High school
Once students complete middle school, they continue their education at a regular high school, where they can pursue general or technical studies, or at a vocational high school.
Regular high school (general or technical studies)
Regular high school lasts three years:
- During the first year (la seconde), students take courses in both general and technical studies. At the end of the year, students choose one of the two tracks.
- In the second and third years (la première and la terminale, respectively), students prepare to take the French leaving exam: the baccalaureate (le baccalauréat, or bac). This diploma allows students to pursue post-secondary studies.
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Vocational high school
At vocational high schools, students train for a specific profession. Upon finishing high school, they can either choose to enter the labour force or continue their studies. In these schools, courses focused on technical skills account for 40–60% of a student’s schedule. Classes are held in workshops, in laboratories, or at construction sites, depending on the student’s specific training programme. The remaining time is devoted to general studies, including subjects such as French, mathematics, history, geography, English, and the various sciences.
At vocational high schools, students can take part in work-study programmes (formation en alternance), during which they alternate training courses at the school with work at private companies.
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Diplomas
Regardless of whether a student pursues general, technical, or vocational studies in high school, they must pass a version of the baccalaureate. Those who pass the exam are referred to as bachelières or bacheliers.
Depending on their educational path, students take one of three exams:
- General baccalaureate: Students with a general baccalaureate can continue with post-secondary studies at a university, take preparatory classes to compete for a spot at a grande école, or enrol at an advanced vocational school (brevet de technicien supérieur; BTS), a university technology institute (institut universitaire de technologie; IUT), or another specialised post-secondary institution.
- Technical baccalaureate: Students with a technical baccalaureate can pursue post-secondary studies in science and technology, science and lab work, medical sciences, social sciences, agriculture, environmental sciences, hotel/restaurant management, or music and dance.
- Vocational baccalaureate: Students with a vocational baccalaureate can either immediately begin their careers or pursue further studies at a post-secondary institution.
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Enrolment
Unlike for primary and middle school, a child’s high school is not determined exclusively by their place of residence. During the last year of middle school (la troisième), you indicate the high school(s) you wish your child to attend using an online form. Based on your child’s performance in middle school, the regional director of education will either approve or reject your request(s).
