St. Barthelemy French Immersion for 11 year old

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smiller

New Member

• Jun 22, 2020

• #1

Does anyone have information or experience on taking 6 months - 1 year living in St. Barths, specifically to educate their children? I'm researching the idea of moving to St. Barths for a year so that our son can take a year in french immersion school. We are US citizens. I know people who have done this in Costa Rica for Spanish. I have spoken to my son in french since he was 11 months old, but sadly let it lapse when he started 2nd grade here in US. I'd like to jumpstart again. Thank you in advance for any information or places of contact to investigate.

 

andynap

Senior Insider

• Jun 22, 2020

• #2

There are restrictions on staying on the island long term for U.S. Citizens. Check it out first.

 

JEK

Senior Insider

• Jun 22, 2020

• #3

andynap said:

There are restrictions on staying on the island long term for U.S. Citizens. Check it out first.

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I've heard tell of non-EU people who have stayed on the island for months and months

 

elgreaux

Senior Insider

• Jun 22, 2020

• #4

Yes but to put a child in school you might have to prove residency, so I'd head to your closest French Embassy or Consulate and apply for a long-term visa.
And yes there are tourists who stay longer, but one never knows if the gov't or gendarmes will start asking questions so if I had kids in school, I'd do it the correct way...
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/web/france-visas/long-stay-visa

do you have a place to live already secured?

 

andynap

Senior Insider

• Jun 22, 2020

• #5

JEK said:

I've heard tell of non-EU people who have stayed on the island for months and months

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True but I think they were stuck there

 

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tcpnyc

SBH Member

• Jun 24, 2020

• #6

we are actually moving down with an 9 and 11 yo in august...DM me as we have done all the school stuff

 

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smiller

New Member

• Jun 25, 2020

• #7

Thanks for your input, Andy. I'm checking it out

 

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smiller

New Member

• Jun 25, 2020

• #8

Thanks JEK... hope?

 

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smiller

New Member

• Jun 25, 2020

• #9

Thank you elgreaux. This is helpful information and I've started to research. Will start the visa process and I am now checking on places to live. This seems a little more challenging.

 

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PierreRéussite

New Member

• Jul 29, 2020

• #10

If the student is registered with an online teaching program, he can come and study at Réussite in Gustavia from Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and be immersed in a French speaking environment, while following his American curriculum.

 

DaddyLeCool

SBH Insider

• Jul 30, 2020

• #11

May I ask how old is your son ? I had been living in SBH for several years with 3 little girls, attending school there. I might have some advices about what would certainly a great and friendly experience ... if you can secure an official and legal stay there.

 

DaddyLeCool

SBH Insider

• Jul 30, 2020

• #12

May I ask how old is your son ? I had been living in SBH for several years with 3 little girls, attending school there. I might have some advices about what would certainly a great and friendly experience ... if you can secure an official and legal stay there.

 

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brianmsailing

SBH Member

• Jul 30, 2020

• #13

I would like to know more about this option. My family will be relocating October - December to the island to our family home. Our children are 3,5,7. Oldest are in grade K and 2nd.

Brian