Looking for a high school study abroad program in France that combines US-aligned coursework, real academic structure, and full cultural immersion?
Notre-Dame International High School (NDIHS) welcomes international students onto our campus near Paris for a semester or a full academic year, with English-taught classes, boarding or homestay accommodation, and dedicated French as a Second Language (FSL) support built into the schedule.
NDIHS students study on our own accredited campus, alongside a resident international community from more than 20 countries, with academic continuity toward a US High School Diploma.
Check School's US-aligned Course Offerings
NDIHS's study abroad program welcomes international students in:
No prior French is required. All students receive French as a Second Language instruction, with beginner, intermediate, and advanced tracks depending on level. Incoming students are invited to join our French summer course in Paris, immediately before the school year starts, to ease the transition.
If your level of French is already strong and you'd rather be placed directly into a French high school, following the French national curriculum toward the French Baccalaureate, and living with a host family or in a French boarding school, that's a different program, better suited to a traditional student exchange in France.
Our partner Nacel places international high school students throughout France with host families or partner boarding schools, where they attend French-medium classes on the standard French curriculum.
NDIHS Study Abroad | Nacel Student Exchange | |
|---|---|---|
Where you study | NDIHS's own campus near Paris | A French high school, placed by Nacel |
Language of instruction | English, with FSL support | French |
French level required | None; beginners welcome | Above-average / intermediate+ |
Housing | Boarding at NDIHS or homestay | Host family or partner boarding school |
Academic track | US High School Diploma credit | French Baccalaureate track |
Best for | Students wanting academic continuity and full immersion, without needing fluent French first | Students confident in French who want a fully local school experience |
Notre-Dame International High School, your international boarding school in Europe
Choose Notre-Dame International High School for your high school study abroad programs in France!
Q: What's the difference between a study abroad program and a student exchange program in France?
A: A study abroad program like NDIHS's places you on one dedicated campus with English-taught classes, FSL support, and a US diploma track. A classic student exchange, like Nacel's, places you directly into a French high school with a host family, taught in French, on the French Baccalaureate track.
Q: Do I need to speak French to study abroad in France?
A: Not for NDIHS's program, no prior French is required, and FSL support is built into the schedule. Nacel's traditional exchange placements require an above-average level of French, since classes are taught entirely in French.
Q: Can I earn credit toward my high school diploma while studying abroad in France?
A: Yes. NDIHS issues a transcript and GPA each semester; US students earn credit directly toward their US High School Diploma, and students from other systems have their grades converted for use back home. This is not guaranteed in the traditional Nacel high school exchange.
Q: How long is the program : a semester or a full year?
A: Both are available at NDIHS: Grade 10 and 11 students can join for one semester or a full academic year; Grades 12 students typically join for the full year, with a Grade 12 fall-semester-only option.
Our Admission Counselors are available to assist you.
Please provide us with your information, and we will reach out to you promptly.