Our History
One of the first bilingual international programs in France
Founded in 1960, the SIS Chaville-Sèvres was one of the first bilingual international programs in France. The initial offering of an English/French section was extended to include a German/French section in 1981. Since then both the number of students enrolled and the options available have increased steadily.
- Elèves des Sections
Founded under the aegis of the Education Ministry, the CIEP (Centre International d’Etudes Pédagogiques, directed at the time by Mrs. Edmée Hatinguais), and Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the international bilingual classes (currently SIS - Sections Internationales de Sèvres et Chaville) was one of the first in France.
In the first year of the program, 95 students from 14 different countries enrolled in the English Section offered only in the Collège (6th - 9th grade).
To view an article that appeared in the press in 1960 announcing the creation of bilingual classes at Sèvres, click here. >>
The initial texts already specified that “The bilingual classes are characterized by their distinctive mindset and way in which they operate. For example, parents play a very active role. This close cooperation enhances the development and well-being of the classes".
- Les SIS ont été créées sous l’égide du CIEP
On September 4, 1976 an association was created to promote the SIS, Le Cercle Edmée Hatinguais pour la promotion des Sections Internationales de Sèvres.
An alumna remembers: “I attended the SIS from 5ème through 3ème (7th - 9th grade). There weren’t any SIS classes at the high school yet. They were the best years of my life. Many parents worked at UNESCO. Everyone spoke English and it was already difficult to get in.” (Laurence D., SIS 1978)
Two years later classes were opened at the high school level. The German Section opened in 1979.
A legal framework starting in 1981
May 11, 1981 marked a turning point for the SIS. A decree was passed regulating the operation of international sections in France at the primary, middle school and high school levels. After 21 years of pragmatic development and experimentation, the 1981 decree provided the awaited legal framework.
Three years later the International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) was created. SIS students took the exam immediately and successfully.
Over the past few years the SIS has grown significantly both in numbers of students and available options.
- Currently over 1000 students
- Creation of integrated German/French and English/French classes at the primary level
- Creation of B groups and dual foreign language groups in the German section.
- New Anglophone classes opened in Chaville
The Sections Internationales de Sèvres are a rare example of fruitful cooperation between the French public education system and other European and foreign education systems.
An operating budget financed by tuition fees
The ambition of the SIS Chaville-Sèvres goes beyond offering a quality bilingual education. We also want to expose our students to the diversity of the world we live in through the dual perspective of the French public education system and the foreign systems which make up an integral part of their personal history.
The SIS todayThe SIS continues to function today as a non-profit organization under French law (loi de 1901). Its operating budget, financed by tuition fees, covers the salaries of the SIS teaching and administrative staff as well as operating costs. The members of the association, all parents of enrolled students, elect the governing board at the Annual General Assembly. The 13-member board is made up of volunteers elected to renewable 2-year terms of office. |
Dernière modification le 29-10-08 par
