Schools in Athens, Disctrict of Attica, Greece (2)

(con'nued from previous)
If you have children, small or otherwise...
...that would be private schools.

The redoubtable Athens College seems to be the indisputable king of privately managed educational institutions in Greece and, originally, a boys' school. Athens College now also accepts girls. There are two educational institutions, created mostly in response to some neo-fascist request from Greece's bureaucracy some 10 years ago. "AC" refers to both.

My one-liner: AC is the school for the children of influential people. AC accepts offspring that promises to be influential.

It is as simple as that.
It does not really matter if you are poor or rich or in-between, if you can pay or not the tuition fees. Anyway, 400 children at AC (out of 3000?) have a scholarship.
It only matters that you are influential or that your child promises the be distinctive (note: not necessarily exceptional, but distinctive).

p. s. The AC grounds and facilities are nothing short of phenomenal, certainly the best by far I've seen both in Athens and Paris. Possibly envied worldwide. The secondary schools classes held in what used to be the boarding houses, are not so impressive. Years ago, the AC facilities were in a different planet -- not just a different league -- compared to the rest on offer. Fortunately, others are catching up somewhat.

Unless you are an influential alumnus, or very dangerous to the schools survival (a Greek politician, for example;) chances of getting your child at AC are slim, and not worth the investment in time. Oh, yes, AC is as impressive as it is expensive. The most expensive probably -- closely followed or surpassed by St. CAtherine's below.

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St. Catherine's British Embassy School. Rumour has it, this school has one of the best, if not the best, academic standards. I have a soft spot; I was a British Embassy School student in my time. Different city.
The curriculum, the creativity involved in its conception and the thoroughness with which it is followed: very good.
One-liner: "we are a distinctive island in the midst of everyone" The school's culture sports an insular exclusivity. Some children will feel left out, despite efforts by the teaching staff. Some children will never feel "one of us".
Best thing to be, English; second best, top performer and tall if male, or attractive if female. Reportedly, the third best thing to be is Australian; the attraction of the exotic? (Best of all, of course, is still wealthy and generous.)

The academic achievement of its graduates is indisputable and, the school is probably well positioned in the listings of the world's top secondary schools. Teaching of Greek is weak compared to the rest. It is also a has a reasonable student body with an accordingly large teaching body. If you cannot pay, your child will be kicked out without any ado, so check what is under the floor-boards (presumably your banker no longer exists or is in extinction mode). If your child cannot cope with the curriculum and you can pay through your nose, the child will be given many chances to make it. If the child does make it, but you cannot pay it -- your child will be kicked out, politely.

The grounds are decent, adequate and (surprisingly) maintained. The extracurricular activities, sometimes varying from one year to the other, are typically interesting and educational, if not particularly exciting.
Reportedly (by its admin staff) there is a depressingly long waiting list for 1st formers. If you are impressively rich or drink with whoever is UK ambassador to Greece, or are yourself the ambassador, or part of HRM's or Ozz's dip missions to Greece, the waiting list commendably disappears. Purportedly, Canadians are also accepted -- but never find any chairs left for their children. Fortunately, some Canadians have some proximity to the French language which opens up more possibilities for their offspring.


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The oldest privately held and operated school in Greece is French, Ecole Jeanne d'Arc. 150 years old, as touted on the site. J d'A gets the gold medal for
longevity and consistency. It follows the french curriculum with additions of couleur locale, and strongly supported but quietly encouraged creativity.

One-liner: J d'A is a scholastic institution of modern Greece. The bacs (baccalauréats) it delivers are a by-product of the institution's operation.

It is neither well-known nor unknown. Neiother discussed nor shunned. In fine, its culture wills it to be friendly and heart-warming; the soeurs run the school and they adhere to their religious discipline. Accordingly they expect others to adhere to their own discipline, whether identical or not. Within this frame of self-discipline, freedom is encouraged.

The motto is, this is a good school for good students, but can cater to and support and deal with exceptional students as well. It is probably true, with a slight predominance in the literary, rather than tech, subjects.