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Public European schools, private international schools, French and British curricula: an overview of the alternatives to the Luxembourgish school system and how to apply.
The trilingualism of Luxembourg's schools is an asset, but it can be an obstacle for a child arriving mid-schooling. Fortunately, Luxembourg offers a wide range of international and European schools, both public and private.
In recent years the State has created public schools following the accredited European curriculum, free of charge, offering the programme of the European Schools (English, French and German language sections, depending on the school). They lead to the European Baccalaureate, recognised throughout the European Union. They are located notably in Differdange and Esch-sur-Alzette, Junglinster, Mondorf-les-Bains, Clervaux and Mersch.
| Type of school | Main language | Fees | Diploma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accredited public European schools | EN / FR / DE (sections) | Free | European Baccalaureate |
| European Schools Luxembourg I and II (for entitled families of EU institutions, others subject to places) | Multiple sections | Free or fee-paying depending on status | European Baccalaureate |
| Private international schools (e.g. International School of Luxembourg, St George's) | English | Fee-paying | IB / A-Levels |
| French-curriculum schools (e.g. Vauban) | French | Fee-paying | French Baccalaureate |
| International classes in public lycées | English or French | Free | International or national diploma |
Each school manages its own admissions, but the typical procedure is as follows:
Ask yourself three questions: how long will you stay in Luxembourg? In which language will your child learn best? Which diploma are you aiming for? A young child generally integrates very well into the Luxembourgish public system, while a teenager who has just arrived will often benefit from an English- or French-language European-programme section - with no tuition fees.
In the public European schools, tuition is free and secondary-school textbooks are covered as in classical lycées; only the canteen and certain trips remain payable. In the private sector, annual fees vary greatly by school and level: ask about internal scholarships and sibling discounts. Also think about the daily commute: public transport is free throughout the country, and several schools run shuttles. Finally, joining a waiting list is never pointless, as places free up every summer.
