There is ten years of compulsory education for all children in Monaco, from age 6 to 16 years. The education curriculum in Monaco follows France's system closely, and the diplomas obtained are the same. The main differences are the inclusion of the learning of the Monegasque language, the history of Monaco and learning about Monegasque culture in elementary schools. The rate of success to pass the French National Baccalaureate examination is close to 90%.

About a quarter of children in Monaco attend private school – the rest attend public schools. There are 10 state-operated public schools - 7 nurseries and primary schools, 1 secondary school, 1 lycee (college for general and technical training), and 1 college for vocational and hotel training.

For children aged 6 and below, nurseries or day care centers are usually privately-operated, and they run their own curriculum. Halte-garderies are day care facilities for working parents with children aged three years. Given the limited number of spaces, day care facilities run by the state are reserved mainly for Monegasque nationals, or Monegasque residents who have worked in Monaco for at least a year. For some nurseries, admission is also determined by place of residence. The 7 nurseries run by the state and their contact details are listed here.

From age six years, this marks the beginning of compulsory education in Monaco (ecoles elementaires). Elementary / primary school consist of Cours Preparatoire (CP) – for 6-7 year olds; Cours Elementaire (CE1), 7-8 year olds; Cours Elementaire 2 (CE2) – for 8-9 year olds; Cours Moyen (CM1), 9-10 year olds; and COurs Moyen 2 (CM2) – for 10-11 year olds. For children aged between 11 to 15 years, children attend secondary school. Grade levels go in descending order, from sixth to second. Post compulsory grades are first and final.

For teenagers aged between 15 and 18 years, the final years are known as the Seconde, Premiere and Terminale. Only the Seconde grade for teenagers aged between 15 to 16 years is compulsory. The final examinations are the Baccalaureate (also known as the "Bac). The Baccalaureate and the International Option Baccalaureate are internationally recognized qualifications for university entrance all around the world.

Expatriates who prefer their children to attend an international school, they can send their children to the International School of Monaco. The International School of Monaco offers three IB programs, and offers education from early years to secondary level (age 3 to 18 years). It is also a bilingual school. The International school is located at 12 Quai Antoine Premier. Visit their website at www.ismonaco.org or call their admissions office at (+377) 93.256.820 for more information.

There are two grant-aided denominational (Catholic) and privately-run schools – The Institution Francois d'Assise Nicolas Barre (11 rue Princessee Marie de Lorraine) and the Ecole des Soeurs Dominicaines (9 rue Bellevue). The Institution Francois d'Assise also has a college (Tel: (+377 97.702.590). There are also specialist schools, for example, the Rainier III Academy of Music, The Princess Grace Academy of Classical Dance, the Municipal School of Plastic Arts (for students aged 18 and above) and the Nursing School (at the Princess Grace Hospital).

The academic year starts in September each year, and there are four terms to each academic year, each term marked with a short break. For more information about educational options in Monaco, you may wish to contact the Ministry of Education (Ministere de Etat) or the Direction de I'Education Nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports at Lycee Technique, Avenue I'Annonciade (Tel: (+377) 93.158.306; website www.education.gouv.mc).

Monaco also as a university – the International University of Monaco (IUM) is located at 2, Avenue Prince Hereditaire Albert. IUM offers mainly business-related degrees, such as MBA in Luxury Management, or International Management or Applied Finance (in addition to Executive MBAs). Masters in Finance, Luxury Goods and Services, and Doctoral Programs are also offered. For more information, visit their website at www.monaco.edu or call their general enquiry line at (+377).97.986.986.