Key points in 30 seconds
- Identify the appropriate school level.
- Contact the town hall or education authority.
- Provide documents and explain language needs.
Find the right authority
Education is compulsory from age three. Ask your local town hall about nursery and primary school. For collège or lycée, contact the DSDEN or regional education authority; placement follows a different process.
Advice from the association
Don't leave this procedure to the last minute — come and see us.
Prepare family records
Gather identity, family relationship, address and vaccination documents. The authority and school confirm requirements. If documents are missing or housing is unstable, explain your circumstances and ask how to proceed.
Common mistake
Waiting for fluent French.
Discuss language support
Education services may assess previous learning and French needs. CASNAV supports newly arrived pupils. Support such as UPE2A depends on assessment and local provision rather than being automatic.
Common mistake
Assuming meals are automatically arranged.
Complete the enrollment
At primary level, contact the assigned school director after town hall registration. Meals, after-school care and transport may require separate applications. Confirm the start date, timetable and teacher contacts.
Common mistake
Using primary procedures for lycée.
Step by step
- 1Identify the appropriate school level.
- 2Contact the town hall or education authority.
- 3Provide documents and explain language needs.
- 4Complete enrollment following placement.
- 5Apply separately for additional services.
Documents needed
Collected: 0 / 4
FAQ
Can a child enroll mid-year?
Contact the authorities on arrival to determine the procedure and placement.
Must every record be translated?
Ask the receiving service before paying for translations.