The French school system
In France, educational instruction is compulsory for children between the ages of 3 and 16. The school year begins in September and ends in late June/early July. Children either attend public schools, which are free, secular, and coeducational, or private schools.
Structure
In France, there are four phases of schooling:
- Preschool (age 3–5)
- Elementary school (age 6–10)
- Secondary school (middle school, age 11–14 years, and high school, age 15–17)
- Post-secondary school (18 and older)
This schooling can be done at one of three types of establishments:
- Public schools run by the French government
- Private schools that are under contract to the French government to provide students with the same education as in the public system (called écoles sous contrat)
- Private schools without a governmental contract that are subject to administrative and educational inspections by the government (called écoles hors contrat)
The latter two groups include religiously affiliated schools, bilingual schools, international schools, and alternative schools (e.g., Montessori).
Only the government has the power to issue diplomas and university degrees. Diplomas issued by private schools are not official unless they are formally recognised by the government.
Useful links
- Table comparing the school system in France to those in other countries
- Private schools
- Directory of public and private schools in France
Educational principles
The following principles underpin the French public school system and guarantee access to a secular education at no cost:
- Everyone has the right to establish a school and provide instruction, although only the government is authorised to issue educational degrees
- Education at public schools and institutions is free of cost
- Teachers and students are philosophically and political neutral
- The state is secular; neither religious instruction nor proselytising is allowed
- Educational instruction is compulsory for all children aged 3 to 16 residing in France, regardless of their nationality
Useful links
School year
The school year lasts ten months. It begins in early September and ends in late June/early July. In general, students attend school from Monday to Friday. Instruction occurs in the morning, from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM, and in the afternoon, from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. In some institutions, on Wednesdays, there is only class in the morning.
Outside of class time, children remain under adult supervision. For example, there are before- and after-school programmes, monitored cafeteria lunches, and study hall (i.e., after school for primary school children).
There are four major holiday periods. Their exact dates are decided each year by the French Ministry of National Education and are based on geographical zone (mainland France is divided into three zones: A, B, and C). France’s overseas departments and regions have their own holiday schedules.
Useful links
Useful links