PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
In France, school is compulsory from six to sixteen years old. From nursery school to higher education, families have the option of sending their children to free and coeducational public schools, or to pay for private ones.
The French school system
If you choose a state-run school for your child, you must choose one in your neighborhood. The local city hall (mairie) will tell you what your options are.
From the age of 2 or 3 children can attend the local kindergarten (maternelle), which is state run and administered by the local authorities.
Comparison of the educational system in France and in the U.S.
|
In France
|
In the U.S.
|
| 2-3 yrs old Maternelle (petite section) |
2-3 yrs old Preschool (Daycare) |
| 3-4 yrs old Maternelle (petite section) |
3-4 yrs old Preschool (Daycare) |
| 4-5 yrs old Maternelle (moyenne section) |
4-5 yrs old Preschool |
| 5-6 yrs old Maternelle (grande section) |
5-6 yrs old Kindergarten |
|
Ecole primaire
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Elementary school
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| 6-7 yrs old Onzième (CP) |
6-7 yrs old 1st grade |
| 7-8 yrs old Dixième (CE1) |
7-8 yrs old 2nd grade |
| 8-9 yrs old Neuvième (CE2) |
8-9 yrs old 3rd grade |
| 9-10 yrs old Huitième (CM1) |
9-10 yrs old 4th grade |
| 10-11 yrs old Septième (CM2) |
10-11 yrs old 5th grade |
|
Collège
|
Junior High School
|
| 11-12 yrs old Sizième |
11-12 yrs old 6th grade |
| 12-13 yrs old Cinquième |
12-13 yrs old 7th grade |
| 13-14 yrs old Quatrième |
13-14 yrs old 8th grade |
| 14-15 yrs old Troisième |
High school
|
|
Lycée
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14-15 yrs old 9th grade |
| 15-16 yrs old Seconde |
15-16 yrs old 10th grade |
| 16-17 yrs old Première |
16-17 yrs old 11th grade |
| 17-18 yrs old Terminale |
17-18 yrs old 12th grade |
At 15 or 16 the more academic children go to the "lycée" to prepare for the "baccalauréat" (commonly called the bac). Less academically inclined students attend a vocational/technical school or get practical training.
The bac is the high school diploma taken at 18 or 19 which guarantees entry into university.
How to register your child to a public school? Contact the Service des Ecoles at the City Hall (mairie) or the school directly. When you apply to a school you must bring along your passport, your child’s birth certificate, a recent electricity bill (EDF/GDF), and proof of your child’s immunizations. Applications should be made in the Spring before the Fall Term.
Private schools Private schools are either subsidized by the government or not. Sponsored schools therefore have much lower tuition fees than non- sponsored ones. You should apply as soon as possible.
American Schools in France Please refer to the website of the American Embassy in Paris for a listing of American schools in France.
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