International School of Lyon

"The International School of Toulouse (IST) is a private, co-educational international day school situated in Colomiers, a community on the outskirts of Toulouse in the heart of south-west France."

Founded in 1999, the school has grown into a well-established institution serving students from approximately age two and a half through to eighteen, offering a continuous and coherent educational journey from the earliest years through to university preparation. At the core of IST's academic identity is the International Baccalaureate framework. Younger students follow the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), which emphasizes inquiry-based learning, international-mindedness, and the development of the whole child. At the upper end of the school, students pursue the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), a rigorous and globally recognized qualification that opens doors to universities around the world. Bridging these two programmes, the school offers a thoughtfully designed bespoke Middle School curriculum tailored to the developmental needs of adolescents, complemented by IGCSE examinations in Grades 9 and 10 — giving students an additional internationally recognized credential as they move toward the Diploma years. This combination of established global qualifications and purposefully crafted programming reflects IST's commitment to both academic rigor and thoughtful pedagogy. English is the primary language of instruction throughout the school, making IST a natural fit for expatriate families, relocating professionals, and internationally mobile students who require continuity with an English-medium education. Importantly, French is taught across all year levels, recognizing both the richness of the host country's language and culture and the practical value of French fluency for families living and working in the Toulouse region. IST holds accreditation from two highly regarded bodies: the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). These dual accreditations signal that the school meets rigorous international standards in governance, teaching quality, student support, and institutional development — reassurance that many discerning families actively seek when evaluating schools abroad. The school is also formally authorized as an IB World School, placing it within a global community of institutions committed to the IB's educational philosophy. The Colomiers location offers families the appeal of a quieter, more residential setting while remaining well connected to central Toulouse, one of France's most dynamic and fast-growing cities. Home to major aerospace and technology industries — including Airbus — Toulouse attracts a significant international professional community, and IST serves many of the families that come with it. The school's student body consequently reflects a genuinely diverse, multicultural environment, where children from many nationalities and backgrounds learn alongside one another. For families in the process of relocation to the Toulouse area, the International School of Toulouse represents a stable, accredited, and internationally minded choice. Its long-running commitment to IB education, its bilingual approach, and its position within a vibrant international community make it a school well worth a close look.