What is a center of excellence?

The label site d’excellence is delivered by the French National Education Ministry as part of the Espoir Banlieues (”Hope for the Suburbs”) plan, and it is allocated to high schools located in priority districts. To fight an often negative image, these schools are turning towards partnerships that enable the most gifted students to integrate excellent schools, including in artistic and cultural disciplines.

There are 30 high schools of this type across France.