Parents in France

Education

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An Overview of the French Education System
 
From 'maternelle' to 'college' - explanations and clarifcations of  key acronyms and jargon... 

school.jpg
Most communes have their own primary schools

 
 
 
 
More Essential Education Topics

Le College

Teaching in France

 
 
 
 
 
WHAT CLASS WILL MY BABY BE IN?
 
Usually the year of your child's birth will determine the class s/he goes into when starting school. Afterwards, the child can be boosted ahead or held back a year according to how s/he gets on. For instance, my two-and-a-half year old boys got into the Petite Section of Maternelle in September 2003 because they would turn three in December; but my friend's son who was from January 2004 (just a month younger) was made to stay in the Toute Petite Section.
 
MATERNELLE
Toute Petite Section (2-3 yrs)
Petite Section (3-4 yrs)
Moyenne Section (4-5 yrs)
Grande Section (5-6 yrs)
 
PRIMAIRE
CP
CE1
CE2
CM1
CM2
 
COLLEGE
6e, 5e, 4e, 3e (BEPC)
 
LYCEE
Seconde
Premiere
Terminale
(Bac)

More essential Education topics...

Colleges

Teaching in France

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