How are kids educated in France?

Primary schools provide elementary education for those between the ages of 6 and 11. Secondary education begins in the collèges from the ages of 11 to 15 with further secondary education offered in general or technical lycées, leading to the national baccalauréat examination.

What is the education system in France like?

Education in France is organized in a highly centralized manner, with many subdivisions. It is divided into the three stages of primary education (enseignement primaire), secondary education (enseignement secondaire), and higher education (enseignement supérieur).

How do French kids go to school?

In France, education is compulsory for children between the ages of three and 16 and consists of four cycles: Preschool (écoles maternelles) – ages three to six. Primary school (école élémentaire) – ages six to 11. Middle school (collège) – ages 11 to 15.

How is education in France different from the United States?

Unique Aspects of the French Education System

Emphasizing depth and rigor, students are often subject to high expectations and substantial academic pressure. Unlike the American system, there is less emphasis on extracurricular activities, with the French system centering more on academic achievement.

What is a typical school day in France?

School routine

Generally speaking, the school day in France is from 8:30 until 4:30, but it varies depending on which area you live in. This is longer than the typical school day in the UK or America, but there is a longer lunch break and two other breaks during the day. There are 24 hours of lessons a week.

France for Kids - Fun facts on the French travel guide for kids.

Do kids in France go to school 4 days a week?

4.2.

The school year in France is separated by five periods of schooling and four holiday periods, comprising at least 36 weeks of study. As a general rule, in maternity and primary schools, each week comprises 4.5 days of schooling, with the half-day each Wednesday (in a small number of cases, Saturday morning).

Is the education system in France good?

High-Quality French Education

France is known globally as having both a competitive and exceptional quality of education. With a history dating back to the late 18th century, the French education system has a long tradition of excellence and is widely recognized as one of the best in the world.

Do French kids get homework?

Homework is officially banned in French primary schools, and has been since 1956. But many teachers ignore this and send children home with exercises to do. Older children often spend up to an hour each evening doing homework, and longer at the weekend or on Wednesdays when most schools close.

Do French kids have homework?

Secondary School (Collège) in the French system

Subjects are taught by specialist teachers, foreign languages are offered and daily homework becomes serious. In fact, it becomes so labour intensive that you sometimes don't see your child in the evenings.

How many school days are in France?

England and Italy each have children spend more days per year in school (192 and 204 days, respectively) than the United States average (178 days), according to information reported in the 1993 "Condition of Education." France holds school for an average of 174 days per year.

Why is there no school on Wednesday in France?

The idea of a weekday off dates to 1882, when secular primary education became compulsory in France: a day without classes, then Thursday, was to allow for religious education outside school. In 1972 a government decree fixed Wednesday instead as the mandatory day off.

Why does France not have school on Wednesday?

That French schoolchildren have had Wednesdays off is a quirk of history. When France instituted universal public education in the late 19th century, the government granted a weekly day off for children to attend catechism by the Roman Catholic Church.

How strict are French schools?

The French system is centralised and highly structured, with a strict curriculum and standardised tests. In comparison, other countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have more decentralised systems, emphasising individualised learning and personalised approaches.

Do French schools wear uniforms?

Currently, the French national school system does not require pupils to wear uniforms, unlike many private establishments, such as military schools, and schools in overseas French departments.

Do French go to school on Saturday?

The school day in France typically runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a half day on Saturday, although students do not attend school on Wednesday or Sunday.

Is French college free?

Tuition fees are low in public Higher education institutions because the French government subsidizes higher education. The true cost of education is the same as it is elsewhere in the world—around €10,000 a year. The difference is that in France the government assumes a large share of that cost.

Do French kids eat lunch at school?

Note: unlike the United States, there is no national school lunch program in France. All of the lunches you'll read about here are funded by local municipalities. Three-course (or even four-course) freshly-prepared hot lunches are provided to over 6 million French children in the public school system every day.

Is homeschooling common in France?

There are between 50,000 and 60,000 homeschooled children in France, but this figure is set to fall drastically.

Do French kids have recess?

School Hours in France

Depending on the region of France, students may attend school four, four and a half, or five days per week. Some schools close on Wednesdays. During school, students get two short breaks (recesses) and a minimum of a one and a half hour lunch break.

What do kids do at recess in France?

They are rewarded with recess time three times a day — two shorter breaks, and one long recess after lunch. The playground is usually a zoo with kids running around, laughing, shouting, and getting rid of all the pent-up energy stored from sitting still for so long.

Why is school free in France?

The French educational system is based on the principles of the 1789 revolution. According to the French constitution, it is a duty of the state to provide free, compulsory, secular education at all levels. The structure of the French educational system can be traced back to Napoleon's First Empire (1804-1815).

How long are kids in school in France?

Children's primary education ( 6 to 11 years)

In France, education is compulsory for all children from 3 to 16 years old. Parents must therefore guarantee their child's education whether by public or private school, or provide home schooling or education by correspondence.

Is it better to study in USA or France?

Is it better to study in the USA or France? Ans. Both France and the USA are excellent study-abroad destinations that offer world-class education and a wide range of employment opportunities.

Do French kids go to college when they are 12?

In France, secondary education is in two stages: Collèges (French pronunciation: [kɔlɛʒ]) cater for the first four years of secondary education from the ages of 11 to 15. Lycées ( French pronunciation: [lise]) provide a three-year course of further secondary education for children between the ages of 15 and 18.

What age is college in France?

The "collège unique" is the backbone of the French school system. All pupils go to collège, usually at age 11, but sometimes at an older age, if they have been made to repeat a year in primary school.