du-Touch. The core team behind Kaleidoscope will be present in both schools. The philosophy, atmosphere and standards will be carried forward into the new school by them both, and an already established team of professional managers. Prospective parents can have full confidence that everything they love about Kaleidoscope will be maintained. T R

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holistic approach towards education is of paramount importance in today’s era. The modern lifestyle and technological advancements have made young minds more agile. The young generation has adapted to technology quite well and it’s evident that the future generation will be innately be born with the similar qualities.

Hence, in order to be better equipped to cater to the educational needs of these children, the educational institutes need to become resourcefully able. They need to be proficient in imparting knowledge in a dynamic way. Staying up on its toes with a similar notion mentioned above, The Victor Hugo School is setting a benchmark in facilitating multilingual education in Paris, France.

The Victor Hugo School, initially known as EIB Ecole Internationale Bilingue (Active Bilingual School) was established in 1954. EIB then, as a group focused on the early learning of English for the children from the age of three. After 1987, EIB as The Victor Hugo School has been offering its students the opportunity to learn English in full immersion while benefiting from one hour of French-language instruction per day.

“Our goal is to nurture 21st century, globalized learners who are prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century,” says the staff of the Victor Hugo School.

School’s Approach EIB has been celebrated for its academic excellence (100% success rate at the French Baccalaureate, including 94% with honors). Its active learning approach and teaching methods are based on benevolence and high standard requirements. With exclusive teaching methods that have been approved and acclaimed for more than 60 years, EIB private bilingual school welcomes about 3,000 students with more than 70 nationalities, from Preschool to High School.

The project of EIB - The Victor Hugo School is based upon three key points: 1. As mentioned before, the school has a focus on early learning of English from the age of three. This approach is derived from three landmark pre-requirements: • Groups of skill tuition • Qualified native language speaking teachers • Small class policy to support the learning process of the students

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2. Providing students with a multilingual and international environment. As a partner of UNESCO, EIB’s multicultural, plurilingual dimension is continuously promoted in its teams and students, thanks to a unique teaching trait. This trait includes Small-size Immersion Classes and Spanish or Chinese classes in small groups for the school’s students who wish to start learning these languages from Primary school.

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3. Placing the child at the heart of knowledge. Its all thanks to the tailored teaching methods designed for the needs of every child. That’s why, from the middle school itself, maths is taught in various groups to enhance the skills of students.

EIB-The Victor Hugo School welcomes students from Nursery to Grade 12. Students enjoy daily language lessons and have the opportunity to enrich their learning with music, art, drama, and technology know-how. “Our students come to us from 6 continents and over 70 countries,” states the staff of EIB. Students speak English among themselves, but also meet other students who share their mother tongue.

All of the students learning at EIB are from international backgrounds. They have all lived abroad or arrived from bilingual/bicultural households and have parents who are foreigners. This innately refers to the notion that the school has an incredibly warm and welcoming community as the

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Our expertise allows students who have not mastered English or French to join the school at any time during the year

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Diversity and Curriculum “Our Pre-School and Primary students follow an International Cambridge curriculum focused on thematic units that engage our children’s curiosity and help them discover the world around them,” shares the staff of EIB. This can be best described as an example where, a unit on Egypt could have students learning about irrigation, seasons, and agriculture in science, while the pyramids become the base for learning volumes in math. The junior high school students follow the MYP curriculum of the International Baccalaureate (IB), (where EIB is a candidate school), while it’s Grade 11 and 12 students follow the IB diploma program.

These two programs are rigorous and prepare students to enter prestigious universities worldwide. The IB curriculum as a whole encourages critical thinking and allows students to make connections between the curriculum and their own lives.

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students get to experience differences that makes the school’s contribution visible from the early stages itself.

“We constantly celebrate this diversity by integrating students’ home countries into class projects, asking them to make connections between what we study and how things are at home,” explains the staff of the Victor Hugo School.

One such example is when studying ancient Greece, each student is asked to present the mythology of their home country. Additionally, the school holds an annual international day when students can wear traditional dress and share food from their home countries.

With Globeducate They all form close relationships with teachers and classmates due to the small class sizes, and through the orientation trip that begins in September every year. They are also involved in student council and Model UN activities long with traveling the world during the school’s famous Globeducate events. The Globeducate network of schools has announced its partnership with the World Wildlife Fund. Through this partnership, EIB will be able to lead different projects to help its students become motivated about recycling, climate change, and science.

Additionally, through Globeducate-sponsored events, the school wishes to motivate students in the idea of learning and performing orchestra, choir, and Model UN practices.

As students travel internationally to attend Globeducate events, it proves beneficial for them because they get to meet children from other international schools.

What’s More from EIB? “We are currently expanding our after-school activity program, but students can currently join English and French language workshops, coding, and violin classes, and tennis and golf lessons,” describes the staff of the Victor Hugo School. Annually, it celebrates International Book and Copyright Day, the school’s International Day, and Colors of Autumn Festival.

Students from Primary also get the chance to participate in student councils which hold monthly assemblies to award students of the month and make other announcements through skits and PSAs. Moreover, the school has divided its students into four houses and often hold house competitions, in order for them to gain points and be recognized as the winning house at the end of the year.

“Our students benefit from having two university counselors who help prepare them for life after EIB,” informs the staff of the school.

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These counselors, also teachers at school, know each of the IB students and are better able to orient them as they explore their options for higher education. The school often invites speaker parents to school for presenting students with various career options and give them insight into what to expect from, and how to enter into certain fields. T R

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