The French schooling system is also quite rigorous, particularly final exams. Pupils are admitted to collège from primary school at the age of 11 years. 18% of all students in France attend private institutions. However, bear in mind that your child will take much longer to become fluent in French, make French friends, and integrate into French society. But in France, the land of Pascal, Voltaire and Descartes, philosophy is an integral part of the national school curriculum, and a compulsory subject for the 650,000 students ages 17 and 18 who every year sit the bac. School in France During the elementary years, French students learn the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. 10. The majority of schools in France are state schools. You need to register by June of the year you want your child to start primary school (or earlier if you want to go to a school out of the local area), and by the end of the spring term for collège. Schools are strictly secular (expect faith schools) so there won’t be any nativity plays, 11. Most international and bilingual schools come into this category and fees can be expensive. The average rates for tuition vary from about 150 EUR per term to 900 EUR per term. Recipe: Festive Chestnut Velouté with Porcini, 7 France-themed books to buy for Francophiles this Christmas, Why Tarn-et-Garonne makes for a perfect family escape. Elementary school (enseignement élémentaire) begins at age 6 and lasts for 5 years. Wedn… It is now placed 25 out of 65 countries, with 43 percent of students having di… This is usually followed by up to three years in lycée. They usually teach in English and French but may also teach in German or Spanish depending on demand. To enroll your child into French education there is an array of schools in France to consider: state schools, private schools, or international schools. These private schools are free to set their own curriculum and they often offer a wider choice of academic subjects, as well as classes in art, culture, and sport (which state schools do not). You may change your settings at any time. The Council of International Schools has a list of CIS member and accredited international schools in France. The average tuition costs for attending a college in France will vary according to the school that you wish to attend, the courses that you are taking, whether you are a resident of the EU or a foreign student and other information. The decision is made by the local authorities on a proposal … Check the withdrawal conditions too – you usually have to give a term’s notice if your child leaves the school before the end of the year. Fees vary depending on the school but as an example, 2015/16 basic annual tuition fees for pupils taking A Levels at an international school in Bordeaux are €15,400. This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. In addition to the criteria you would normally apply to choosing your child’s school in your home country, you might want to find out: Have a cookie There may be other charges on top, such as registration fees and lunches. The younger the child, the easier it tends to be. Do I need a separate French will to cover my property in France and how do I go about it? High School Abroad; Language Schools; Tours & Trips; Online Programs. Class sizes, however, can be large, with one teacher for 30 students or more. You can of course change your mind and withdraw your consent at any time, by returning to this site after clearing the cookies on your computer or device. There are more than 3,500 public and private institutes of higher education in France: 72 universities, 25 multi-institute campuses, 271 Doctoral schools, 227 engineering schools authorised to award the title of engineer, 220 business and management schools, 45 post-secondary public schools of art, 22 schools of architecture and 3,000 private schools and institutes. Your child must keep up with lessons and maintain at least a 50% mark average in a language they’re unfamiliar with. They do, however, have a day off from school mid-week, providing an opportunity to practise sport or take on other hobbies. Some schools also have classes on Wednesday mornings, others on Saturday mornings. Le diplôme national du brevet (simply referred to as le brevet) is the first diploma students are required to complete at the end of collège. You can also contact ELSA, the Paris-based English Language School Association for international and bilingual schools in France. It was formed in April 2010 by five prominent French institutions: the École Normale Supérieure, the Collège de France, the Paris Observatory, Chimie ParisTech and … Ask to look at a typical timetable to see the academic/non-academic ratio. International schools are available to the international community, although French pupils can also attend. However, in recent years some bemoan a perceived slip in French education, and according to the latest OECD/PISA world rankings (2012), France dropped three places for educational standards for 15 year olds. There are also other schools that teach solely in English. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. There are four stages of education: école maternelle (daycare and kindergarten), écoleprimaire (primary school, also known as an elementary school in some countries), collège (middle school), and lycée (secondary school). To apply, contact the school for enrolment requirements and procedures. What languages are obligatory or optional? These schools are sous contrat d’association schools. However, children in France are only obligated to attend primary school, middle school, and secondary/high school. In France, education is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 16. In France, students have to know very early on what career they would like to pursue, and specialize in the relevant field of study from their first year in university. All schools have classes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Enrolment is often first-come-first-served. The school week runs from Monday to Friday, unlike the state sector where there can be lessons on Saturdays for older children (although Saturday classes are becoming less common), or half days on Wednesdays. Guide to French School Education. Public schooling in France is free for expats who can provide proof of residence, and private schools and universities are often subsidised. Some private schools are independently funded and are not under government control. Class sizes tend to be smaller than state schools. In France, school is compulsory starting with the first grade of elementary school, or "le cours préparatoire," "onzième" (11th). 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). The lessons, tests and exams are in French, and students work towards the French qualification, the baccalauréat. A Masters in France is normally two years in duration. If you are also planning to return home or move abroad again, it may be beneficial to continue in the school program offered in your home country or an internationally recognized program. These schools are sous contrat d’association schools. 9. 8. The big advantage of enrolling your children into a local French school is that they will become fluent in French much faster than they would at an international school. Students attending a France university are exposed to the amazing French culture in their daily student life. These vary according to the school but apply as far in advance as possible. Avez-vous faim? Metropolitan French school holidays are scheduled by the Ministry of Education by dividing the country into three zones (A, B, and C) to prevent overcrowding by family holidaymakers of tourist destinations, such as the Mediterranean coast and ski resorts. The country has 28 regions (academies) that set the curriculum and examinations to a national standard. It is compulsory for all children resident in France to attend school between the ages of six and 16. What’s it like to teach English in… France? To send a link to this page you must be logged in. 4. To obtain this, you will have to show: Foreign documents may need to translated by an official translator, traducteur assermenté. If lessons are in French, what language and other support is available? Expatica helps make your expat journey the experience you've always wanted. In Metropolitan France, the school year runs from early September to early July. PUBLISHED: 14:31 11 April 2017 | UPDATED: 15:11 01 September 2017, 12 things you should know about French schools © artisteer / ThinkstockPhotos. Chefs prepare dishes such as quiche, soufflés, mousse, pâté, croissants, crêpes, and French bread. Tuition in private institutions, and particularly in private business schools, is substantially higher than in public institutions, ranging from €3,000 to €10,000 per year. (Are You Hungry?) Paris Sciences et Lettres – PSL Research University Paris is made up of 25 higher education institutions and research centres in the Paris area. Many students from the USA to attend college in France. This is called Allocation de Rentrée Scolaire and you can apply for it at your local CAF (Caisses d’Allocation Familiales), 12. If it’s a private school, what do the fees include or not include. About 15 percent of French children attend private schools (écoles privées or écoles libres) throughout France. While France has close to a hundred universities, most of them able to hold their own as regards teaching and research with universities in other parts of Europe, the peak of the education pinnacle in France is represented by the country's "Grandes Ecoles", relatively small and highly selective "schools" (in the American sense of the word) which provide a cosseted higher education to the nation's future … The Ministry of Education is responsible for France’s state schools. The school day in France starts at 8.30 and finishes at 4.30 with a long lunch break. International schools are found all over France, usually in large cities and areas where there is a sizable expat population. There are bilingual schools with section bilingue or classes bilingues. You can choose whether to go to a French state school, a state-contracted private school or a fully independent school in France, which includes most international and foreign schools. But people are not just coming from Europe any longer. Primary school is called école primaire and children start in September of the year they turn 6 – so children born in 2010 all start primary school in September 2016. These schools mostly cater for pupils who are primarily French speakers, although some teach in both French and English. Parents may also be asked to show proof of identity, which can include copies of passports, cartes de séjour, or cartes d’identité, and possibly proof of insurance. La grande section de maternelle ou GS (5 ans) = Kindergarden (Year 1 UK) 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). French state schools generally teach only in French and test regularly. They have smaller class sizes, provide more individual attention and have better facilities than state schools. However, it may mean that your child takes longer to learn French and become integrated into French society. There are a total of seven years secondary schooling, which is divided between four years at collège, followed by up to three years at lycée. Primary and middle schools have catchment areas and you’ll be assigned to a school based on where you live. Most private schools receive funding from the government. Once you arrive in France, you need to validate the visa within 3 months. The higher education in France is termed enseignement supérieur. Parents must take out insurance for their children, called assurance scolaire, for school trips, sport and extra-curricular activities. Millions of French children returned to school on Monday after more than three months at home due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. Pupils get a long lunch break and either eat at the school canteen which offers freshly cooked healthy meals or go home for lunch – no packed lunches in France! What examinations are set? The school calendar is standardised throughout the country and is the sole domain of the ministry. Click below to consent to the use of this technology on our website – and don’t worry, we respect your privacy. It is divded into two cycles: the basic learning cycle (two years) and the consolidation cycle (three years). So high school here is three years, seconde (15–16), premiere (16–17), and then terminale (17–18). France has 60,000 primary schools catering to pupils during their first five years of formal education: the first three years (CP - cours préparatoire - and CEl/CE2 - cours élementaire 1 and 2) provide a grounding in the basic skills. Middle school is called collège and children attend from the age of 11 to 15. For information on homeschooling in France, see Expatica’s guide to the school system in France. A guide to the French school system: state-run and private schools, list of CIS member and accredited international schools in France. There are two types of private school in France: contracted (sous contrat) or non-contracted (hors contrat) to the French government. You then take the certificate d’inscription to the school, along with vaccination and health certificates and insurance certificate. The exam at the end of the terminale, which determines your future, is called the baccalaureate. French cooking is thought to be the best in the world. The school week and the hours in the school day vary from region to region. English instructors are normally required to have a Bachelor’s degree and at least a year of relevant education experience, and hold TEFL or CELTA certification. The primary education is called enseignement primaire. Tuition fees are nominal and can be as low as €300 per year. 1. Top 5 universities in France 1. To read about the French education system, see Expatica’s guide to the school system in France. State-contracted private schools follow the French national curriculum and adhere to the same rules as … This might be a little long, the French school system is a little complicated. To apply, contact the school for enrolment requirements and procedures. Even in cities like Bordeaux, Lyon or Toulouse you can get by with 850 to 1,000 euros per month, including accommodation. You have to provide all stationery and equipment, except textbooks, for your child but you can apply for and income-dependant grant to pay for these. NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using. The standard of education is usually high, the class sizes small and the facilities are excellent. Often students must reach a specific standard of education. univ-tlse2.fr Nursery school is called maternelle and children start at the age of 3, 2. This costs between €10 and €35 and covers any damage your child might do to school property and loss of belongings. Language support within the school is not always provided. 3. They do have to be registered with the Ministry of Education, however. Expatica uses technology such as cookies and scripts to personalize content and ads, provide social media features, and analyze our traffic. State-contracted private schools in France. Why don’t you check the following post below for details about the educational system in France? The paper they must take is no SAT-like multiple-choice exercise: the students are required to write well-structured, clearly argued essays that refer to the ideas of past thinkers to … Secondary school is called lycée where students from the age of 15 spend 3 years studying for their baccalauréat – the equivalent of A levels in the UK. France is known for its fine food. proof of residence – usually a copy of a utility bill or rental agreement showing your home address. If you are looking to attend a … Non-residents may have to pay tuition fees as the schools are financed through tax. Where do the French buy holiday homes and what do they pay? It is also legal to home school in France under the guidance of the schools inspectorate. Until 2008, the school week was Monday to Saturday morning, with Wednesday free. Additionally, more extracurricular activities may be on offer at an international school, as French schools tend not to cover creative activities and sports, although such activities are also provided by community associations. If you want your child to go to a school outside of your area, you’ll need to have a good reason and get permission from your local mairie (town hall) and the rectorat (schools inspectorate). Unlike UK Masters, which are delivered over 12 months without a break, postgraduate programmes in France break down into individual academic years, separated by holidays. However, taking part in extracurricular activities in your local area can help with the language. 5. The next stage - CM1/CM2 (cours moyen 1 and 2) takes the children up to the end of primary school. French education is divided into primary level (école), elementary or middle school (collège) and high school (lycée). 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