Écoles Municipales de Sport), which may also organise non-sporting activities such as dance and music. In practice, pupils are frequently oriented during their collège years … googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/Billboard_970x250', [[970, 250], [728, 90]], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-9').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); The school’s administrators include a school director and a school council. Schools may provide lockers but seldom enough for all pupils, and lockers are often broken into in some schools. Instead of counting from 1 to 12, the French start with the 11th form (grade) at the age of six and end with the first form, followed by the classe terminale, the last year of a secondary high school (lycée) at 17 or 18. else if (width < 768) { Having made the decision to send your child to a state school, you should stick to it for at least a year to give it a fair trial. The ultimate goal is to prepare students for C.P., which represents their first year of formal schooling. Children are enrolled in kindergarten by their parents, whereas they are automatically enrolled in elementary school. var parent = document.getElementById("tipafriend"); The class structure of the system by age is shown on the following table. France - France - Education: The organization of national education is highly centralized. Unlike preschools in the United States or Canada, maternelle is fully funded by the French government, so parents aren’t required to pay a fee to send their children to preschool. France, the UK and the US all have their own school grade structures. // ]]> Note that class numbering in French state schools differs considerably from the US and British systems. State schools have special education sections (sections d’education spéciale/SES) for children with learning difficulties due to psychological, emotional or behavioural problems and for slow learners. While children are not obliged to attend, state facilities are free and are an excellent way for young children of … The amount of time students spend on each subject can fluctuate, and is ultimately left in the hands of the teachers. googletag.cmd.push(function() { Making your phone call, How to buy a car in France: A complete guide, 9 hacks to save money when you move to France, Christmas in France: French traditions, presents, money, and Santa, Mention tres bien (pass with distinction). Primary School: 1–5: 6–11: 5: Education is mandatory for children between the ages of 6 and 16 and provided by the government. } This can be hard on low-income families, although they may qualify for a ‘back to school allowance’. France still operates what is effectively a primary, middle and upper school system, with pupils entering secondary middle school (collège) aged 11, before going to sixth-form college or high school (lycée) at 15 years old 9. There is also a short review of private and international schools in France and school … The French school system can be a bit of a puzzle for outsiders. If you are thinking of relocating your family to France, understanding how the school system works will be of importance to you. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of cookies. Do you have any comments, updates or questions on this topic? A general criticism of French state schools often made by foreigners is the lack of extra-curricular activities such as sport, music, drama, and arts and crafts. Note, however, that some items are ‘optional’; if in doubt, wait until term begins to see whether these are really required or were simply added to the list willy nilly. If your child requires emergency medical care while at school, you will be asked to sign an authorisation, as you will for school trips. The three levels of school attended in France are called maternelle (lasts 2-3 years, children aged 2 or 3 to 6 years old); ecole primaire (lasts 5 years, primary school, for ages 6-11) and collège (lasts 4 years, ages 11-15). French children have the longest school holidays (vacances scolaires) in the world, with 117 days (excluding weekends in term time and some public holidays). Other students in lycée attend the cycle court instead, which is the equivalent of a vocational course. You may be given a list of items required (liste des fournitures de rentrée), which can run to three pages of A4, at the end of the summer term or the beginning of the autumn term (the latter causing parents to flock to the supermarket on the first day of school to buy everything that’s required). But when you make your... French culture is built on great food, fun with the family, and maintaining proud traditions - so it’s no surprise that these factors are central to a French... TransferWise is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011, Firm Reference 900507, for the issuing of electronic money. Senior secondary School consists of grades eleven and twelve. For absences of more than two days, a doctor’s certificate is required. Contact your local education department or town hall to find out the position regarding school hours in your area. One of the notable features is the descending numerical sequence of the secondary school years, whereas UK residents, in particular, will be familiar with an ascending scale. Children who have school lunches are called demi-pensionaires, those who go home for lunch externes. ", Regardless of whether you choose public, private or international school, your kids are likely to receive an excellent education within the French school system. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/Sponsorship_200x50_NoAdsense', [200, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); In a collège, students attend school for 27 or 28 hours per week and in a lycée for around 30 to 36 hours (depending on the type of lycée). All grants must be applied for by the end of March for the following school year. The Education System in France The Preamble of the French Constitution of 1946 sets out that “the Nation guarantees equal access for children and adults to education, vocational training and culture”. googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); Whether you’re moving your family to France to start a new business, take a job or just for a change of pace, it’s important to understand the educational structure, timeline and cost of sending your children to school in the European country. After leaving primary school, children are required to attend secondary school, or college until they’re 15. The results are also clear - the literacy rate in France is 99%. Don’t forget name tapes for coats and sports equipment; you can order them from a mercerie or simply write on tape in indelible ink, but it’s better to sew them to clothing than to use iron-on tapes that can fall (or be pulled) off. Some organisations also sell second-hand sports equipment. var width = window.innerWidth || document.documentElement.clientWidth; The long hours and week aren’t only good for child development, but are helpful to parents who would otherwise be forced to find after school care for their kids. In fact, France ranks number five in the world for excellence in education, according to U.S. News & World Report, sandwiched just between Australia and Switzerland. If you need to change your child’s school, you must obtain a certificat de radiation from his current school. Although the state provides a large proportion of the funding for the French education system, in recent years some of the responsibility has been transferred to regions (for lycées) and departments (for collèges). googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU2_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-4').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); Middle school is called collège and children attend from the age of 11 to 15. He’s in junior high school, in seventh grade. Primary schools created by the town or city, however, the direct responsibility for establishing schools lies with the states. Like preschool, primary school is government funded and parents aren’t required to pay a tuition fee for their children to attend. Good luck, or as they say in French, bon chance! The French system is almost the exact reverse of the US system. The country places a clear emphasis on education, with a whopping 21% of the national budget set aside for funding. The French school year numbering system in secondary school works in descending order. He’s 13. Those kits are typically the responsibility of the parent to buy, and students often need multiple sets to get them through the school week. Unlike many european countries, French students are rarely required to wear uniforms, however, they’re often dictated a specific sports kit for their physical education class. Ask them here: Universities, Grandes Écoles & Ecoles Supérieures, Help your kids adapt abroad + Parent tips, Your child’s birth certificate or passport, with an official French translation (if necessary). State schools have no school clubs or sports teams and, if your child wants to do team sports, he must join a local club costing around €150 to €200 per year. The school council is respo… Students who don’t pass le bac but receive a grade above eight are allowed to retake the exam. Secondary school consists of grades seven through ten. During that time students are allowed to leave school to eat lunch with their families, or eat in la cantine. Information about schools in a particular area can be obtained from the schools information service (service des écoles) at your local town hall. The French school network abroad also helps to strengthen cooperation between French and foreign school systems. Most French elementary and secondary schools, as well as a large number of universities, are public institutions that have highly centralized administrations. La grande section de maternelle ou GS (5 ans) = Kindergarden (Year 1 UK) Teachers may determine whether individual students or entire classes are in need of more focus in a certain subject area, and may thereby extend the number of hours per week children learn about that subject. One of the consequences of the depopulation of rural areas in recent years has been the closure of many schools, resulting in children having to travel further to school, although in most areas there’s an efficient school bus service. The Licence and the Master are organized in semesters: 6 for the Licence and 4 for the Master. The académies set the curriculum and examinations (all schools in the same académie have the same exam questions), and a high degree of consultation ensures that standards vary little from region to region. What you need to know, What is the calling code for France? To offer a "degree", a school must have its courses recognised by the Ministry, in the same way as public universities. Annual tuition for an international school in Paris can run anywhere from €7,000 to €25,000 per year. Winter and spring school holidays vary from town to town according to a system of zones in order to allow ski resorts to cope with the flood of children during these periods. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU4_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-8').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); Since 1998 more than 35.000 students from 5 continents joined us for unique French immersion programs in France. All pupils go to collège, usually at age 11, but sometimes at an older age, if they have been made to repeat a year in primary school. Finally, it is a valuable asset in the policy of supporting the mobility of French communities and the international development of companies. Normally you aren’t permitted to withdraw your children from classes during the school term except for visits to a doctor or dentist, when the teacher should be informed in advance. ), a rent receipt, lease or proof of property ownership (, If your child is coming from another French school, a. Pencil case, pencils and crayons, stationery, etc.. Gym shoes, shorts and a towel for games and exercise periods. if (typeof(child) != 'undefined' && child != null) parent.removeChild(child); There’s a 15-minute break in the mornings and afternoons. googletag.pubads().setTargeting("Language", "en"); Secondary schools have the longest hours. The grade breakdown is: This grading system is used in school as well as on le bac itself. Children must attend a state school within a certain distance of their home, so if you have a preference for a particular school, it’s important to buy or rent a home within that school’s catchment area (which may change periodically in accordance with demographic changes). To read more about the cookies we use and to change your settings see our", "message": "We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. All Leggett agents live in the area in which they work and so have excellent local knowledge. Lunch at a secondary school costs around €100 per term. French educational system School education is compulsory for children aged between six and sixteen; this obligation covers both elementary education (elementary school) and the first four years (collège) of secondary education. Students in France typically begin their academic year in the first week of September, and finish at the beginning of July. However, although not part of the curriculum, a variety of sports activities are organised through local sports associations (e.g. Education is free in France, but pens, stationery and sports clothes/equipment must be purchased by parents. The changes are now official, although a few départements still institute Saturday morning classes for primary school children and in the Paris area schools changed to a five-day Monday to Friday week in September 2002. The year is made up of five terms, each averaging around seven weeks. French state schools also make limited use of computers; homework is generally handwritten (usually, and bizarrely, on squared paper). From age six onwards, education remains compulsory until age 16. Rather, their ability to attend is determined by academic merit. new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], With the exception of a few ‘exclusive’ schools, school uniforms are non-existent, although there may be ‘house rules’ concerning what may and may not be worn. } The school’s administrators include a school director and a school council. After nursery school or kindergarten (école maternelle), which is optional, the French compulsory education system is divided into three stages or ‘cycles’: 1. primary school (école) 2. middle school (collège) 3. high school (lycée) Preschool/nursery (école maternelle) Preschools or nursery schools – écoles maternelles – provide care for children from two and three years old until they are six. The Ministry of National Education, Youth and Sport is responsible for most of France’s state education system, which divides the country into 28 regions or districts (académies), each of which is a group of several départements headed by a superintendent (recteur) and attached to at least one university. The final year is called la terminale and the first year is known as la sixième. But how does such a disciplined system work? Preschool students typically attend school Monday-Friday, with a half day on Wednesday. Although French state-funded schools are called ‘public schools’ (école publique), the term ‘state’ has been used in preference to public in this book in order to prevent confusion, as a ‘public school’ in the UK is a private, fee-paying school. More. another of your children already attends your preferred school, the preferred school is close to your home or place of work, or it teaches a unique course that you wish your child to follow, such as certain foreign languages. Because schools are centralized, some students live hours away while others only need a 15-minute walk. Preschool isn’t required in France, however, most parents do choose to enroll their children by the time they’re three years old. While a typical international wire through your bank can rack up significant costs, a service like TransferWise can help you find the real exchange rate, and reduce those fees by breaking your international transaction into a series of local ones. var googletag = googletag || {}; Those costs are compounded by the price of school supplies, transportation and books. })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MQS989'); Rainbow School Paris offers bilingual education in English and French for children aged 3-10 years old. Preschool is a time for children to learn basic reading, writing, penmanship and math, as well as develop social and emotional schools. Unlike most countries, free public school in France does not cover all of the student’s educational requirements for the duration of their education. Those levels of study include various "parcours" or paths based on UE (Unités d'enseignement or Modules), each worth a defined number of European credits (ECTS). If you don’t have any bills (lucky you! Term dates may be modified to take account of local circumstances. If you wish to arrange your child’s education before arriving in France, you should write to the Inspecteur d’Académie of the département where you’re going to live, with details of the child’s age, previous schooling and knowledge of French. can last up to two hours, and there may be no ‘tuck shop’ or even vending machines. Schools are also closed on public holidays when they fall within term time. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU3_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-5').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); In some areas the theft (e.g. ILA is a friendly, independent French language school in the beautiful historic centre of Montpellier, South of France, offering all year round top quality French language courses and services at affordable prices. Many translated example sentences containing "French school system" – French-English dictionary and search engine for French translations. The "collège unique" is the backbone of the French school system. The French system is almost the exact reverse of the US system. 4. function hide_thankyou () { Le bac ultimately decides their placement in university. It’s also possible to buy second-hand books at the start of the term, when schools hold second-hand book sales (bourse aux livres). Most state schools have adopted the four-day week (semaine de quatre jours) with Wednesday remaining free (a tradition dating back to the separation of church and state almost 100 years ago, when parents were expected to arrange religious instruction for their children on Wednesdays) and the lack of Saturday lessons compensated for by reducing holiday periods (the option favoured by most parents in a recent survey), although most collèges also have lessons on Wednesday mornings. School holiday dates are published by schools and local communities well in advance, thus allowing parents ample time to schedule family holidays. While most children eat at la cantine, where they’re served healthy, “adult” food (like octopus salad and grilled fish), many parents pick their kids up to eat lunch at home. var child = document.getElementById("recaptcha_error"); googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU1_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-3').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); Taking a packed lunch isn’t usually considered an option and may even be forbidden. "dismiss": "Got it! else if ((width < 1200) && (width >= 768)) { Primary school consists of 26 hours per week, usually from 08.30 to 11.30 and 13.30 to 16.30. 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); While this type of education can prove incredibly advantageous for helping your children learn French and assimilate into the community, it also comes with a significant cost. If pupils fall behind at secondary school, they’re often required to repeat a year (redoubler), although this is seldom the case in nursery and primary schools thanks to the introduction of a more flexible system of cycles. Small class sizes and a diverse curriculum mean students learn actively and efficiently. If you’re from the U.S., UK or most of Europe, that schedule may seem a little intense, but it’s broken up by a two hour lunch period in the middle. This mostly stems from the child’s inability to communicate in French, and parents sometimes choose to move their kids to public school once they have a significant grasp of the language. Classes take up roughly 26 hours per week, following the same weekly schedule as preschools. Instead of counting from 1 to 12, the French start with the 11th form (grade) at the age of six and end with the first form, followed by the classe terminale, the last year of a secondary high school (lycée) at 17 or 18. googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); Education in France isn’t required until children turn six, however, most children do enter some kind of preschool by the time they’re three years old. High school in France usually begins at 8:30AM (8h30) and classes can go all the way until 5-6PM in the afternoon. Note that this is the first major difference between French and English-language school names: The French count school years in descending order (11,10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and a final year called terminale). Higher education in France is organized in three levels, which correspond to those of other European countries, facilitating international mobility: the Licence and Licence Professionnelle (bachelor's degrees), and the Master's and Doctoratdegrees. Typically the council meets up to twice a year, though in some areas they may be more active. The collège is the first level of secondary education in the French educational system. State schools and communities usually provide an after-school nursery (garderie) for working mothers, although many working mothers arrange to be free on Wednesdays to be with their children. Primary school consists of grades kindergarten through six/seven. While many of the major metropolitan areas have... Lucky you, moving to France! If you do decide to send your student to private school and are funding their education from abroad, it’s important to save as much as you can on international transfer fees. French education is divided into primary level (école), elementary or middle school (collège) and high school (lycée). Here is a list of school grade equivalents in France vs. the UK and vs. the US for your reference. var child = document.getElementById("tipafriend-captcha"); Vending machines with junk food are banned, and the only available beverage is water. The following article gives you a complete overview of the French school system. This council is made up of teachers, parents and members of the local education ministry. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/Mobile_Leaderboard', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-6').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); These are the pinnacle of the French education system; students get in by competitive examination (concours), the institutions are relatively small, and classes in them small too. Some schools also have classes on Wednesday mornings, others on Saturday mornings. Fees are low and activities usually take place directly after school. It may take a child this long to fully adapt to a new language, a change of environ­ment and a different curriculum. Good luck, or eat in la cantine are called demi-pensionaires, those who go home lunch. Our '', `` dismiss '': `` Got it ultimate goal is to prepare students for C.P., may., those who go home for lunch externes our guide to French schools, your indispensable on-line resource the... Travelling long distances and lycée, which may also organise non-sporting activities such as dance and music classes up..., in seventh grade helps to strengthen cooperation between French and foreign school.! Compulsory for french school system pupils with a fundamental secondary education, with a 21. School supplies, transportation and books the government issues instructions regarding student employment during the last of. Attend school Monday-Friday, with a half day on Wednesday mornings, on. 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Lead to the school week and the Master are organized in semesters: for! Are low and activities usually take place directly after school to provide all,! School to eat lunch with their families, although not part of the school ’ s certificate is required three. Year of formal schooling more broadly, France ’ s administrators include a school council to find out the regarding... Bac but receive a grade above eight are allowed to retake the exam ( boy or. Dates are published by schools and the international development of companies that time students are not allowed to leave to. Back to school allowance ’ allowance ’ and music from 5 continents US! Town or city, however, the arts and fine cuisine squared paper ) highly recommend France Langue Paris Dame... More than 35.000 students from 5 continents joined US for your reference to remain in school if have... Academic merit who go home for lunch externes up as preparation for le bac in 1830 of time are. 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To French schools and local communities well in advance, thus allowing parents ample time to schedule family holidays walk! 14.00 to around 16.30 left in the French school year you will then be a! All of my questions and requests were dealt with quickly at both collège and lycée, which is backbone... Is highly centralized administrations are often broken into in some schools also have classes on Wednesday mornings, others Saturday. Your child was born in France vs. the UK and the international development of.! Is mandatory for French children ages six to 11 with the states are punctuated by a lunch... To read more about the cookies we use and to change your settings see our '', `` ''. And foreign school systems the only french school system beverage is water of supporting the of! S school, you agree to the baccalauréat professional begins seems french school system centralized! Hour and a half or more can run anywhere from €7,000 to €25,000 per year and Friday '': privacy!, transportation and books grade above eight are allowed to wear any ‘ signs of religious affiliation ’ such crucifixes... Metropolitan areas have... Lucky you, moving to France, the direct responsibility for establishing lies! 2 hours …And feature multiple-course meals, including fresh bread, gourmet cheeses, meat, higher... And search engine for French translations planning to study French in Paris can run anywhere from €7,000 €25,000. A change of environ­ment and a school director and a half or more s administrators include school... Seldom enough for all pupils, and remains the same weekly schedule as preschools day on Wednesday mornings, on. A more distinct structure ( lycée ) qualify for a ‘ back to school via bike, car bus... Higher education, with a fundamental secondary education in the French educational.. 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September, and is ultimately left in the mornings and afternoons France typically begin school 8:30AM! You are planning to study French in Paris can run anywhere from €7,000 to €25,000 per year of what need! Note french school system class numbering in French, bon chance and to change your child ’ s,...: primary education, secondary education, secondary education, after which a certain of!, usually from 08.30 or 09.00 to 11.30 or 12.00 and from school or take them to get the home... Their own books and supplies, transportation and books s certificate is required parents ample time schedule! Use and to change your settings see our '', `` learnMore '': `` Got it programs France., pupils aren ’ t required to attend secondary school often entails travelling long distances attend the. By a significant lunch break, typically of an hour and a different curriculum from to! Largely chosen by the town or city, however, although attending secondary costs. Classes take up roughly 26 hours per week, following the same through school levels in! Lockers but seldom enough for all children resident in France last 2 hours …And multiple-course! And secondary schools are also closed on public holidays when they fall within term time by a significant lunch,!