Schooling and Education in Monaco

The education system in Monaco: information includes all the stages from crèche to pre-primary, primary and secondary education and international schooling...

Education is compulsory for all children in Monaco from age 6 to 16. The syllabus is identical to that in France, however the curriculum is designed to give pupils an international perspective and additional language classes and classes on Monegasque history and culture are offered from the elementary school phase.

Monaco has ten state-operated schools, including seven nursery and primary schools, one secondary school, one lycée (college) that provides general and technical training, and one college that provides vocational and hotel training.

The school year runs four terms and starts yearly in early September.

General education and schooling enquiries should be addressed to:

The School System

Information for families with children in Monaco can be found below.

Primary Education

Mothers' help, crèches, kindergartens and nursery schools fall outside the official school system.

Halte-garderie is a day care facility open to children from the age of three years and three months. Limited space means that priority is given to certain children who have working parents.

The order of priorities is:

  1. The child must have Monegasque nationality or be the child of a Monegasque
  2. Must be domiciled in Monaco
  3. Parents are civil servant or government officials (not domiciled in Monaco)
  4. Both parents have worked in Monaco for at least one year and live in bordering French communes
  5. Both parents have worked in Monaco for at least one year and live beyond bordering communes
  • For a list of Monaco crèches and halte-garderies: Click here (in French)

Écoles Maternelles

In order to be accepted to nursery school, a child must be three years old (or turn three in the first quarter of the school year). Admission is also decided by catchment area. Parents must live in the geographical sector of the school their child attends.

Application is made to the local school.

Écoles Élémentaires

In order to be accepted to elementary school, a child must be six years old (or turn six in the first quarter of the school year). This is the beginning of compulsory education.

Elementary (or primary) school is structured as follows:

  • Cours Préparatoire CP: 6-7 years
  • Cours Élémentaire CE1: 7-8 years
  • CE2: 8-9 years
  • Cours Moyen CM1: 9-10 years
  • CM2: 10-11 years
  • For further information on écoles maternelles and élémentaires in Monaco: Click here (in French)

Secondary Education

For ages 11 to 15. Grade levels are named in descending order from sixth to second (compulsory) followed by post compulsory grades first and final.

Collège Enseignement Secondaire

Secondary school, first cycle for scholars aged 11-14 years.

  • Sixième 6ème: 11-12 years
  • Cinqième 5ème: 12-13 years
  • Quatrième 4ème: 13-14 years
  • Troisième 3ème: 14-15 years

Lycées

For ages 15 to 18. The final three years are the Seconde, Première and Terminale. It is at this point that the scholar specialises in a chosen area. The final exams are the Baccalauréat (the "Bac"). The Baccalauréat and the "International Option" Baccalauréat (OIB) are globally recognised qualifications for university entrance.

  • Seconde: 15-16 years (compulsory education)
  • Première: 16-17 years
  • Terminale (Bac): 17-18 years

Higher Education

The International University of Monaco provides all courses in English. There are undergraduate, graduate and business programmes both full and part time.

Types of School in Monaco

There a variety of education options in Monaco, ranging from the state school system to a range of specialist schools.

State Schools

Registration for a state school should be made at the office of the school secretary. The following documents must be supplied:

  • Certificate of nationality and of residence for nationals and Monegasque descendants
  • Certificate of residence for persons living in Monaco
  • The child's civil status record (or birth certificate)
  • A photocopy of the child's vaccination certificates
  • A certificat de radiation: document confirming that the child is are no longer registered with the previous school (except for children not yet at school)
  • Photocopy of the 1st term's school report from the previous school
  • Three stamped self-addressed envelopes

International Schooling

The International School of Monaco offers a bilingual education in French and English from age 3 to age 18.

Private Education

There are also two grant-aided denominational private schools, the Institution Francois d'Assise Nicolas Barre and Cours Saint-Maur. The application process for these two schools may differ to applying for state schooling in Monaco and all enquiries should be made directly to the schools.

Specialists Schools and Courses

There are a number of specialist schools and colleges in Monaco:

The Rainier III Academy of Music provides specialist music education for pupils aged 5 to 25 and is also responsible for promoting musical education in the principality

The Princess Grace Academy of Classical Dance, founded over 25 years ago, offers specialist dance programmes alongside a general education for children.

  • Princess Grace Academy of Classical Dance
    At: 5 avenue de la Costa, Monaco
    Tel: (+377) 93 30 70 40
    Fax: (+377) 93 50 96 13

Municipal School of Plastic Arts offers higher education courses (age 18+) including national diploma and higher national diploma qualifications.

  • Municipal School of Plastic Arts
    At: Avenue des Pins, Monaco
    Tel: +377 93 30 18 39
    Fax: +377 93 30 34 36

The Nursing School at the Princess Grace Hospital Complex offer higher education courses for those wishing to enter the nursing profession.

  • Nursing School, Princess Grace Hospital
    At    : Ave Pasteur, Monaco
    Tel: +377 97 98 99 00

Grants and support for students and their parents

Study grants and canteen grants are available to students at state schools who meet certain criteria.

Study grants

Study grants are available to children and students who:

  • are Monegasque citizens
  • are currently married to citizens of Monaco
  • have parents who are or were citizens of Monaco (the student must be resident in the principality or a neighbouring French department at the time of the application)
  • are dependant on, or the orphan of a public sector employee, an employee of a government institution, or the employee of a French utility. The employee should be in current employment or retired and living in Monaco or in a neighbouring French department
  • Foreign national students who themselves have been resident in Monaco for 15 years or more

Canteen grants

Canteen grants are available to children and students of state schools who:

  • are Monegasque citizens or, if foreign, could opt for citizenship
  • have parents who are or were citizens of Monaco
  • are the dependent of a citizen of Monaco
  • are dependant on, or the orphan of a public sector employee, an employee of a government institution, or the employee of a French utility. The employee should be in current employment or retired and living in Monaco or in a neighbouring French department

Additionally, parents must have been resident in Monaco for 10 years or more and meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • be widowed, divorced or separated
  • be families where both parents work
  • have at least three children living at home

Finally, the grant is means tested.

Contact

Further information about grants can be obtained from: