First published in August 2023
Updated in November 2025
Moving to France with children means getting to grips with how schools in France work, from école maternelle to the baccalauréat, plus day-to-day practicalities like enrolment, lunches, and school insurance. The good news: the French system is structured, predictable, and focused on core knowledge. Below is how school is organised in, how to enrol, and what to expect through the year.
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Understanding the structure of French education
The French education system is renowned for its well-defined structure and rigorous standards, reflecting the country’s emphasis on academic excellence and cultural preservation. Navigating this system is vital for expat families seeking the best educational opportunities for their children. Let’s delve deeper into the stages that compose the framework of French education.
École maternelle (preschool): ages 3–6
- Compulsory from age 3 (since 2019).
- Focus: socialisation, language, early numeracy, motor skills.
- Classes: petite, moyenne, grande section.
École élémentaire / primaire (primary): ages 6–11
- Years CP → CE1 → CE2 → CM1 → CM2.
- Core subjects: reading, writing, French, maths, science, arts, sport/civics.
- Teaching time is national: 24 hours/week over 4 or 4½ days (your commune decides the rhythm, see “School week” below).
Collège (lower secondary): ages 11–15
- Years 6ème → 5ème → 4ème → 3ème (grades 6 to 9)
- Broader curriculum (French, maths, sciences, history-geography, languages, PE, tech, arts).
- End-of-collège exam: Diplôme national du brevet (DNB).
Lycée (upper secondary): ages 15–18
Lycée covers three years, Seconde, Première, and Terminale, and leads to the Baccalauréat (Bac), the national diploma required for university admission.
There are three main pathways:
- General (Bac général): academic route where students choose specialty subjects such as maths, economics, languages, or sciences. Continuous assessment counts for 40% of the final grade, and new maths tests will apply from 2026.
- Technological (Bac technologique): focuses on applied subjects like business (STMG), health and social care (ST2S), engineering (STI2D), or hospitality (STHR). Graduates typically continue to technical degrees (BTS/BUT).
- Vocational (Bac pro / CAP): combines classroom study with work placements, preparing students for trades or immediate employment. A 2025–2026 reform expands workplace training and mentoring.
After the Bac, students apply to higher education through Parcoursup, the national university admissions platform. Most universities are public and affordable, while selective programs (grandes écoles, business, or engineering schools) may require entrance exams or interviews.
Public vs private schools (and “Sectorisation”)
- Public schools follow the national curriculum, are tuition-free, and usually assign a place based on your address (carte scolaire). You can request a dérogation (transfer) subject to places and criteria.
- Private sous contrat schools: state-partner schools that follow national programmes (moderate fees but strong demand in cities).
- Private hors contrat schools: independent provision with higher fees; must meet safety/health and minimum teaching rules.
- International/bilingual options: Many public or contract private schools offer sections internationales or bilingual streams; availability varies by académie.
French education enrolment: what to do and when
Maternelle & élémentaire (public schools)
- Pre-enrol at your mairie (town hall) several months before September (many open from January).
- Bring: passport/ID & birth certificate, proof of address, proof of mandatory vaccinations (infant schedule).
- The mairie issues an enrolment certificate indicating your assigned school.
- Finalise at the school with the mairie certificate + vaccination proof (and any additional forms they request).
Collège & lycée (public)
- Your child is assigned to the sector school via the education authority.
- Requests for another school (options, special sections, proximity to childcare) go through the DSDEN (departmental education office). Timelines and online forms vary by académie.
New-to-France & non-French-speaking pupils
- Schools must admit school-age children.
- Pupils with limited French receive tailored FLE support via UPE2A units; the CASNAV network coordinates inclusion and assessment.
- Bring previous school records if available (reports, transcripts) to help placement.
Vaccinations
- Mandatory vaccination status is checked at enrolment for younger children; schools keep records updated. Your mairie can advise on documentation if you’re newly arrived.
The school week, lunches, and costs
School week (primary)
- National rule: 24 hours/week.
- Since the 2017 decree, communes may run 4 days (Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri) or 4½ days (with Wednesday morning), within daily time limits and with a minimum 1h30 lunch break.
- Secondary timetables are set by schools within national hour-allocations (expect earlier starts/ later finishes and free periods).
Canteen (cantine)
- Prices are local and often means-tested using the quotient familial (household income/size).
- Many communes or regions offer social tariffs (e.g., 1 € meal bands; some regions keep 0.50 € for the lowest band in high schools).
- Menus must follow national nutrition guidelines; special diets require a PAI (individualised plan) with medical certification.
School insurance (assurance scolaire)
- Not required for compulsory in-timetable activities (lessons, PE).
- Usually required for optional activities (most trips, some clubs, sometimes canteen/after-school depending on organiser).
- Your home policy may include responsabilité civile (RC); many schools request RC + accident cover. Ask your insurer for an attestation.
School calendar
- Holiday dates differ by zones A/B/C. Always check the official calendar for your académie each year (important for travel planning and childcare).
Assessments and key transitions
- End of collège (3e): DNB, a mix of continuous assessment and final tests; 2026 brings changes to awarding but it doesn’t block progression to lycée.
- Throughout lycée: continuous assessment plus terminal exams; from 2026 an early maths paper returns in the general/technological Bac.
- Post-Bac: apply through Parcoursup for university, IUT, BTS, selective tracks, and some preparatory classes (timeline published annually).
Practical choices for expat families
Public integration vs international schooling
- Public schools: no tuition, full language immersion, strong integration into local community; places allocated by sector.
- Private/International: bilingual or English-medium programmes (IB/A-levels in some schools), smaller classes; fees and admissions vary and places can be limited, apply early!
Language support
- If your child is learning French, ask the school or DSDEN about UPE2A support and local bilingual/international sections.
- At home, keep the first language strong to support literacy transfer while French develops at school.
Special educational needs & disability (SEND)
- France provides support via PAP/PPRE/PAI plans; for disabilities, the MDPH (departmental house for disabled persons) coordinates assessments and assistance (AESH support, adaptations).
- Start paperwork early; schools guide you on which plan fits your child’s needs.
Day-to-day: What families often ask
What time does school start and finish?
Primary typically runs 8:30–16:30 (with a long lunch); secondary varies by timetable and options.
Is Wednesday a school day?
Depends on your commune: 4-day week (no Wednesday) or 4½ days (Wednesday morning classes). Extracurriculars often fall on Wednesday.
Do kids get homework in French primary schools?
Yes, light in early primary, increasing through collège and lycée. Reading remains central.
How hard is the Bac (French national diploma)?
It’s rigorous, combining continuous assessment and final exams; pathways help tailor depth (general/tech/vocational). Results are used for Parcoursup applications.
Is preschool really compulsory in France?
Yes. Schooling is compulsory from age 3, and most children attend école maternelle full-time.
Can I choose any public school?
Public places are assigned by sector (carte scolaire). You can request a transfer (dérogation) but it depends on available places and criteria.
How do non-French-speaking children manage?
Schools offer UPE2A support and progressive inclusion. Expect targeted French as a second language (FLE) alongside regular classes.
Are lunches free?
No. Canteen fees are set locally and often means-tested. Some communes/regions offer €1 bands or very low tariffs for eligible families.
What if my child has special needs?
Speak to the school about PAP/PPRE/PAI. For disabilities, the MDPH coordinates additional support (e.g., AESH classroom assistants).
Key takeaways about the French education system
- School is compulsory from age 3; primary teaching time is 24 hrs/week over 4 or 4½ days.
- Public schools assign places by sector; dérogations are possible but depend on places.
- DNB at the end of collège; Bac at lycée; Parcoursup for higher-ed admissions.
- Canteen prices and some services are means-tested (quotient familial).
- School insurance is optional for lessons but usually required for trips/clubs.
- Non-French speakers are supported via UPE2A and inclusion pathways.
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