The start of the 2025–2026 school year saw more than 5,600 pupils across the Principality return to class this week, marking an important annual milestone for Monaco’s education system…
From primary schools to secondary institutions, the return combined tradition with change, with both students and staff adapting to new settings, regulations, and opportunities.
The most striking development was at Lycée Albert Ier, whose students are temporarily relocated to the Annonciade site of the former Charles III College while the historic Monaco-Ville building undergoes a year-long renovation. The new premises have been fully modernised, with digital classrooms, interactive whiteboards, and on-site sports facilities, improvements warmly welcomed by administrators and teachers. Principal Lor Beau Tarot stressed that despite the change of location, the school’s ethos and ambition remain intact, with a continued focus on academic excellence and student wellbeing.
Another major change this year across Monaco’s schools is the introduction of a ban on mobile phones during the school day. Students are required to store devices in sealed pouches, part of a broader effort to reduce dependency on digital screens and encourage in-person social interaction. While some pupils voiced concern over the restriction, particularly regarding communication with parents, education leaders emphasised its role in fostering focus and healthy habits.
Elsewhere in the Principality, schools welcomed pupils back in an atmosphere of excitement, curiosity, and the familiar mix of nerves and enthusiasm. From the first day of collège for younger students to the high standards of the Princess Grace Dance Academy, each institution marked the return in its own way, with cultural, academic, and sporting projects already on the horizon.
This year’s return highlights Monaco’s commitment to combining modernisation with tradition, ensuring that its schools continue to provide a supportive and forward-looking environment for all students.
Photo by Deleece Cook
