The French education system

France's education system is compulsory ages 3-16, divided into maternelle (preschool 3-6), primaire (elementary 6-11), collège (middle school 11-15), and lycée (high school 15-18), culminating in the baccalauréat exam determining university access. The system emphasizes academic rigor, philosophy education, and centralized curriculum set by the Ministry of Education, with free public schools available alongside private options (often Catholic) and international schools for expat families.

Navigating the French education system requires understanding its structure, intense academic focus starting early, and strict grade progression. Whether you're moving to Paris with children or choosing between public/private/international schools, knowing about classe préparatoire (elite university prep), grandes écoles (prestigious institutions), and the importance of the bac exam helps you support your child's education.

French Education Structure

Maternelle (Preschool): Ages 3-6

Compulsory from age 3 (since 2019). Three years: petite section (3-4), moyenne section (4-5), grande section (5-6). Focuses on socialization, motor skills, language development, and preparing for formal education. Free in public schools.

Primaire (Elementary): Ages 6-11

Five years: CP, CE1, CE2, CM1, CM2. Introduces reading, writing, math, sciences, history, geography. Emphasis on mastering fundamentals. Students may repeat grades if not meeting standards, less stigmatized than other countries.

Collège (Middle School): Ages 11-15

Four years (6ème to 3ème, counted backward). Curriculum intensifies with French, math, sciences, history, geography, foreign languages, arts, PE. Ends with Brevet exam (not required for lycée but important). Academic tracking begins.

Lycée (High School): Ages 15-18

Three years: seconde (general), première and terminale (choose track). Three tracks: général (academic, university-bound), technologique (technical), professionnel (vocational). Ends with baccalauréat exam, crucial for university admission.

The Baccalauréat (Bac)

The bac is the French high school diploma and university entrance qualification. Reformed in 2021: continuous assessment (40%) + final exams (60%). Specializations replace old tracks. Pass rate ~95%, but prestige varies by school and scores. Essential for higher education.

Higher Education

Universities

Public universities are nearly free (~€200-600/year). Open admission with bac. Bachelor (3 years), Master (2 years), Doctorate (3 years) following Bologna Process.

Grandes Écoles

Elite institutions (Sciences Po, HEC, École Polytechnique, ENS) requiring competitive entrance exams after classes préparatoires (2-year intensive prep after lycée). Highly prestigious, produce France's leaders and executives.

School Types for Expats

Public Schools

Free, follow national curriculum, instruction in French. Excellent academic rigor but challenging for non-French speakers. Strict discipline and traditional pedagogy.

Private Schools

Often Catholic (sous contrat, state-funded curriculum) or independent (hors contrat, own curriculum). Tuition €1,000-10,000/year. May offer more flexibility but follow French system.

International Schools

Teach foreign curricula (IB, American, British). Instruction in English/other languages. Expensive (€10,000-30,000/year) but ease transition for expat children. Don't lead to bac, may complicate French university admission.

Key Characteristics

• Academic rigor from young age, homework, high expectations
• Philosophy taught from terminale, critical thinking emphasis
• Centralized curriculum, all students learn same material
• Formal teacher-student relationships, respect for authority
• Long school days (8:30 AM-4:30 PM) with Wednesday afternoons often free
• Vacation schedule: 2 weeks every 6-7 weeks, summer July-August