How do you enrol children in public school in France in 2026?

Service-Public guidance for a first installation from abroad says you enrol at the mairie first, then at the school. Aim to complete mairie inscription by June before the September rentrée when possible; many communes open earlier in the spring. Bring identity evidence for you and the child (passport, livret de famille, or birth extract) and a recent justificatif de domicile. Some mairies accept an attestation sur l'honneur for address when other proofs are still catching up.

From age six, the school or education services may assess skills to decide the class. Cantine and after-school activities often need extra forms and local fees that are separate from tuition, which is free in the public system for standard schooling.

Secondary enrolment uses different portals and academies (regional education authorities). Contact the académie or the collège that covers your address rather than assuming the primary mairie form covers ages 11 and up. Families comparing paid campuses should price international school costs separately from the public track.

Apostilled foreign school records and sworn translations help when prior grades matter: Apostille documents. Housing choice still drives catchment; see best places for families before you sign a lease far from the school you want.