At Notre-Dame International High School, students join an international community located near Paris, where education, cultural discovery, and personal development come together. Living and studying away from home allows our students to develop important life skills while being guided bycaring adults and surrounded by classmates from different countries and backgrounds, including local French students!
We offer our international students various housing options:
- either live with a French host family, for a deep cultural immersion;
- From Mondays to Fridays at the Boarding House and with a host family on weekend
- Or full-time at the Boarding House, including Weekend Boarding.
For many students, boarding is their first real experience of managing daily life more independently. They learn to organise their time, follow routines, prepare for school, manage homework, take care of their personal space, and make responsible choices. These everyday habits may seem simple, but over time they help students become more self-reliant and mature.
Boarding life also encourages students to communicate more confidently. Whether they need help with schoolwork, have a question about daily life, or simply want to share how they are feeling, students learn to speak with teachers, staff, and peers in a respectful and constructive way. This ability to ask for support when needed is an important part of becoming independent.
Notre Dame International High School's Boarding House can welcome up to 100 students, both French and international students; boys and girls are hosted on different floors. We welcome our students in single rooms, with shared facilities.
This is a multicultural and multilingual community, with more than 20 citizenships represented and multilingual staff.
At Notre-Dame International High School, students are not expected to grow on their own. They are supported throughout their experience by a structured and caring environment. Clear routines help students feel secure, while the international setting encourages them to step outside their comfort zone, discover new perspectives, and learn from others.
Independence also develops through balance. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for themselves, while still knowing that guidance is available. They learn that freedom comes with expectations, and that making choices also means understanding consequences. This gradual development helps students prepare for university and adult life in a safe and supportive setting.
Meals
Students usually have breakfast and dinner in the school restaurant, following the daily meal schedule. This is also a nice time for them to relax, chat with friends, and enjoy a routine similar to everyday school life.
To keep the boarding areas clean and comfortable for everyone, food and drinks are not allowed in bedrooms or hallways.
Mobile Phones and Connected Devices
During the school day, the use of mobile phones, computers, gaming devices, and other connected devices is limited according to the school’s internal rules. In general, students may use these devices outside the school buildings between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Once students are back under the responsibility of the boarding school, mobile phone use is allowed in the boarding school areas from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., except in the study room, where students are expected to focus on their work.
From 10:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., phones are put away so that everyone can rest properly and be ready for the next school day.
These simple daily routines help students enjoy a balanced boarding experience, with time for study, social life, independence, and rest.
Activities offered during free time
- Movie night, board games
- Sports activities in the school and possibility to participate in a sports club in Verneuil, twice a week maximum. The return to the boarding school must be at 6:50 p.m., before dinner at the cafeteria. (Exception for the practice of a sport in a club)
With the parents' permission, boarders have the opportunity to go out 45 minutes after classes every day of the week.
Living with students from around the world is one of the most valuable parts of the boarding experience. Students learn to respect different cultures, habits, languages, and ways of thinking. They build friendships across borders and develop the kind of open-mindedness that is essential in today’s world.
Being close to Paris also offers students a unique cultural advantage. The region provides opportunities to discover French culture, history, language, and daily life, while still studying in an international academic environment. For students coming from abroad, this creates a rich and memorable experience both inside and outside the classroom.
Ultimately, boarding at Notre-Dame International High School helps students grow as individuals. They become more confident, more responsible, and more comfortable living in an international environment. They learn how to manage themselves, connect with others, and adapt to new situations.
For families considering an international high school experience near Paris, Notre-Dame International High School offers much more than a place to study. It offers a welcoming community where students can learn, grow, and prepare for the next step in their journey with confidence.
