Private school "out of contract": what are the rules?

Verified 22 October 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

Your child can attend school in an institution private off-contract, i.e. an establishment which has not signed an agreement with the State. Opening procedures, pedagogical organization, registration procedures: here is the information to know about private schools outside contract.

Creative approach

The private school out of contract is an establishment which has not signed an agreement with the State. This establishment must, however declare his opening to the rector of the academy where he settles.

The rector sends the declaration to the mayor of the commune, the prefect and the public prosecutor.

The establishment opens automatically after a 3 months delay from the date of the declaration, except in the case of opposition to the opening.

Opposition to openness

The rector, the mayor, the prefect and the public prosecutor may oppose the opening of the establishment for the following reasons:

  • In the interest of public order or the protection of children and young people
  • The person who opens the establishment and/or the person who will run it is not French, a national of a country of l'' (UE) or l' (EEE)
  • The person who opens the establishment and/or the person who will run it has been convicted of a crime or offense contrary to probity and morals
  • The person who opens the institution and/or the person who will run it has been deprived of all or part of civil, civil and family rights, or parental authority
  • The person who opens the school and/or the person who will run it is permanently prohibited from teaching
  • The person who runs the school does not meet the qualifications to be a teacher
  • The person who runs the institution has not held at least 5 years of leadership, teaching or supervision in a public or private school in a country of the UE or EEE
  • The establishment does not have the character of a school or technical establishment.

Penalty in case of illegal opening

A private establishment outside contract that opens without being declared or despite opposition authorities may be closed by the prefect.

Please note

In these 2 cases, the Dasen: titleContent formal notice the parents of the children in the school must enroll them in a school. They must do so within 15 days of the notification the formal notice.

The person responsible for opening the institution risks 1 year in prison and €15,000 of fine.

It also risks a ban on opening, running and teaching a school. This ban may be final or fixed for a maximum period of 5 years.

The private non-contract school is not obliged to follow the programs, or to respect the schedules of public education.

However, it must enable children to acquire the knowledge of the common base of competences.

The State does not pay teachers. It is the institution that recruits teachers and pays them.

Non-contract establishments are inspected from the 1re year of operation.

Other checks may be organized subsequently.

These inspections consist of checking the establishments on the administrative and pedagogic.

Administrative control

The prefect and the rector check that the principal and the teachers have the necessary diplomas to perform their duties. They shall also check that the operation of the establishment complies withpublic orderhealth and social prevention and the protection of children and young people.

Pedagogical control

The rector ensures that the teachings enable the children to acquire the knowledge of the common base of competences.

FYI  

If the persons in charge of the establishment refuse or obstruct the checks, the prefect may decide to close the establishment temporarily or permanently, without formal notice prior.

Approach

Your child's registration is done directly with the chosen establishment.

The dates and modalities of enrollment may vary from one private educational institution to another. Inquire directly at the property.

Who shall I contact

Cost

The cost of tuition varies depending on the institution

If you want to move your child from private out of contract to public education, you must contact the Department of National Education in your place of residence.

Who shall I contact

If your child returns to college or at high school, he must succeed a admission examination to be able to enroll in the chosen public institution.

The admission exam covers the main disciplines taught both in the classroom attended and in the one where your child wishes to continue his studies. Its content is defined by the Dasen: titleContent.

The head of the institution where your child wishes to enroll organizes the admission exam and chairs the jury. If successful, your child is assigned by the academy inspector.

Please note

An admission examination may be organized outside the usual periods when the family's request is motivated by particular reasons. For example, in the event of a family event or a move.

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