Which school should you choose for your children in Luxembourg if you come from abroad?

Have you just decided to move to Luxembourg with your family? So you're probably wondering which is the best international school to enrol your children in. Here's everything you need to know:

How does the Luxembourg education system work?

Before choosing the ideal school for your children, it is essential to understand the basics of the Luxembourg school system.

Basic education: from age 4 to 12

Education is compulsory in Luxembourg from Ages 4 to 16. Basic education covers 9 years divided into four cycles :

• Cycle 1 (4-5 years) : Compulsory pre-school education, called Spillschoul, is conducted entirely in Lëtzebuergesch. You can even enrol your child from the age of 3 in optional early education to facilitate his or her linguistic integration.
• Cycles 2, 3 and 4 (6-12 years) The primary school itself, where Luxembourg's characteristic trilingualism develops.

Trilingualism: the key feature

The Luxembourg system stands out for its progressive multilingual approach:

• From age 6 (cycle 2), literacy is taught in German - and not in Lëtzebuergesch. German became the language of instruction for most subjects. At the same time, oral French was introduced.
• From the age of 8 (cycle 3), French begins to be taught in written form and is gradually becoming a more important part of the curriculum.

Result: by the end of primary school, children have mastered three European languages (Luxembourgish, German, French) plus English introduced at secondary level.

Crucial guidance at 12

At the end of Cycle 4, orientation towards secondary education is a decisive moment. Pupils take assessments in French, German and mathematics. Depending on their results, they are directed to :

• Traditional secondary education 7 years of university studies for the best students
• General secondary education more varied, from 6 to 8 years depending on the area of study, ranging from technical training to university preparation

This orientation based on academic performance is a sticking point for many expatriates, who cannot really choose their child's path. This is one of the main reasons why some families choose international schools.

Challenges for new arrivals

While the public system in Luxembourg offers a number of advantages (free tuition, local integration, trilingualism), it is not the only one, the initial language barrier can represent a considerable challenge for children arriving after the age of 6.

Fortunately, the Ministry of Education offers reception classes and intensive courses Luxembourgish and German to make it easier for foreign pupils to adapt. But a French-speaking child arriving at the age of 10 will have to catch up on several years of German in a few months - it's feasible, but intense.

What private international schools are there in Luxembourg?

Almost half the population of the Grand Duchy is expatriate. Luxembourg has therefore developed a varied range of accommodation to meet the needs of international families.

International schools are often the preferred choice of expatriates because they offer internationally recognised programmes. This guarantees your children's educational continuity if you ever leave Luxembourg. But be warned: these schools are private! You will need

Here are a few possibilities:

The International School of Luxembourg (ISL)

It is the benchmark for international education. L'ISL was founded in 1963 and has 1300 students aged 3 to 18, representing over 50 nationalities. The school offers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) programme in English, recognised by the world's leading universities.

• Annual cost : Between €14,750 and €22,500 depending on level
• Highlights: Excellent pass rate, modern facilities, full IB programme
• Location: Luxembourg-Merl, easily accessible

St. Gorge's International School

St. George's International School offers the British curriculum with preparation for IGCSE and A-Levels. Located in Luxembourg-Hamm, the school favours small classes for optimum personal attention.

• Annual cost : Between €13,500 and €18,500 depending on level
• Special features: Holistic approach, personal and social development
• Advantages : Small classes, individual attention, British culture

The European School of Luxembourg

L'European School Luxembourg has two campuses (Kirchberg and Mamer). It gives priority to the children of European civil servants, but accepts other students depending on the number of places available. The European Baccalaureate opens the door to many European universities. Tuition fees are generally covered in full or in part by the institutions.

The French lycée in Vauban

Francophone families sometimes prefer to turn to the Lycée français de Vauban (located in Gasperich), which is a benchmark in Luxembourg. This school, accredited by the French Ministry of Education, offers a complete curriculum from nursery to final year, preparing students for the French baccalaureate.

Since 2017, the campus has been located on a 5-hectare site in Gasperich. It welcomes over 2,500 students of 50 nationalities. Tuition fees are relatively low (between €5,500 and €7,500 per year).

The school also offers British and German international sections, enabling students to obtain the OIB (Option Internationale du Baccalauréat), which is highly valued by international universities.

In terms of French-language education, theÉcole Notre-Dame Sainte-Sophie is an interesting alternative. It offers a dual French and Luxembourgish curriculum from nursery to secondary school, in a more intimate, family-style setting.

Should you send your children to the state education system in Luxembourg?

This may be interesting, as the Luxembourg public education system has a multilingual approach unique in the world.

From the age of 4, children live in an environment where three languages coexist naturally: Luxembourgish, German and French.

Basic education lasts nine years, divided into four cycles. Cycle 1 (3-5 years) focuses on Lëtzebuergësch as the lingua franca, promoting social integration.

From cycle 2 (age 6), literacy is traditionally taught in German, with French gradually introduced from age 8.

Benefits for expatriate families :

• Teaching and textbooks are completely free of charge
• Children are fully integrated into Luxembourg society
• They will be able to master three European languages in addition to English
• Luxembourg schools offer special welcome programmes for new arrivals

The challenges to be anticipated mainly concern the initial language barrier, particularly for non-German-speaking families. However, there are a number of challenges, The Ministry of Education offers reception classes and intensive language courses to help foreign pupils adapt to their new environment. (find out more about support for students from abroad).

To sum up: enrolling your children in a Luxembourg state school is an excellent idea if you plan to live in Luxembourg. If you are planning to leave the country in a few years' time, you should opt for an international or French-speaking school.

How do you choose the ideal school for your children in Luxembourg?

There are a number of questions to ask in order to make the best decision:

• How long do you plan to stay in Luxembourg? For a short-term stay (less than 3 years), opt for international schools that guarantee educational continuity for your children. For a long-term stay, the Luxembourg system can be an excellent investment.
• What languages do your children speak? A French-speaking child will do best at the Lycée Vauban, while an English-speaking child will do best at ISL or St. George's. Multilingual children can benefit fully from the Luxembourg system.
• What budget do you have for your children's schooling? The state system remains free, while public schools represent a substantial investment (€10,000 to €25,000 per year). Some companies offer tuition grants (check with your employer).
• Finally, what are your children's educational plans (if they are at lycée)? The International Baccalaureate (IB) opens wide the doors to Anglo-Saxon universities, the French Baccalaureate facilitates access to the grandes écoles, while the European Baccalaureate favours European universities.

Depending on the answers to these questions, you can easily find the ideal school for your children in Luxembourg.

For more information, visit the Guidance Centre.

To find out which crèche to choose in Luxembourg for your young child, see this guide.