| International School of Paris | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Paris, France | |
| Information | |
| Type | Day School |
| Religious affiliation(s) | No religious affiliation |
| Established | 1964 |
| Head of school | Mrs. Audrey Peverelli |
| Grades | Pre-K - 12 |
| Enrollment | around 700 |
| Mascot | Panthers |
| Website | http://www.isparis.edu |
The International School of Paris (ISP) is a private international school based in Paris, France. It is the only English-speaking school within the city of Paris and the only school in France to offer all three International Baccalaureate programmes: the IB Primary Years Programme, the IB Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme.
Since its creation under the name of Pershing Hall in 1964, ISP has grown from a class of 6 students and 5 nationalities to an enrollment today of 700 students, representing over 60 nationalities and 50 languages.
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The School, founded by Mrs. Monique Porter who wanted an English-speaking school for her young daughter, began in a private building under the name of Pershing Hall in 1964.
Pershing Hall grew rapidly and soon expanded its curriculum from kindergarten to grade 8. Mrs. Jannick Jones, who started the school with Mrs. Porter, was the first Headmistress and gave the basic philosophy to the School. She taught mathematics and French, and at the same time was cooking lunch for the students on a gas stove.
In 1975, the School settled in 96bis rue du Ranelagh and changed its name to the International School of Paris. In 1983, ISP’s middle and high school was moved into 7 rue Chardin. Finally, in 1985, the School expanded into 6 rue Beethoven, which was the former art school of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, built around 1930.
By 2004, the School had 483 students, and was successfully running all three IB programmes (PYP, MYP and IB Diploma). Additional space was needed to accommodate the planned growth to approximately 650 students, resulting in the acquisition of two new buildings: 13 rue Beethoven for the Secondary School, and 98 rue du Ranelagh for the Primary School.[1]
Today, the school enrolls close to 700 students representing over 60 nationalities and 52 languages.
The school is a non-profit, independent and co-educational establishment. Additionally, it is a fully accredited member of the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Independent Schools (NEAIS).
The school was re-accredited in 2011, receiving a full endorsement by both organizations. In reaching their decision, the committee cited the following features of the school, which, among others, were:
The School is also a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and the European Council of International Schools.
The International School of Paris is situated on two campuses in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, one on the rue Beethoven and the other on the rue du Ranelagh.
The Primary School is housed in two renovated townhouses near the Ranelagh gardens. The houses are united by a playground with a separate section devoted to the youngest students.
In addition to classrooms dedicated to each class group, the Ranelagh campus is equipped with a computer technology lab, an art room, a music room, a library, two classrooms for French and a small gym.
A Virtual Tour of the Primary and Secondary School is available on ISP’s website.
The Secondary School campus (rue Beethoven) is located across the river from the Eiffel Tower. The Beethoven Campus consists of three main buildings (one of which is a renovated art college), and some additional space in neighboring buildings.
The Secondary School is also home to a library with a collection of 10,000 books in more than 12 languages, the most predominant of these being English followed by French, Japanese and Korean. It subscribes to 20 periodicals in French and English and to the online educational database Ebsco. There are 50 computers for students to use for research. Students also have access to the extensive collection of the American Library in Paris at a reduced rate.
In addition to an on-campus gym, the School also uses local athletic stadiums, indoor gymnasiums, basketball courts, swimming pools, and a theater to enhance its P.E. and Arts programs.
The Secondary School is also home to an 18-seat Creative Arts computer lab with 18 iMacs (21.5 inch screens) featuring Adobe CS5 software. This MAC lab was especially designed for the music, art and design technology students to use in their IB diploma classes.
For 2011-12, the fees were as follows:[2]
Additional (optional) fees:
Additional fees are required for certain levels of Learning Support as well as outside mother-tongue language instructions. Learning Support Level A2 (Advanced 2) €3,500
All fees are reviewed annually.
It is widely known as the most expensive school in Paris, and most likely all of France.
ISP’s Holiday Language Program (HLP)[3] offers courses in French and English on a weekly basis during the month of July to all students from ISP and elsewhere from ages 3 to 18. Its mission is to motivate students to learn French or English with a fun and interactive program.
Sessions are project-based in order to focus the various activities and fieldtrips around a common theme, which will promote meaningful language acquisition.
The themes are chosen to fit the interests and skill development of each age group and are all taught in French and English. The program includes language classes in the morning adapted to students’ ages and levels of expression in the given language and activities in the afternoon including music, art, sports club, photography and more.
In 2011, a full week’s HLP cost 425 Euros.