Between tradition and modernity, the Maison d'education of the Legion of Honor aim for academic success and the personal development of their students. The middle school located in the Loges in Saint-Germain-en Laye and the hight school educated 1000 boarders from 6th grade to post-baccalaureate. Through their status, traditions, and history, these institutions are unique within the French educational landscape.
Status
Atypical institutions in the French school system, the Maisons d'education are public schools placed under the authority of the Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honor. The admissions are solely opened to the daughters, grand-daughters and great-grand-daughters of French and foreign recipients of the Legion of Honor, the Military Medal and the National Order of Merit.
Teachers are part of the National Education system, and the curriculum they teach complies with the principles and program set by the Ministry of National Education. The two educational institutions are placed under the sole authority of the Superintendent, who personally oversees the maison d’éducation de Saint-Denis, while the Intendant oversees the maison d’éducation des Loges. Management is supported by the administrative services of the Grand Chancery.
Social role
The Maison d'education play a social role. Admission, based on an application and an interview, takes into account the child’s motivation for boarding school life, academic performance, and family context.
Particular attention is given to financial hardship, vulnerable family situations, and the geographical distance of the parents.
Find out more about the admission process
Individualized
The chiefs education advisers (CPE) are in charge of the academic supervision, composed of educational officers and housemistresses. These services structure the students’ time outside of the classrooms and provide supervision in an educational framework.
The boarding school’s naturally studious environment, personalized educational guidance, small classes (25 students on average), award system and quality of life all contribute to outstanding achievements year after year, with a 100% success rate for the brevet (middle school certificate) and baccalauréat (national high school diploma) diplomas.
Codes and customs
Uniforms, all-girl school, participation in official ceremonies... Through their history and unique status, the Maisons d'education have inherited traditions and symbols that encourage students to embrace a shared culture and to respect the principles of living well together.
Educational plan
The Maisons d’education of the Legion of Honour aim to educate young girls who are in tune with their time and to prepare them for their future lives, guided by the moral values of the institution.
Their educational plan is built around two core priorities: the transmission of knowledge and the development of their individual personality.
The Maison d'education in numbers
A look at history
The Maisons d’education of the Legion of Honor were created on December 15, 1805, by Napoleon, intent on filling the need for girls’ education, and convinced that women were to have a major role to play in society.
He himself defined the educational program of these future academic institutions, with a view to providing the daughters of civilian and military recipients of the Legion of Honor with “a dignified and independent life”.
Ever since the days of the 3rd Republic, the Maisons d’education have constantly modernized and gained prestige by dispensing a high standard of education without disowning their egalitarian and social foundation.
