Private bilingual school · Lyon 8th · Since 1979
A demanding school,
genuinely bilingual
All classes follow the French national curriculum, in both languages
Since 1979, New School has welcomed children from age two to CM2 in a human-scale, French-English bilingual setting. Our aim is to give them solid academic foundations, real ease in both languages, and the working method and confidence they need to succeed in the next stage of their schooling at middle school.
Since 1979
A pioneer of bilingual education and an educational reference in Lyon
Bilingual
French national curriculum in French and in English, by full days
20 to 25 pupils per class
Human-scale classes, with at least one teacher and one assistant per class in preschool
Cambridge certification
Preparation for the Cambridge English certifications, with exams sat on site, by level
Middle-school preparation
Preparing entry to the best state or private middle schools
Campus
New premises and equipment installed in 2023: over 2,200 m² for learning in excellent conditions in central Lyon
Our project
Since 1979, a bilingual school that prepares for the future
At New School, care does not mean the absence of a framework. It means a clear, explained, consistent and respectful framework. Children know what is expected of them. Families know what the school expects from them. Teachers share a common language.
Our conviction is simple: a child progresses when they grow in a stable, legible, demanding and warm environment.
This consistency is built every day: in the classroom, in the playground, in the canteen, during transitions, in exchanges with families and in the way adults support children through difficulties.
Discover our educational projectBilingual education
Bilingualism explained simply
One day in French. One day in English. Wednesday mornings alternate between the two languages according to the calendar given to families at the start of the year. An English-speaking team dedicated to learning in English. A progression built level by level, from developing oral language in preschool to preparing for the Cambridge English certifications from CE1.
- 50% of teaching time in French, 50% in English
- An English-speaking team dedicated to learning in English
- English is used as a language of learning, not only as a subject.
- Preparation for Cambridge English certifications; sitting organised on site when the pupil's level allows - presentation depends on age and level and is not automatic
PBIS framework
Positive discipline,
structured, consistent
Children need a clear and predictable framework to learn well. At New School, we have made a clear choice: structured positive discipline PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), an educational framework that teaches and recognises expected behaviours.
Concretely: children know how to enter class, how to speak to a peer, how to ask for help. Adults speak the same language. Families know what the school expects.
The framework does not prevent care. It makes it possible.
School life
A school where learning goes well beyond lessons
At New School, school is more than a place to study. It is a place to live, produce, present, celebrate, go outside, create, and learn to live together.
Tangible projects
Cookbooks, frescoes, art exhibits, oral presentations, bilingual cooking projects
Field trips
Musée Lumière, Musée des Confluences, shows, parks. At least 3 outings per year, per class.
Outdoor classes
At the bois des Essarts forest, to learn in direct contact with nature. School gardening.
Weekly sports
A dedicated PE teacher and a featured sport each year: swimming, climbing, fencing, ice skating, athletics.
Shared traditions
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Secret Santa, St Patrick, Christmas, International Sharing Week
Wednesday workshops
Mandarin, manga, cooking in English, world cultures, arts (with Dragon Kids School from 2026)
Supervision
Rare learning conditions in Lyon
20–25
Up to 25 pupils per class
Deliberately limited to preserve individual attention
2 adults
Minimum per class in preschool
A teacher and an assistant to support and follow each child
5 days
School week
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9am-4:30pm and Wednesday morning
7:30 → 18:30
Daily time window
Welcome from 7:30am, after-school care available until 6:30pm.
Middle school preparation
Preparing for entry
to demanding state or private middle schools, in France or abroad
Our goal is for children to know how to learn, express themselves, respect a framework, cooperate and produce careful work, so that they enter middle school with solid foundations.
New School follows the French national curriculum in full, in both languages. At the end of CM2, our pupils can continue their schooling in demanding schools. In particular, they can pursue a bilingual pathway in Lyon at Fénelon La Trinité and Assomption Bellevue, which New School works closely with to prepare pupils as well as possible. Each school sets its own admissions criteria and procedures; no place is guaranteed.
Partner middle school
Fénelon La Trinité
Lyon 6th district
A recognised independent school under State contract, in Lyon's 6th district.
Partner middle school
Assomption Bellevue
La Mulatière (west of Lyon)
A recognised school in the Lyon metropolitan area, in La Mulatière.
Institutional backing
The same educational group as the EPIN middle and high school, a shared culture of progress
EPIN is a school regularly recognised for its results. EPIN middle school was ranked #1 in France by Le Parisien in 2026.
This proximity feeds New School's pedagogical leadership: a clear framework, progress tracking, academic ambition and serious preparation for the next stage of schooling. New School keeps its own identity: a human-scale bilingual primary school, focused on the foundational years of preschool and elementary.
In summary
6 reasons why families choose New School
Teaching in two languages: 50% French, 50% English, with English used as a language of learning.
A structured environment: Explicit cues, a student posture and age-appropriate expectations.
A solid foundation of knowledge: French curriculum, fundamentals, working method.
Guidance towards success: Demanding middle schools, French, private, bilingual or international paths.
A human-scale school: Limited class sizes, individual follow-up, a real family-school relationship.
A clear vision: Helping every child build their own success.
International
A French school open to the world
CIS - membership application in progress
Council of International Schools
CIS membership application under review - the first step in aligning with the international standards of the Council of International Schools. New School Lyon is not yet a CIS member or CIS-accredited.
International outlook
A bilingual culture open to the world
Real bilingualism, English- and French-speaking cultures, international traditions, citizenship projects and environmental awareness: New School builds a concrete, progressive openness to the world.
Frequently asked questions
Five common questions
No. New School is a structured private bilingual school which partially benefits from a simple contract with the French State and follows the French national curriculum, applying an explicit educational framework (PBIS). The approach is not Montessori.
Teaching time is split equally between French and English, with full days in each language, an English-speaking team dedicated to learning in English, and a structured progression up to Cambridge English certifications.
Because tuition fees fund, in particular, the bilingual programme, supervision, the premises, Cambridge preparation and sport. In preschool, every class has at least one teacher and one assistant. Catering, supervised study and after-school care after 5pm are charged separately.
Case by case. The later the entry, the more important the assessment of English level and adaptability. Admission may be conditional on summer language support.
Genuine 50% French / 50% English alternation by full days, the PBIS framework explained and consistently maintained, in preschool, at least one teacher and one assistant per class, on-site Cambridge preparation, membership in the EPIN group, and links with Fénelon La Trinité and Assomption Bellevue to help pupils meet what secondary school expects.
Admissions 2026 - 2027
Places are limited by class size at New School
Applying early increases the chances of securing a place for the desired entry year.
