School cycles in French Polynesia
The Polynesian education system mirrors the French structure and is managed by the DGEE (Polynesian Education Authority). Diplomas (brevet, baccalauréat) are identical to those in mainland France.
Main schools in Tahiti
Lycée de Taravao
Multi-stream high school in the peninsula. General, technical and vocational tracks. Boarding available for students from the outer islands.
Lycée Paul-Gauguin (Papeete)
Main academic high school in Tahiti. Excellence tracks, including CPGE (preparatory classes for French grandes écoles).
Lycée Iarii Temauri (Pirae)
Technical and vocational education. BTS, vocational bac in tourism, hospitality and business.
Collège-Lycée Saint-Joseph (Papeete)
Well-regarded Catholic school. High bac pass rate. High demand — early pre-registration strongly advised.
École La Mennais (Papeete)
Catholic primary and middle school. Known for academic rigour. Small class sizes.
Collège Protestant de Papara
Protestant mission school. Welcomes pupils of all faiths. Boarding for island students.
University of French Polynesia (UPF)
Campus in Punaauia (Tahiti). Degrees in law, economics, humanities, sciences, languages. ~3,000 students.
CNED
France's National Centre for Distance Learning is an option for families on remote islands or those preferring a mainland French curriculum.
Public vs private school comparison
| Criteria | Public (DGEE) | Private Catholic | Private Protestant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Free | 5,000–15,000 XPF/month | 4,000–12,000 XPF/month |
| Uniform | Not required | Mandatory | Usually required |
| Bac pass rate | ~75–82% | ~88–93% | ~82–88% |
| Tahitian taught | Yes (integrated) | Option | Option |
| Boarding | Some high schools | Some schools | Yes (several) |
| Prépa classes (CPGE) | Paul-Gauguin only | No | No |
| Place availability | Good (catchment area) | Waitlists common | Varies by school |
Annual schooling costs — budget overview
| Item | Public school | Private school |
|---|---|---|
| Registration / tuition | 0 XPF | 50,000 – 180,000 XPF/year |
| School supplies | 15,000 – 30,000 XPF | 20,000 – 40,000 XPF |
| School canteen | 5,000 – 8,000 XPF/month | 6,000 – 10,000 XPF/month |
| School transport | Varies (free in some communes) | Varies |
| Extracurricular activities | 5,000 – 15,000 XPF/year | 10,000 – 25,000 XPF/year |
| Uniform | Not needed | 10,000 – 20,000 XPF (one-off) |
| Estimated annual total | 30,000 – 80,000 XPF | 100,000 – 280,000 XPF |
Schooling on the outer islands
Full schooling through high school
Moorea has its own lycée (Lycée de Moorea in Afareaitu). Kindergartens and primary schools across the island. For university, students commute by ferry (30 min) or stay in Tahiti.
Middle school on-island, limited high school
A collège is available in Bora Bora. For specific lycée tracks, students often go to Tahiti in boarding. Primary schools in main villages.
Boarding school in Nuku Hiva or Tahiti
Primary schools in main valleys. Collèges in Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa. For high school, students move to Tahiti as boarders — a difficult reality for families.
Primary + CNED distance learning
Primary schools on main atolls. Beyond that, CNED or boarding in Papeete. Some remote atolls use satellite-based teaching.
How to enrol your child in school
Get the enrolment certificate (public)
Go to your commune's town hall (mairie) with proof of address. The town hall will tell you the catchment school and issue an enrolment certificate.
Contact the school directly
Make an appointment with the head teacher or school office. For private schools: contact them directly, often the year before — waiting lists are long at popular schools.
Gather the required documents
Family booklet or birth certificate, health record with up-to-date mandatory vaccinations (DTP, MMR, Hepatitis B…), proof of address and previous school reports.
Check mandatory vaccinations
French Polynesia requires the same mandatory vaccinations as France for school admission. Some tropical diseases may require additional vaccines — see a doctor on arrival.
Finalise and prepare for the start of term
Collect the school supply list (given by the school in July). Buy a uniform if required. The school year starts in late July or early August in French Polynesia.
Higher education in French Polynesia
| Institution | Degrees offered | Main fields |
|---|---|---|
| UPF (Punaauia) | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | Law, Economics, Languages, Humanities, Sciences, Sports |
| IUT de Polynésie | BUT (2–3 yr tech degree) | Management, IT, Business |
| BTS (vocational, lycées) | BTS (2-yr post-bac) | Tourism, Hospitality, Business, Maintenance |
| ENSP (nursing/midwifery) | State diploma | Nurse, Midwife, Healthcare assistant |
| CNAM (local branch) | Professional licences, Masters | Continuing education, career change |
| Mainland France | All fields | Medicine, Law, Grandes Écoles, Arts |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Polynesian school system the same as in France?
The system mirrors the French model (same cycles, same baccalaureate) but is run by the DGEE with some autonomy. Curricula include local specifics: Tahitian language, Polynesian culture and Pacific history.
Are there international schools in French Polynesia?
There are no fully international schools (IB, American curriculum) in Tahiti. Some private schools offer quality education. For a fully international curriculum, families typically use CNED distance learning or consider another country.
Is schooling free in French Polynesia?
Public education is free from kindergarten through high school. Additional costs: supplies (15,000–30,000 XPF/year), canteen (5,000–8,000 XPF/month), transport and extracurricular activities.
Can my child learn Tahitian at school?
Yes. Tahitian (reo tahiti) is taught in Polynesian public schools from kindergarten, as an option or integrated depending on the school. French-Tahitian bilingual classes exist in several primary schools across Tahiti and the outer islands.
How do I enrol my child in school in French Polynesia?
For public schools: go to your commune's town hall for an enrolment certificate, then contact the school. Documents: birth certificate, health record with vaccinations, proof of address and previous school reports. For private schools: contact them directly well in advance.
Can you go to university in French Polynesia?
Yes. The UPF in Punaauia offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in law, economics, humanities and sciences. For programmes not available at UPF, students often study in mainland France, typically Bordeaux or Paris.
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