Top 10 Secondary Schools (Colleges) in Bordeaux

Sainte-Marie Grand Lebrun

Sainte-Marie Grand Lebrun is widely considered one of the finest secondary schools in Bordeaux. A private Catholic establishment under state contract and Marianist supervision, it consistently achieves the highest Brevet results in the city. In the French system, the Brevet is the national exam taken at the end of college (Year 10, age 15), and pass rates are a key indicator of academic quality.

More information at: grandlebrun.com

College Cassignol

Cassignol is one of the top-performing state secondary schools in Bordeaux, ranked fourth in the city for Brevet results. Located at 63 rue Laroche, it offers an unusual option for a state school in France: a Russian-English bilingual section (section bilangue), making it particularly attractive for multilingual families.

More information at: college-cassignol.ac-bordeaux.fr

College Alain Fournier

Alain Fournier is a well-regarded state school in central Bordeaux at 83 rue Saint-Genes, in the Saint-Seurin and Saint-Genes area. Ranked sixth in the city for Brevet results, it stands out for offering Mandarin Chinese from Year 7 (sixieme), a language option that appeals to internationally minded families.

More information at: college Alain Fournier website

Assomption Sainte-Clotilde

Assomption Sainte-Clotilde is a private Catholic school at 370 Boulevard Wilson, within the leafy Cauderan neighbourhood. Its secondary section offers an international English stream and a European Spanish section. The school places strong emphasis on autonomy, self-confidence and responsibility.

More information at: Assomption Sainte-Clotilde college

College Cheverus

Cheverus is a state school with an international and European linguistic vocation, one of the strongest language-oriented programmes in public education in Bordeaux. Options include a Spanish international section, a Russian-English bilingual stream and classical studies. For expatriate families seeking rigorous language teaching within the state system, Cheverus is a strong option.

More information at: college-cheverus.ac-bordeaux.fr

Saint-Joseph de Tivoli

Saint-Joseph de Tivoli is a private Catholic school at 40 avenue d'Eysines in Bordeaux, ranked third in the city for Brevet results. The school describes its educational philosophy through three pillars: the language of the mind, the language of the heart and the language of the hands, reflecting a holistic approach to learning.

More information at: tivoli-33.org

College Alienor d'Aquitaine

Alienor d'Aquitaine is a dynamic state school known for its cultural diversity and commitment to social inclusion. It offers dedicated arts programmes and competitive sports sections, making it a good fit for pupils with strong extracurricular interests alongside their academic studies.

More information at: alienor-bordeaux.fr

College Notre-Dame

Notre-Dame is a private Catholic school under state contract, located at 45 rue du Palais Gallien in Bordeaux's Saint-Seurin district. It enjoys a strong reputation and offers virtual tours along with detailed information about its educational projects on its website.

More information at: notredamebordeaux.com

Montessori International Bordeaux

Montessori International Bordeaux follows the Montessori method at secondary level and begins preparing pupils for the International Baccalaureate (IB). Languages are central to the curriculum, and students can sit international examinations. For families planning further international mobility, an IB-track school in Bordeaux can offer valuable continuity.

More information at: international-school33.fr

College Emile Combes

Emile Combes is a state school at 76 rue Emile Combes in Bordeaux. It enjoys a solid reputation and offers Japanese or Mandarin Chinese as a second modern language (LV2), an uncommon option in France that can be particularly appealing for families with ties to East Asia.

More information at: college-emile-combes.ac-bordeaux.fr

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For families with older children, the transition to secondary school is often the moment when location becomes critical. In Bordeaux, the best-regarded colleges sit in neighbourhoods that also offer spacious period apartments and character houses with gardens, from the central streets near Saint-Genes to the residential avenues of Cauderan. A full selection of family-sized properties is available among the properties for sale in Bordeaux.

Location is the single most important factor in a family property investment, and proximity to a strong school adds lasting value to any address. The consultants at BARNES Bordeaux work closely with relocating families, from the initial property valuation to settling in. The team is available via the contact page.

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