Transcription

The Organisation of the School System

Primary School (age 3–11)

Nursery school (compulsory at the start of the 2019 school year)

• Age 3 to 4
  First year
  → 1st Cycle: Early learning
• Age 4 to 5
  Second year
  → 1st Cycle: Early learning
• Age 5 to 6
  Third year
  → 1st Cycle: Early learning

Elementary school (compulsory)

• Age 6 to 7
  First grade (Cours préparatoire)
  → 2nd Cycle: Basic learning
• Age 7 to 8
  Second grade (Cours élémentaire 1st year)
  → 2nd Cycle: Basic learning
• Age 8 to 9
  Third grade (Cours élémentaire 2nd year)
  → 2nd Cycle: Basic learning
• Age 9 to 10
  Fourth grade (Cours moyen 1st year)
  → 3rd Cycle: Consolidation

• Age 10 to 11
  Fifth grade (Cours moyen 2nd year)
  → 3rd Cycle: Consolidation

   

Secondary School (age 11–18)

• Age 11 to 12
  Sixth grade (Sixième)
  → 4th Cycle: Further learning
• Age 12 to 13
  Seventh grade (Cinquième)
  → 4th Cycle: Further learning
• Age 13 to 14
  Eighth grade (Quatrième)
  → 4th Cycle: Further learning
• Age 14 to 15
  Ninth grade (Troisième)
  → 4th Cycle: Further learning

Upper secondary school or “lycée”*

• Age 15 to 16
  Tenth grade (Seconde)
  → Orientation Cycle
• Age 16 to 17
  Eleventh grade (Première)
  → Baccalaureate route
  (Students choose between a general, technological, or vocational baccalaureate diploma)
• Age 17 to 18
  Twelfth grade (Terminale)
  → Baccalaureate route

Note* 

This age range does not apply to vocational upper secondary schools (lycées professionnels).
A CAP (vocational training qualification) can be completed in two years and may be followed by a vocational baccalaureate from Première grade.