The typical enrollment calendar
Exact dates vary from school to school, but most private schools follow a pattern close to this one. Better to be one step early than one step late.
- 1
October to December
Define your criteria and spot schools
Level, language, school system, budget and area. Build a first list in the directory and save schools to your favorites. - 2
January to March
Visit and compare
Open days, meetings with the head of school, possible admission tests. Compare your three or four favorite schools side by side. - 3
March to June
Pre-register and confirm
Submit the application, pay the registration fee to secure the place, and confirm re-enrollment if your child is staying at the same school. - 4
July and August
Sort out the logistics
School transport, canteen, uniform, supplies list and school insurance. - 5
September
Start the school year
Back-to-school meeting, access to the home-school notebook (carnet de liaison) and the homework log (cahier de textes), first exchanges with the teachers.
Reading this during the school year?
The 2026-2027 school year has already started, but all is not lost: many schools accept pupils during the year if places open up, and it is a good time to prepare calmly for 2027-2028.
Changing schools during the year
Ask your current school for the leaving certificate (certificat de radiation), pass on the latest school reports and allow time for your child to settle in. Schools often hold an interview or a placement test before confirming.Building the year’s budget
Tuition fees are only part of the yearly cost. To compare two schools fairly, add up all the items below and ask for them in writing.
| Item | Frequency | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | Once, on entry | Refundable or not if you withdraw |
| Re-enrollment fee | Every year | Payment deadline |
| Tuition | Monthly or quarterly | Number of installments (10, 11 or 12) |
| School transport | Monthly | Routes, times, areas served |
| Canteen | Monthly | Menus, special diets |
| Supplies, textbooks, uniform | At the start of the year | Bought through the school or freely |
| Activities and outings | Occasional | What is included or charged extra |
The criteria for choosing a school
- Distance and ease of access
- Curriculum and the languages actually taught
- Supervision, class size and pupil follow-up
- Facilities, safety and services (transport, canteen)
- Tuition fees and the full yearly cost
To go further, see our guides by age (nursery, primary school) and our guide which school system to choose.
Preparing your child
- Talk positively about school: visit it together if you can and mention the nice moments of the day.
- Get back into a routine: gradually bring bedtime forward one to two weeks before school starts.
- Get the supplies ready together: choosing a schoolbag or labeling their things helps your child picture the new year.
- Stay in touch with the team: in the first weeks, don’t hesitate to ask for news through the home-school notebook.
Start your search now
Answer a few questions and get a selection of schools suited to your child’s age, your city and your budget.
Frequently asked questions
Is it too late to enroll my child for 2026-2027?
Not necessarily. Many private schools accept enrollments during the year when places become available, especially at preschool and primary level. Contact schools directly from their Olipo profile to check availability.
When should I start looking for a school for September 2027?
From the previous fall or winter. The most popular schools hold open days and open pre-registration between January and April; some have waiting lists.
Which documents do you need for enrollment?
Usually: a birth certificate extract, passport photos, the vaccination record, the latest school reports and, when changing schools, a leaving certificate (certificat de radiation) from the previous school. The exact list depends on the school.
When do you need to confirm re-enrollment?
Schools often ask families to confirm re-enrollment in the spring, along with re-enrollment fees. After the deadline, the place may be offered to other families.