The Paris American Academy provides a world-class education to international students in the domains of fashion, interior design, fine arts, and creative writing. The philosophy of the school centers on stimulating creativity and imagination, guiding the student towards their own personal creative visions while teaching them the practical knowledge and skills needed in the professional world.

Centered in the famous Paris Latin Quarter, less than a mile from Notre-Dame cathedral and a few blocks from the Luxembourg Gardens, PAA draws upon Paris’s vibrant cultural and artistic heritage, stretching its campus across the city’s museums, exhibits, cafes and fashion houses. Guided visits to fashion, interior design, and art exhibitions are included in the curriculum. Students in the fashion program also benefit from the Paris professional fair calendar, and they live the Paris backstage experience with Paris Fashion Week, Pret-a-Porter, Who’s next, Premiere Vision, and Maison et Objets.

Classes are mainly held in the Pavillon du Val de Grâce, a 17th century, historically classified building. Recently renovated, this six level edifice also serves as the Academy Art Gallery. Other studio space and administration offices are located in adjacent buildings.

The Paris American Academy is registered by the Académie de Paris, as a private institution of higher learning under the 12 July 1875 jurisdiction.

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The
Students

The Academy welcomes participants regardless of age, race, nationality, religion or political persuasion. Students benefit from a personalized learning environment, ensured by small class numbers and a student-instructor ratio of 1:5. This ensures a flexibility of instruction that often isn’t possible at large institutions.

PAA students and alumni represent a range of more than 35 nationalities, providing an international, culturally rich learning environment in the heart of one of the most international cities in Europe.

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Why study
with us?

Bilingual institution and instruction

All classes at PAA are taught in English, preparing students to work internationally and to engage with the English vocabulary used in their different fields.

International environment

The range of nationalities of our students allows for a diverse range of perspectives and experiences, enriching the classroom environment and preparing students to work creatively in an international setting.

Location: Center of Paris, Heart of the famous Latin Quarter

The Paris American Academy is situated in the famous Latin Quarter, the historic home of many painters, designers, writers, and other artists over the years. The school is situated less than a mile from the Notre Dame cathedral, and only a few blocks from the Luxembourg Gardens.

World-class instruction in each discipline, with an international focus

The faculty at PAA are working professionals with years of experience in their respective fields, able to provide hands-on instruction in the fashion, interior design, fine arts, and writing industries.

Small classes, with a small teacher / student ratio

Students benefit from a personalized learning environment, ensured by small class numbers and a student-instructor ratio of 1:5. This ensures a flexibility of instruction that often isn’t possible at large institutions.

Access to the museums, exhibitions, fashion shows, and literary scene of Paris – the city becomes the classroom

Guided visits to fashion, interior design, and art exhibitions are included in the curriculum. Students draw their inspiration from the city streets – its architecture and its people.

The Faculty

The Paris American Academy has formed a unique teaching staff comprised of academics, skilled professionals, and invited guest artists, thus providing students with a solid practical approach to professional requirements.

Elliott
Holt

Elliott Holt is the author of the novel You Are One of Them, which was a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice and a finalist for the NBCC’s John Leonard Award for a first book. Her essays and short fiction have appeared in the New York Times, Time, Slate, Virginia Quarterly Review, and elsewhere, and she is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize, fellowships from Yaddo and the MacDowell Colony, and the 2015 Ellen Levine Award for her novel-in-progress. @elliottholt

Major
Jackson

Major Jackson is the author of four collections of poetry, most recently Roll Deep, hailed in the New York Times Book Review as “a remixed odyssey.” His other volumes include Holding CompanyHoops, and Leaving Saturn. Jackson has published poems, essays, and book reviews in American Poetry ReviewCallalooThe New YorkerThe Paris ReviewPloughsharesPoetry, Tin House, and in several volumes of Best American Poetry. He is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Pushcart Prize, and the National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, among other honors. Major Jackson is the Richard A. Dennis Green & Gold Professor and University Distinguished Professor at the University of Vermont. He serves as the Poetry Editor of The Harvard Review.