Students at Prep'art, a prestigious preparatory school specializing in competitive entrance exams for France's top art, design, and cinema schools, are facing an uncertain future after their institution underwent judicial liquidation and was unexpectedly acquired by a new owner. The crisis has left students scrambling for alternatives as they discover their programs may no longer exist under the new management.

"If I had known, I would have applied to university instead," lamented Clara, a cinema student at Prep'art. As she prepared for the new academic year, the young woman was shocked to learn that her school had been sold following bankruptcy proceedings. The most troubling aspect for Clara is that the cinema program she's enrolled in has never been offered by the new owner, the Art School of Montreuil. While the new proprietor claims they can relaunch an educational program within weeks, students remain deeply skeptical.

The ordeal began for Prep'art students at the end of August when rumors began circulating about the school's financial troubles. "Word was going around in our class that the school had gone bankrupt, but no one had officially informed us," explained Jules, another second-year cinema student. Concerned students contacted the administration, which finally communicated with them for the first time on September 9th.

Director Julie Berthelon confirmed the judicial liquidation but attempted to reassure students and parents. She announced that a buyer, Mr. Frézal, one of Prep'art's founders, had made an acquisition offer. "Only the judge's signature is missing, which should happen tomorrow. As soon as it's done, you'll receive my confirmation by email," she wrote optimistically. Berthelon promised that "the teaching staff will remain the same, and the educational program will continue unchanged."

Students initially felt relieved, but their hopes were completely dashed just two days later. The court ultimately rejected Mr. Frézal's offer in favor of another bid submitted by the director of the Art School of Montreuil. The former school administration was devastated by this turn of events.

"Our acquisition offer following Prep'art's judicial liquidation was not accepted," Julie Berthelon wrote in an email sent on September 11th to parents and enrolled students. "I am devastated that I asked you to trust us, and I'm heartbroken to put you in this situation in which I personally invested myself." Speaking to Le Figaro Étudiant, the former director struggled to hold back tears. "Obviously, no member of the administrative team was retained. They were able to buy the Prep'art name, which is a reference brand, and they'll try to recruit some of our teachers, but I don't see how they could succeed in recreating the school's DNA, which was above all family-oriented and artisanal."

In the following days, students found themselves passed from one contact person to another, receiving a flood of contradictory information. The former administration initially told them on September 11th that only art and design students would be able to continue their studies under the new owner, specifying that "neither the premises nor the staff" had been retained. However, the very next day, all Paris-based students were contacted by the new team.

The new management indicated that art and design students would benefit from their "renowned artist-teachers who are graduates of prestigious public art schools." They also claimed that "certain Prep'art teachers will be retained, particularly those from the cinema section." Surprised by this contradiction, students reached out to their teachers, who denied these claims. "They clearly told us on a WhatsApp group chat that they would refuse to join the new program," Clara explained.

When contacted, the management of Montreuil workshops attempted to provide reassurance. "The former administration spread a lot of false information, but we are indeed taking over all the programs in art, design, and cinema," insisted Pierre Doize, Prep'art's new director. "We've committed to taking over the school and continuing with all the professors who are willing to follow us." However, during the phone interview, the executive refused to elaborate on the composition of his new team.

This lack of clarity has left parents extremely frustrated and worried. "Most of these students are preparing for entrance exams to FEMIS or the Louis-Lumière School, which are extremely difficult competitions," explained one concerned parent. "Prep'art had a reputation for providing very solid preparation, but if students have to take these exams without serious teachers, they're sure to face disaster."

These concerns are amplified by the substantial tuition costs that remain unchanged. "The fees haven't changed with the takeover; they're still 7,500 euros per year," continued another parent. "In this context, we'd like to know if students will receive solid training before committing ourselves financially."

Meanwhile, a group of teachers who refused to join the new school decided to create their own institution to continue teaching their students. In an email addressed to all students, these educators outlined the foundation of what would become their new preparatory program. "The association has been created. We are in the process of finalizing administrative procedures with the education authority to obtain official validation for the school's creation," stated Jérôme Cognet, Prep'art's former academic director. "Our objective remains unchanged: to prepare our future students to succeed in entrance competitions for French and foreign public cinema schools." This new structure, which already has secured premises, is expected to offer students a start date "between October 6th and 12th."

Faced with this multitude of announcements and conflicting information, uncertainty continues to plague students. Some, like Clara, would have preferred to apply to other programs last June rather than endure this disappointing start to the academic year. Now, the young woman feels trapped by circumstances beyond her control. "Now that Parcoursup applications have passed, I went to Sorbonne-Nouvelle to submit my application in person, but I have little hope of being accepted," the student sighed. The names in this article have been changed to protect student privacy.