I'm facing the same problem, searching since Oct2012 for a seat for my son in french schools, both of them are full and i don't even have a priority for next year since they first accept the french nationalities, and then the qataris for voltaire , my son is in CP this year and i start thinking about changing the language and apply for the american school!
I'm sure that the commission will be ok, they are well advanced in the process, and they speak to the radio that they will open the school.
I'm not afraid by that.But I understood your situation, here the school are to much full, some companies do not accept anymore family because they can not be sure to assure a place at school.
Don't worry for you and continue to keep contact with the school. I know that they like parent that insist, keep contact, want always news about the expected registration, ... Like that they will know that you are serious and motivate, so continue your email, your call...
Peter - I already wrote to Voltaire and was told to wait for the decision by the admission commission. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Voltaire as it looks like a nice school. Besides I have no other choice and am scared that my daughter may waste the whole year because of lack of place in school, that would make me thinking twice about the move to Qatar. We'll be there in June and she'll be 5 next august. And she's fluent in french, but doesn't speak English at all...What are my options?
I'm sure that you couldn't find in bonaparte because they have priority people.
But, at 90% I'm sure that you could in voltaire. They have priority to qatari and French, but they open a second big school so they have lot of available places for now ! Try to send them an email, they will answer you !
For any english or other old school, it will really difficult to register your child, you had to do in advance, so inform you immediately, try to call few school and you will have an idea !
How old is your child ? Do he/she need to have an exam to enter in French shcool ? Do he/she speak French fluently ?
we are not french but Canadian, and I doubt they give any priorities to French Canadians. What i did is I sent a pre-admission request and I was told to wait until the commission decides. I don't know if this is the standard procedure or just a subtle way to say no? And besides I don't think I have a back-up plan as these are the only French schools in Doha, unless you can refer me to other schools? And my final question, in case nothing french works, do you think is it too late to put my daughter in an English school even though she doesn't speak English (she will be 5 years old at the school entrance)? Thanks
I forgot to precise, bonaparte have a really limited available place in kindergarten, may be they are already full, you have to contact us before, in case of you could do the registration by distance.
In other case, as voltaire will open a second school, you will have more chance to have available place.
But you have to know that in qatar the registration in school, nursery ... is really difficult because there are too much children for a little number of good school.
Just to inform you, even you choice the Voltaire or Bonaparte school, I just know the French nursery named Perles d'avenir, it's new one, but incredible fantastic !
I have my daughter there (26 months old) and she and I really love it ! If you need more details check their website : www.perlesdavenirqatar.com.
About Voltaire, i know that they will open a second school, and they are a nice french school.
If you are French you will have a big discount on it. I know that they provide a qualified french education and add with that the history/geography and arabic language to be adapted to the qatar.
Good news for Voltaire, especially that I may be interested in living in Al Waab, I heard that housing is more affordable there than in West Bay and that it's a pretty nice neighborhood too. I think I'll try for both school, I'm looking for a Grande section (GS)level so hopefully with the new campus opening soon I may be lucky to find a place.
I moved from Montreal to Doha almost 3 years ago . My oldest goes to Bonaparte and am very happy with the school . As for Voltaire they are opening a new campus in Al Waab and the main campus will remain in West Bay As for your one year old , if you want a french nursey you have Petis Pas and a newly opened one called Perles d"avenir . There's also a french website than can help you with all the questions you have www.vivreauqatar.com.
I have a 4yo daughter who will be 5 next September, I guess it's school time, so we are thinking GS (Grande Section) for her. In her daycare here in Quebec, she was in a French speaking environment, so we have no other option to continue in the French system. The Canadian school in Doha offers only an english program. I hope it works in either Voltaire or Bonaparte. I heard that Voltaire are opening a new school, any news? And how about my 1 yo daughter, where can I put her? Thx
They are both good schools. Voltaire tuition fees are much more than Bonaparte. Depending on the age of your children you may find a place in Bonaparte, usually they do not have places. I recommend you contact them directly. And if your children are transferring from a Lycée in Montréal this will help..... Good luck
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I'm facing the same problem, searching since Oct2012 for a seat for my son in french schools, both of them are full and i don't even have a priority for next year since they first accept the french nationalities, and then the qataris for voltaire , my son is in CP this year and i start thinking about changing the language and apply for the american school!
It's really frustrating !
Voltaire is still a vary new school and not very stable in terms of teaching methods organization and management
They basically lack long term vision and they are not fully approved by the relevant French authorities
They are thinking of teaching the international baccalaureate instead of the freanch one
The director was recently fired the school remained I chaos fee many weeks
Teachers are leaving without notice
New director still unable to catch up with the events
A total failure in terms of communication with parents
But may be on the very long term they could improve the French system remains quite good particularly for maths and physics
Hi Tania,
I'm French canadian as well and am facing the same dilemma. Did you get a response back from Voltaire or Bonaparte?
My children are enrolled in middle east international school, but I would prefer a French school as well. Please keep me posted.
Thanks
Kathy
I'm sure that the commission will be ok, they are well advanced in the process, and they speak to the radio that they will open the school.
I'm not afraid by that.But I understood your situation, here the school are to much full, some companies do not accept anymore family because they can not be sure to assure a place at school.
Don't worry for you and continue to keep contact with the school. I know that they like parent that insist, keep contact, want always news about the expected registration, ... Like that they will know that you are serious and motivate, so continue your email, your call...
Good luck
Peter - I already wrote to Voltaire and was told to wait for the decision by the admission commission. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Voltaire as it looks like a nice school. Besides I have no other choice and am scared that my daughter may waste the whole year because of lack of place in school, that would make me thinking twice about the move to Qatar. We'll be there in June and she'll be 5 next august. And she's fluent in french, but doesn't speak English at all...What are my options?
Dono,
I'm sure that you couldn't find in bonaparte because they have priority people.
But, at 90% I'm sure that you could in voltaire. They have priority to qatari and French, but they open a second big school so they have lot of available places for now ! Try to send them an email, they will answer you !
For any english or other old school, it will really difficult to register your child, you had to do in advance, so inform you immediately, try to call few school and you will have an idea !
How old is your child ? Do he/she need to have an exam to enter in French shcool ? Do he/she speak French fluently ?
Good luck
we are not french but Canadian, and I doubt they give any priorities to French Canadians. What i did is I sent a pre-admission request and I was told to wait until the commission decides. I don't know if this is the standard procedure or just a subtle way to say no? And besides I don't think I have a back-up plan as these are the only French schools in Doha, unless you can refer me to other schools? And my final question, in case nothing french works, do you think is it too late to put my daughter in an English school even though she doesn't speak English (she will be 5 years old at the school entrance)? Thanks
I forgot to precise, bonaparte have a really limited available place in kindergarten, may be they are already full, you have to contact us before, in case of you could do the registration by distance.
In other case, as voltaire will open a second school, you will have more chance to have available place.
But you have to know that in qatar the registration in school, nursery ... is really difficult because there are too much children for a little number of good school.
So do it as soon as possible !!!
Good luck
Just to inform you, even you choice the Voltaire or Bonaparte school, I just know the French nursery named Perles d'avenir, it's new one, but incredible fantastic !
I have my daughter there (26 months old) and she and I really love it ! If you need more details check their website : www.perlesdavenirqatar.com.
About Voltaire, i know that they will open a second school, and they are a nice french school.
If you are French you will have a big discount on it. I know that they provide a qualified french education and add with that the history/geography and arabic language to be adapted to the qatar.
I think that an interesting addition !
Good luck to your choice.
Hi Tania,
Good news for Voltaire, especially that I may be interested in living in Al Waab, I heard that housing is more affordable there than in West Bay and that it's a pretty nice neighborhood too. I think I'll try for both school, I'm looking for a Grande section (GS)level so hopefully with the new campus opening soon I may be lucky to find a place.
Hi,
I moved from Montreal to Doha almost 3 years ago . My oldest goes to Bonaparte and am very happy with the school . As for Voltaire they are opening a new campus in Al Waab and the main campus will remain in West Bay As for your one year old , if you want a french nursey you have Petis Pas and a newly opened one called Perles d"avenir . There's also a french website than can help you with all the questions you have www.vivreauqatar.com.
Bonne chance
Tania
I have a 4yo daughter who will be 5 next September, I guess it's school time, so we are thinking GS (Grande Section) for her. In her daycare here in Quebec, she was in a French speaking environment, so we have no other option to continue in the French system. The Canadian school in Doha offers only an english program. I hope it works in either Voltaire or Bonaparte. I heard that Voltaire are opening a new school, any news? And how about my 1 yo daughter, where can I put her? Thx
They are both good schools. Voltaire tuition fees are much more than Bonaparte. Depending on the age of your children you may find a place in Bonaparte, usually they do not have places. I recommend you contact them directly. And if your children are transferring from a Lycée in Montréal this will help..... Good luck