La Maison d'Éducation de la Légion d'Honneur
A Bridge Between The Past and The Present
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The boarding school is situated within the confines of an old abbey near the renowned Basilique de Saint-Denis where many French monarchs find their eternal rest. What makes it unique is that it is a girls-only school. For those not interested in religion, let's avoid jumping to conclusions and assuming it is a religious school. On the contrary, it is a school that adheres to the principles of laicity, a cornerstone of the education system in France. Established in 1805 by Napoleon Bonaparte, known as Napoleon I, the school was initially established for the daughters and granddaughters of those who received the Legion of Honor, particularly the soldiers who died on the battlefield; it was subsequently extended to include civilians as well.
Bonapart established the Legion of Honor to celebrate individuals who demonstrated exceptional merit through their actions, independent of any inherited privilege. This principle embodies the French Revolution's revolutionary spirit, which ended the aristocracy's rule and emphasized the recognition of personal achievement over birthright. By honoring merit above social or professional status, the Legion of Honor creates an inclusive community where men and women are treated equally and united by their outstanding contributions.
The Legion of Honor has evolved as it recognizes individuals who have contributed to France in various fields other than military service, including culture, science, arts, and humanitarian work. The order is divided into five classes: Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer, and Grand Cross. The President of the French Republic confers membership upon recommendation by the government. Some well-known people who received the Legion of Honor are Simone Veil, Charlie Chaplin, and J.K Rowling, the author of Harry Potter.
This tradition continues, forming a cornerstone of the institution's admission criteria. Yet, beyond its commemorative function, the school has steadfastly upheld the imperative of advancing female empowerment through education, a legacy that traces back to the 17th century with the influential literary salons of the Hôtel de Rambouillet hosted by Catherine de Vivonne. By establishing this only female school, Napoleon Bonapart recognized the critical role of educating women and their societal impacts in shaping the future of France.
Other than being the descendent of an individual who received the Legion of Honor, there are other precise criteria to enter this school; they take into consideration the motivation of the students, their academic history, and most importantly, they provide a fair chance for those students who come from lower socio-economic families. Another critical aspect of their criteria is that even the daughters of foreign recipients of Legion of Honor can have the chance to enroll in this school, which reflects the inclusion and diversity of this institution.
The goal of this school is not just to honor the daughters and the granddaughters of the recipients of a Legion of Honor but also to invest in these young girls and create opportunities for them to improve their education. This improvement does not occur by chance or luck of heredity but through a rigorous and disciplined education program. These students have a uniform, a scheduled bedtime, a scheduled wake-up time, and a specific time for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Being part of this boarding school means the students and the parents must be ready to stay apart throughout the week. It implies that sacrifices happen. Female professionals are the heads of the school, and thus, its core is to invest in these young females as the power of the future.
The final goal for this boarding school is to prepare the students to graduate high school. To graduate high school in France, you must pass the baccalaureate, a national exam historically implemented by.... guess again, who? Napolean Bonapart! This exam is mandatory in the last year of high school; it is comprehensive and rigorous. The percentage of national success in this exam in France is 75%. I invite you again to speculate on the success of this boarding school. You might have guessed it right; it is 100% from 2019 through 2023; thus, all 500 of the students that this school hosts pass this exam, which then allows them to register in very prestigious universities in the country. One of the modern, well-known graduates of MELH is Sophie Adenot, who advanced in the air space field to become lieutenant colonel; this is an achievement, given that males dominate this domain. She was recently chosen to join the European Astronaut Corps.
As we journey through the corridors of this esteemed boarding school, we witness the echoes of history and the resounding promise of a brighter future shaped by its graduates' remarkable achievements. In a world where opportunities for women continue to expand, La Maison d'Éducation de la Légion d'Honneur stands as a beacon of female empowerment, heritage, and academic excellence in the northern suburb of Paris.
