Why Ermitage?

Welcome to Ermitage!

For nearly 70 years, Ermitage International of School of France has been welcoming students through its doors, encouraging students to engage in their own education and learning.  There are many reasons for choosing a school that benefits your child.  Here are a few as to why we think you should choose Ermitage:

• Bilingualism & Diversity  Ermitage is an internationally diverse school that boasts over 50 nationalities among its faculty, staff and student bodies.  While many languages are offered within the classroom and many students come to Ermitage from different countries, Ermitage takes pride in its French-English bilingual curriculum.  Exposure to a bilingual education has many advantages, in particular cognitive, creative and communicative.  In addition, experts believe that being bilingual facilitates the learning of a third, even fourth, language.  This is why Ermitage offers, for its 6eme students and above, supplemental classes in Chinese, Spanish, German and Italian.

• Internationally Accredited Diploma Programs  Alongside the French Baccalaureate (Literature, Economie-Sciences, Sciences), students have the option of adding the ambitious bilingual program of the "international option" (OIB).  As a third diploma option, Ermitage recently received authorization to offer the IB Diploma Programme in English.`  Together these rigorous programs offer our students a unique academic journey, preparing them to become critical thinkers and global citizens.

• Proximity to Paris & Experiential Learning  Ermitage is conveniently located just outside of Paris in the small, historic town of Maisons-Laffitte, whose forest connects with that of Versailles. Learning outside the classroom is equally as important to the education of our students.  Experiential learning takes many forms.  Field trips into the major sites are closely linked to curricula, for example, the Middle School trip to Versailles coincides with a study of Louis XIV.

• Service Learning through Round Square  Ermitage is a proud Global Member of Round Square, an association of over 70 schools worldwide that encourages students to be conscious of the world around them and the humanitarian needs that present themselves.  All grade levels are exposed to the Round Square IDEALS of Imagination, Democracy, Adventure, Leadership and Service.  Every student participates in various fund-raising efforts and Upper School students, in particular, benefit from the opportunity of going to India to support Ermitage’s own ICU2 Eye Camps.

• Boarding & School Community  Over 120 students from around the world board at Ermitage.  The school's charming “houses” create a nurturing environment where living on campus gives students the opportunity to learn how to cooperate, to make life-long friendships, to gain a greater sense of independence and self-esteem and to reinforce the lessons learned in the classroom.  Each house strives to create a family atmosphere where each student is appreciated as an individual and recognized by every teacher as a valued member of the wider school community.  Ermitage students are encouraged to be tolerant, open-minded, intellectual risk takers and reflective in their academic pursuits.

For more information, please continue to explore our Admissions Section or contact our Admissions Team directly at admissions@ermitage.fr, who would be happy to discuss and provide details on all of our programs.