TL;DR : According to the 2025 ranking (2024 baccalaureate data), the leading high schools in Strasbourg are: 1) Le Gymnase Jean Sturm, 2) Notre-Dame, 3) Saint-Étienne, 4) La Doctrine Chrétienne, 5) Lycée international des Pontonniers. Ranking based on success/mention rates and the ministry’s IVAL indicators. Below: profiles, comparison, methodology, and orientation advice.
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Methodology & Definitions (IVAL, bac)
Most serious rankings rely on two pillars: baccalaureate results (success and mention rates) and the value-added indicators of high schools (IVAL) published by the ministry (DEPP). The IVAL allow going beyond the “raw” figures to assess the actual impact of an institution by taking into account the students’ profiles and the rate of progression from tenth grade to the baccalaureate.
- Success rate: proportion of students who obtained the baccalaureate.
- Mention rate: proportion of students who obtained an honor mention (Fairly Good, Good, Very Good).
- Access rate: percentage of students who entered tenth grade in the high school and obtained the baccalaureate there.
- IVAL: positive/neutral/negative added value depending on the gap from expected results given the students’ profiles.
Transparency: this city ranking reproduces the 2025 hierarchy from specialized press (2024 baccalaureate results) built from official ministry data (IVAL). Methodologies may vary slightly from one media to another, hence occasional discrepancies.
The top 5 high schools in Strasbourg (2025 ranking, 2024 bac)
Here is the hierarchy chosen this year for the city of Strasbourg:
- Le Gymnase Jean Sturm — Private — 100% success | 98% mentions.
- Notre-Dame — Private — 100% success | 91% mentions.
- Saint-Étienne — Private — 100% success | 92% mentions.
- La Doctrine Chrétienne — Private — 100% success | 89% mentions.
- Lycée international des Pontonniers — Public — 99% success | 86% mentions.
Note: the percentages refer to all streams concerned by the 2024 baccalaureate (general/technological) within the cited ranking.
Keep in mind: a “best high school” in a ranking is not necessarily the best for your child. Also look at the offered specialties, support, projects, languages, options (arts, European sections, international).
Quick profiles of the 5 institutions
1) Le Gymnase Jean Sturm Private
Why it performs: tradition of academic rigor, 100% success rate at the baccalaureate with honors around 98%. Wide range of specialties in the general track, supported options and languages.
For which profile? Autonomous students, attracted by selective post-bac programs (preparatory classes, schools), seeking a structured environment with multisectoral projects and options.
Points of attention: fast pace, highly sought-after places. Anticipate the admission procedure and files (grades, class council opinions, meetings).
2) Institution Notre-Dame Private
Its strengths: academic excellence with 100% success, ~91% honors, strong support towards higher education, structured educational framework.
For which profile? Students looking for a strong group dynamic and a very available teaching team, with personalized follow-up and cultural/linguistic projects.
Note: high attractiveness in general second year; watch for open days and priority criteria.
3) Episcopal High School Saint-Étienne Private
Its strengths: 100% success, ~92% honors, humanist foundation, artistic and linguistic options. Good preparation for long-term studies.
For which profile? Students motivated by demanding paths (scientific, economic, literary) and seeking regular supervision.
To watch: suitability of offered specialties with your project (e.g. advanced math, LLCE, NSI…).
4) La Doctrine Chrétienne Private
Its strengths: 100% success, ~89% honors, attentive follow-up, good middle school-high school connections, strong educational dimension.
For which profile? Students seeking a human-scale structure, a stable school climate, steady progress towards the baccalaureate.
Note: the option offer may be more targeted than in very large high schools: check specialty combinations from the second year onward.
5) Lycée international des Pontonniers Public
Its strengths: 99% success and ~86% honors at the 2024 baccalaureate, international sections, enhanced modern languages, iconic historic building in the heart of the city.
For which profile? Students with strong linguistic/international interest (Abibac, Euro sections, etc.), but also scientific and literary profiles benefiting from a high general level.
To know: procedures and tests may exist for certain sections (file, language level). Anticipate from the 9th grade.
Quick comparative table
| High School | Status | Success Rate | Honors Rate | Strengths | To Check Before Enrolling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Gymnase Jean Sturm | Private | 100 % | 98 % | Results, supervision, many specialties | Work pace, admission procedures |
| Notre-Dame | Private | 100 % | 91 % | Support, projects, languages | Availability of rare options |
| Saint-Étienne | Private | 100 % | 92 % | Demanding, continuity up to higher education | Specialties/project match |
| La Doctrine Chrétienne | Private | 100 % | 89 % | Individualized follow-up, school climate | Range of optional offerings |
| Lycée international des Pontonniers | Public | 99 % | 86 % | International sections, languages, location | Access procedures for certain sections |
These data come from the 2025 ranking based on the 2024 baccalaureate session and rely on the IVAL indicators from the ministry. Percentages may vary each year.
How to choose your high school in Strasbourg?
1) Look beyond the percentage
- Compare success, honors, admission rates, and added value (IVAL).
- Check the specialty offerings (advanced/complementary math, NSI, LLCE, HLP, SES…).
- Inspect options (arts, sports, rare languages) and orientation (Parcoursup).
2) Measure the fit with your project
- Public/private: beyond status, climate and pedagogy matter.
- International/bilingual sections: perfect for language-oriented profiles.
- Access/zoning: inquire about assignments (affelnet, priorities).
3) Anticipate deadlines
- Open days, mini-internships, interviews: solid application from 9th grade.
- Parcoursup (post-bac): favor high schools that prepare early for orientation.
- Review the orientation reports and discuss with the teams.
FAQ — Best high schools in Strasbourg
How is this top 5 established?
It is based on the 2025 ranking from specialized press, built from the 2024 baccalaureate results and the IVAL indicators published by the ministry. City rankings may change from year to year.
Are private high schools “better” than public ones?
At the top of this ranking, several private high schools show very high honors rates. However, public high schools like the Pontonniers perform very well, notably thanks to the international sections and the diversity of specialties.
What is “added value” (IVAL)?
It is a ministerial indicator that measures the gap between observed results and those expected given the students’ profiles. It complements the “raw” rates (success, honors) and sheds light on a high school’s ability to help its students progress.
Where to check my high school’s figures?
On the ministry’s website (IVAL search), on academic pages, and on ranking sites (e.g. Figaro Étudiant, L’Internaute) that aggregate bac and IVAL data.
How to maximize your chances of admission?
Anticipate: results and attendance from 9th grade, contact with the high school during open days, informed choice of specialties, and a file consistent with your orientation project.
Sources & resources
- 2025 Rankings — Le Figaro Étudiant (Strasbourg, bac 2024): city ranking + national methodology
- Ministry of Education (DEPP) — IVAL: official page • IVAL search engine • technical documentation
- Academy of Strasbourg — IVAL (principles): explanatory sheet
- International Lycée des Pontonniers — bac figures (e.g. 2024): L’Internaute sheet
- Additional rankings: Ville-Data • L’Internaute (Strasbourg) • BFMTV Alsace (regional summary)
The success/honors figures refer to the 2024 bac. Check each year for the latest publications (indicators evolve).
Conclusion
Strasbourg has a true ecosystem of excellence at the high school level, supported by a handful of very high-performing and complementary institutions. The 2025 top 5 — Jean Sturm, Notre-Dame, Saint-Étienne, Doctrine Chrétienne, and Pontonniers — reflects solid educational choices, a rich offer of specialties, and serious support towards higher education.
To make the right choice, cross-reference the indicators (success, honors, access rate, IVAL) with your project (pathway, specialties, languages). And above all, meet the teams during open days: the human “fit” remains decisive.