Primary schools in Luxembourg: Guide for Expat Parents

Primary education in Luxembourg lasts eight to nine years divided into four learning cycles according to age, with school mandatory from age four. The first language spoken at school is Luxembourgish (in Cycle 1), followed by French and German (in Cycles 2-4). Public schools are free, while international schools offer diverse curricula with tuition fees.

Planning your child's education in Luxembourg? Find educational services and international schools to support your family's needs.

Public Primary Schools in Luxembourg

There are 156 public primary schools in Luxembourg grouped into 15 local education directorates. They're managed by states and municipalities. The Ministry of Education, Children and Youth funds public primary schools, meaning they're free of charge. Majority of schools follow the same curriculum; however, three offer alternative teaching approaches: Eis Schoul (Kirchberg) operates according to inclusive pedagogy principles. Jean-Jaurès (Esch-sur-Alzett) is a continuous day school. Villa Mirabella (Wiltz) works under continuous day structures.

Public International Schools

Six public international schools in Luxembourg follow European school systems and curriculum. They offer French, English, and German-speaking sections at primary level. They're tuition-free and open to all students: Differdange et Esch-sur-Alzette (EIDE), Gaston Thorn (EIGT), International School Michel Lucius, Lënster Lycée International School, Lycée Edward Steichen, Mersch Anne Beffort (EIMAB), and Mondorf-les-Bains.

The Schedule in Public Primary Schools

Generally, schedules in public primary schools consist of three full days and two half days. Full days are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (08:00 to 16:00 with two-hour lunch breaks). Half days are Tuesday and Thursday (08:00 to 11:45). On average, there are 20 students per class. School years generally start in mid-September and end in mid-July. Several school holidays occur throughout years including October/November (All Saints Day holidays: 1 week), December/January (Christmas holidays: 2 weeks), February (Carnival/Winter holidays: 1 week), March/April (Easter holidays: 2 weeks), May/June (Pentecost holidays: 1 week), and July/August (Summer holidays: 2 months).

The Curriculum in Public Primary Schools

During Cycle 1, learning processes in public primary schools focus on social development of children. Main learning fields are psychomotricity, creative expression, life in community, culture, and awareness of languages. In Cycles 2-4, children learn about literacy, German, French, and Luxembourgish, as well as mathematics and sciences. Culture, health, and music are also part of curriculum. Physical education is mandatory though hours can vary. Newly-arrived international students who are four or five years old go directly to Cycle 1 to learn Luxembourgish. From Cycle 2 onwards, they attend regular classes plus intensive language classes or support courses taught in German and/or French.

Private Primary Schools in Luxembourg

Private primary schools follow various curriculums and teach in multiple languages. Some offer same curriculum as public ones. Others teach under alternative methods like Montessori or Waldorf and are subsidized by states. Private international schools teach various curricula and are subsidized by states or European Schools organization. Three private schools follow Montessori and Waldorf methods: Ecole Maria Montessori (French/German, Montessori), Fräi-ëffentlech Waldorfschoul Lëtzebuerg (French, Waldorf), and Montessori à Hobscheid (Luxembourgish, French, and German, Montessori).

International Schools in Luxembourg

Some international schools receive subsidies from government making them more affordable. It's important to check individual school websites for fees as they can vary significantly. In 2022, preschool fees started from €10,550 per year at Over The Rainbow (OTR) and €17,015 at International School of Luxembourg (ISL). There's often non-refundable application fees to factor in. These schools teach different curriculum from public primary schools. International schools subsidized by states include: Charlemagne (French), International School of Luxembourg (ISL) (German and French), Lycée Français de Luxembourg (French), Over the Rainbow (OTR) (English and French), Scuola Materna Cattolica Internazionale (Italian-English/English-French/Italian-French), and St. George's International School Luxembourg (English-only or French-English bilingual route).

The Pros and Cons of International Schools

While local schools provide good facilities and educational opportunities, some parents prefer to enroll children at international schools as they tend to offer more For languages, sports, and after-school activities. Students can maintain native tongues helping them integrate more easily into new life. International school environments are more multicultural aiding overall development. However, international school fees can still be high despite subsidies from states.