The Best Private Schools in Aix-en-Provence

The Private Education Sector in France and Why Choose It

France is home to prestigious private institutions, whose standing rivals that of London’s or New York’s great schools. Freedom in staff recruitment allows independent schools, secondary schools and sixth-form colleges to build teaching teams around a shared pursuit of excellence.

The financial resources of private institutions, partly funded by families themselves, guarantee premises, facilities and activities of the highest calibre. Smaller class sizes create far better learning conditions than the overcrowded classrooms often found in state schools. Close, individual attention to each pupil is one of the greatest strengths of private education, at every level.

Beyond providing pupils with an environment conducive to concentration and hard work, private institutions can also offer a wide range of extracurricular activities. These include sports clubs with prestigious track records, as well as music, dance and chess clubs that nurture intellectual, athletic and artistic development.

Parents tend to be more closely involved in how the institution is run. Meeting their expectations, which lies at the heart of a school’s mission, also comes with a commitment to results. Pass rates in exams and competitive entrance tests are consequently often far higher among pupils from private schools, a pattern especially evident among Aix-en-Provence’s most sought-after institutions.

The Most Highly Regarded Private Schools in Aix-en-Provence

As one of the most sought-after towns in Provence and along the Mediterranean coast, Aix-en-Provence is also home to some of France’s most prestigious private schools. Discover the best private schools, secondary schools and sixth-form colleges to educate your children and teenagers.

Sainte-Geneviève Private Primary School

A historic Aix-en-Provence institution founded in the 19th century, Sainte-Geneviève welcomes pupils from Reception through to Year 6, with three nursery classes, five primary classes and a smaller Year 5/Year 6 class tailored to gifted children.

The school runs an enhanced English programme from Reception to Year 6. A music teacher is also present in every primary class. Sainte-Geneviève further stands out for its high-quality school catering, serving children meals prepared from local, seasonal produce and offered buffet-style to encourage independence and respect each child’s own pace.

Find out more: official website of Sainte-Geneviève.

IBS of Provence

Founded in 1984, this school is distinguished by its diverse, multinational student body and its bilingual educational approach. With quality facilities and a strong sense of community, it guides pupils towards excellence, openness to others and fluency in both French and English.

For parents who see a bilingual education in Aix-en-Provence as an extraordinary opportunity for their children’s future, the International Bilingual School of Provence will undoubtedly be the school of choice.

Find out more: official website of IBS of Provence.

La Nativité School, Secondary School and Sixth-Form College

The La Nativité complex comprises a nursery and primary school, a secondary school, a general sixth-form college, and two preparatory classes for business and management schools. To think, to love, to serve and to flourish are the shared values across all La Nativité institutions.

Commonly known as ‘la Nat’, the school has three nursery classes and ten primary classes. Links with the secondary school are established early through joint projects, and school trips punctuate the academic year. Foreign language learning is a priority, with Chinese and German offered from primary level.

The secondary school offers bilingual classes from Year 7, across its Aix-en-Provence and Sainte-Victoire sites. The sixth-form college, meanwhile, offers numerous specialist options, including preparation for Sciences Po entrance exams and first-year medicine.

La Nativité’s private secondary school is ranked the best private secondary school in Aix-en-Provence, with a 90% distinction rate at the Brevet. La Nativité’s sixth-form college is ranked the best private sixth-form college in Aix-en-Provence, with a 95% pass rate to the Baccalauréat and a 100% success rate.

Find out more: official website of La Nativité.

Sacré-Cœur School, Secondary School and Sixth-Form College

Close to Parc Rambot and the prestigious Arts et Métiers ParisTech engineering school, the Sacré-Cœur institutions include an internationally minded nursery and primary school, a secondary school whose history dates back to the 16th century, a general and technological sixth-form college, and an accounting and management BTS programme.

The secondary school stands out for its sports-focused timetable, its Italian bilingual class from Year 7, its ULIS class for pupils with learning difficulties, and its Cambridge certification groups.

Sacré-Cœur’s private secondary school is ranked the 3rd best private secondary school in Aix-en-Provence, with an 84% distinction rate at the Brevet. Sacré-Cœur’s private sixth-form college is ranked the 2nd best private sixth-form college in Aix-en-Provence, with a 93% pass rate to the Baccalauréat and a 98% success rate.

Find out more: official website of Sacré-Cœur.

Sainte-Catherine-de-Sienne Secondary School and Sixth-Form College

On Rue Mignet in the heart of Aix-en-Provence, the Sainte-Catherine-de-Sienne school, secondary school and sixth-form college form a historic educational complex, housed within the very walls of the monastery and boarding school where Madame de Sévigné’s young daughters were once educated.

Run by the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus, the institution comprises a school divided into three stages, from Reception to Year 7, a close-knit secondary school of nine classes whose international and artistic outlook is supported by numerous partnerships, and a European-section sixth-form college that also offers film, literature, Asian studies and journalism clubs and workshops.

Sainte-Catherine-de-Sienne’s private secondary school is ranked the 4th best private secondary school in Aix-en-Provence, with an 82% distinction rate at the Brevet. Sainte-Catherine-de-Sienne’s private sixth-form college is ranked the 4th best private sixth-form college in Aix-en-Provence, with an 87% pass rate to the Baccalauréat and a 95% success rate.

Find out more: official website of Sainte-Catherine-de-Sienne.

Saint-Joseph School and Secondary School

The Saint-Joseph-Timon-David school and secondary school are located on Cours Saint-Louis, to the north-east of the historic centre. Founded in the 19th century as a centre for disadvantaged young people, the institution is today devoted to education and open-mindedness.

The school welcomes children from Reception to Year 6. The secondary school stands out for its ambitious cultural programme, spanning music, theatre and dance, reading and writing, visual arts, science, history, modern languages and faith.

Saint-Joseph’s private secondary school is ranked the 2nd best private secondary school in Aix-en-Provence, with an 87% distinction rate at the Brevet. Find out more: official website of Saint-Joseph.

La Chesneraie Secondary School in Puyricard

Founded in 1956, this Catholic secondary school offers a place of learning and education set on the Puyricard plateau, amid the privileged surroundings of the Aix countryside.

Spread over five hectares, the estate houses 16 classes from Year 7 to Year 10, for just under 420 pupils. Every pupil has their own desk with an individual locker, and classrooms are equipped with high-quality, high-tech equipment.

Several sports-focused classes are on offer, including a boys’ water polo section and a girls’ volleyball section. Awarded eco-school status, the secondary school is committed to sustainable development as well as numerous solidarity projects.

La Chesneraie’s private secondary school is ranked the 5th best private secondary school in Aix-en-Provence, with a 69% distinction rate at the Brevet. Find out more: official website of La Chesneraie.

Live Close to Your Children’s School in Aix-en-Provence

As you will have noticed, the town of Aix-en-Provence is home to numerous renowned private institutions. The standard of education, proximity and the options offered by each school are therefore all factors well worth examining closely. If you are looking for a property close to your children’s future private school, the advisors at our BARNES estate agency in Aix-en-Provence will be delighted to assist you in your search.

Certain neighbourhoods, such as La Torse, are among the most sought-after for their proximity to most of these institutions and their family-friendly atmosphere. As specialists in luxury real estate in Aix-en-Provence and the surrounding area, we can help you find the ideal location to suit your requirements.

The Pays d’Aix transport network provides easy access to the town centre. You can enjoy the leafy surroundings of villages such as Eguilles, Puyricard, Le Tholonet or Luynes, all while enjoying direct access to the prestigious institutions of the town of Aix-en-Provence. Do not hesitate to contact our advisors for personalised support.