A privileged educational system

The Prince’s Government places Education at the top of its concerns with regard to the Principality's future. The results of its constant investment, in both the human and the material aspects, has been evident for decades in brilliant examination results at the end of secondary school and in subsequent university courses.

The Monegasque educational system bases its organisation on the French educational program, but with some specific features that contribute to the quality of education in Monaco.

The Principality has ten State-run schools: seven nursery and primary schools, a secondary school (collège), a upper secondary school (lycée) providing general and technical education and a "lycée" offering vocational and catering training, as well as two private religious institutions run under contract to the State.

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These institutions serve more than 4,350 students enrolled in the state sector, with around 450 teachers. Some 1,250 students are educated in the private sector under contract, with approximately 108 teachers, of whom 56 are seconded from the Monegasque public sector and made available under private contract.

The training offered is complemented by private or individual providers.

For example, the International School of Monaco, which offers a bilingual (English-French) education from nursery school onwards and the Princess Grace Dance Academy, which offers an artistic education, specialising in dance and a school education from secondary level onwards.

Higher educational training is also available at the International University of Monaco (bachelor, masters' and doctoral training in management, finance, MBA Bachelor of Science and Business Administration), the "École Supérieure d’Arts Plastiques" (Visual Arts School), which is under the responsibility of the Monaco Town Hall, which awards diplomas in higher arts education (the DNAP: Diplôme National d’Arts Plastiques - Higher National Diploma in the Visual Arts, the DNSEP: Diplôme national supérieur d'expression plastique - Higher National Diploma in Artistic Expression) and finally the "Institut de Formation en Soins Infirmiers" (Nursing Training Institute) at the Princess Grace Hospital Centre, which prepares students for the State diploma in nursing.

The public lycées also offer post-Baccalaureate training in hotel studies and the service industries.

It is worth mentioning that although the educational system strives for excellence, the Prince’s Government is also pursuing an ambitious social policy. One of the objectives of this policy is to help overcome the difficulties that some young people experience and offer them the means to enter working life by a suitable route.

The specifics of teaching in Monaco:

An emphasis on the teaching of English from nursery school to the end of secondary school. This aspect of the Monegasque educational system is clearly shown in an intensive English option at 8/9 years of age as well as an international stream and a European section available to secondary pupils
French is taught as a "foreign language" in educational establishments to help integrate non-French speaking pupils
Programme promoting reading
Promoting national culture, with teaching of the Monegasque language and the history of Monaco
Cultural and artistic educational programme, in association with the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Opera, Ballet, the Orchestra and the Theatre
Developing partnerships with the Principality's scientific and heritage entities, such as le Musée d'Anthropology Préhistorique (the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology), le Musée Océanographique (the Oceanographic Museum), le Jardin Exotique (the Exotic Garden) and the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (New National Museum of Monaco), as well as the Department of Urban Amenities
Teaching sport in school, which is an integral part of the educational system; physical education and sports classes from age six to seven onwards and swimming classes from the age of five, given by specialist teachers
Sports classes timetabled at the Collège Charles III