Non-contract and contract schools: the differences

You’re filling out the enrollment application for the new school year and are torn between several schools with different legal statuses. Public, private under contract, or private not under contract: these terms are often used interchangeably, and it’s not always easy to understand what sets them apart. What are the real implications of these statuses for your child’s education?

A public school is administered and funded by the government. A school operating under contract enters into an agreement with the government, which pays the teachers’ salaries and oversees the curriculum. A school not operating under contract has complete educational and financial autonomy, while remaining subject to oversight by the Ministry of Education.

Are you looking for a bilingual preschool that's right for your child?

Learn about how our schools operate and our educational philosophy.

👉 Discover our bilingual preschools

What are the three types of schools in France?

In France, the education system includes public schools, private schools under contract with the government, and private schools not under contract with the government. The fundamental difference lies in the nature of the legal, educational, and financial relationship with the government.

The structure of the French school system is based on these three models:

• Public schools: jointly administered by local municipalities and the Ministry of National Education. Teachers are state employees. Education is mandatory starting at age 3, in accordance with current law. For a comprehensive overview of how the system works, you can read our summary to understand the French school system in 5 minutes.
• State-contracted private schools: bound to the government by a partnership agreement. The school follows the official curricula, schedules, and rules of the public sector in their entirety. The government covers the salaries of teachers, who are hired based on the same qualifications as in the public sector.
• Non-contract private schools: These schools receive no government subsidies and operate with complete financial autonomy. The school determines its own educational mission, teaching methods, instructional materials, and the hiring of its teaching staff.

Does a non-contract school follow the National Education curriculum?

A non-contract school is not required to follow the official National Education curriculum year by year. It must, however, ensure that every student acquires the core competencies by the end of compulsory education.

This autonomy makes it possible to design a curriculum tailored to the children’s needs. The school can implement specific methods, such as active learning approachesor daily language immersion. The pace of learning is adapted to each student’s individual pace, without the constraints of rigid age-based class divisions.

At theÉcole M, our mixed-age classesallow us to tailor learning to each child, regardless of age. This approach fosters cooperation among the children and allows each one to progress at their own pace. Academic standards remain high to ensure continuity in the students’ educational journey.

Who oversees a private school that is not under contract?

Private schools not under contract with the government are still subject to regular inspections by government agencies. The National Education inspector conducts inspections to verify the safety of the facilities, the validity of the staff’s credentials, and the students’ academic progress.

As soon as a non-contract school opens, and then throughout its operation, the school district conducts inspections. You can view the official legal regulations governing private schools on the Ministry of National Education’s website.

Government inspections cover several key areas:

• Safety and hygiene of the facilities: inspection of childcare standards, play areas, and conditions for caring for young children.
• Profile of the educational staff: verification of identification documents, criminal background checks, and verification of the supervisors’ educational credentials.
• Quality of instruction: assessing students' skills to ensure they have mastered the fundamentals required at the national level.

To learn about all the enrollment options in the Paris region, check out our guide to non-contract preschool and elementary schools in Paris and the Île-de-France region.

What the new status changes for your child—and what it doesn't change

The legal status affects the educational structure and the selection of staff, but it does not alter the value of your child's educational journey. All schools aim to foster independence, personal growth, and academic success.

Here's what changes depending on the status you select:

• Our Educational Approach: The non-contract sector allows us to adopt active teaching methods, drawing inspiration, for example, from the work of Maria Montessori, Freinet, and Reggio Emilia. To learn more about our vision for education, visit our page on our schools’ educational philosophy.
• Teaching Staff Profile: The school may hire native English speakers or individuals with specialized experience in managing small groups.
• Class size: The absence of enrollment limits allows us to prioritize small groups for personalized support.

Conversely, what remains the same regardless of status:

• Compulsory Education: Enrolling your child in a private school that is not under contract complies with the legal framework for compulsory education starting at age 3.
• The value of learning: The skills acquired enable the child to transfer to a different type of school during his or her schooling.

École M's commitment

École M is a network of private, secular, French-English bilingual preschools.École M follows the National Education Calendar for Paris. Upon completing the “grande section” (the final year of preschool), students atÉcole M have the required and verified skills to enter first grade (CP) at any type of school: public, private under contract, private not under contract, or international. We support families in making this choice.

Would you like to visit one of our schools and ask the staff your questions?

Schedule an appointment to speak with the director during a dedicated meeting.

👉 Register your child for theÉcole M