European School Strasbourg is the result of a long lasting and exemplary collaboration between Académie de Strasbourg, Strasbourg local authority, Bas-Rhin regional council and Région Alsace.

Its roots are to be found in the status of European capital held by the city since 1948 and in the establishment of the Council of Europe.  Reinforced since then by the development of new European, and even international, institutions, the position of Strasbourg has definitely been consecrated by the establishment of the European Parliament and, later, the arrival of the European Union Ombudsman.

In line with such development, the City had to be in a position to offer education solutions up to the expectations of European and international civil servants as well as those of diplomats. International teaching in the Strasbourg area was already widely available, in particular due to the presence of "international sections" in the French educational system.  However, there was still a lack of teaching solutions closer to international criteria and therefore more likely to attract to Strasbourg an international population willing to ensure a manner of continuity for their children’s schooling while also allowing for its mobility.

A "Type 2" school

The French Ministry of education has opted for the European schools’ pedagogical model.  Its application was made possible in France due to possibility raised in 2006 by the European Schools Council (ESC) to create associated schools known as "Type 2 schools", i.e. with a pedagogical model strictly conforming to the one implemented in the 14 European schools known as "Type 1" but with an administration system under the responsibility of the hosting country.

Pedagogical model

Created in 1953, the European schools' pedagogical model has demonstrated its worth and represents today an original response to the educational needs of parents anxious to share with their children their own commitment to Europe.

Based on a multicultural approach, with strong emphasis on languages, as well as on the child's autonomy and an important place left to parents in the school, a complete curriculum is elaborated from nursery school through to the European Baccalaureate, which is a certificate fully acknowledged in all the countries of the European union, as well as by some other countries, to seek admission to any institution of higher education.

The Strasbourg project

The project was approved unanimously by the ES Board of Governors at its session held on 14 to 16 April 2008, in Helsinki. The EES was officially acknowledged by the Board of Governors, meeting in Stockholm held on 21, 22 and 23 April 2009. Such acknowledgement will have to be renewed every two years.

The premises

Both premises are established in the neighbourhood known as Vauban, next to each other and near the international institutions:

>nursery and primary courses are in new modular buildings, on 6 rue de Wallonie.

>the secondary course is established in Collège Vauban, on 70 boulevard d’Anvers.

Forms currently opened

September 2008

The principle adopted involved the curriculum being gradually constructed and the first pupils were enlisted in September 2008, at the following levels:

>the two levels of the nursery course and the first two levels of the primary course: approximately 175 pupils

>the first two levels of the secondary course: approximately 55 pupils

Pupils are divided into three linguistic sections: German, English and French.

Note that no german-speaking form was opened at the secondary school in September 2008 due to an insufficient number of applications.

September 2009

The structure of the EES was further built in September 2009: 

Nursery school

 1^st and 2^nd year, all 3 language sections (French, English, German)

Primary school

from 1^st to 5^th year, all 3 language sections

(French, English, German)

Secondary school

from 1^st to 3^rd year, 2 language sections (French, English) and 1^st year, German section

September 2010

620 pupils splitt over in 28 classes Nursery school, Primary school and Secondary school

Nursery school

 1^st and 2^nd year, all 3 language sections (French, English, German)

Primary school

from 1^st to 5^th year, all 3 language sections

(French, English, German)

Secondary school

from 1^st to 4^th year, 2 language sections (French, English) and 1^st to 2^nd year , German section

September 2011

701 pupils splitt over in 31 classes Nursery school, Primary school and Secondary school

Secondary school

from 1^st to 5^th year, 2 language sections (French, English) and 1^st to 3^rd year , German section

The pedagogical team

The managing board includes a director of studies, a director heading secondary levels, a director heading the nursery and primary courses as well as a pedagogical advisor and it manages a team of 51 teachers:

>37 are teaching in the secondary course.

>24 are teaching in the nursery and primary courses.

Two specialised nursery school workers and teaching staff at Collège Vauban are also part of the team. 

Who is the European School for

The school is open to all

• A1 The children of the European communities and children formerly attending a European school are admitted by right.
• Applications for other children will be examined according to the following priority and the limited places:
• B1 Children of staff members of non-EC European institutions and other international organisations.
• B2 Children of accredited diplomatic and consular staff representing EU member and other states.
• B3 Children of families domiciled in Strasbourg or nearby on a non-permanent basis and for whom future schooling is envisaged in a education system other than the French system.
• B4 Children whose mother tongue is a language other than French.
• B5 Children whose family is susceptible to mobility within Europe.
• B6 Children for whom the family wishes an education in accordance with the ethos of European schools.

The school week

The EES works Monday to Friday. For the academic year 2011/12, hours are as follows:

Nursery and Primary schools:

A: Regards Nursery / Primary  1/ Primary 2: 25h30 per week

B:  Regards Primary 3/ Primary 4 /Primary 5: 27h15 per week

Secondary school:

Monday to Friday: 8.05 - 15.30, except Wednesday: mornings only

After School

A school canteen is provided by the College Vauban and the municipality of Strasbourg.

Extra-mural and extra-curricular activities organised jointly with the Parents' Association take place until 18.15

What role do parents play?

They play an important role in the various committees and working groups of the European school. They may put forward views and suggestions concerning the organisation of the school via their elected representatives on the consultative committee, the school council and the Administrative Board of the college Vauban.

Parents are charged with organising and running extra-mural and extra-curricular activities.

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