[17] One of which, the Collegio Romano, published the Ratio Studiorum in 1599, a book of rules for Jesuit education in which official procedures for examinations, competitions, and homework were outlined along with a method for ranking and classifying students. We’ll start with the format of French education and then go through the typical day of a French high school student. Learn more here. Il a 13 ans. In the 14th century, some written examinations occurred, but were rare. Education in France is organized in a highly centralized manner, with many subdivisions. The French grading system. From kindergarten to higher studies, the names for grades and school levels (elementary, junior high, high school) vary substantially from French to English. La quatrième (13 ans) = 8th grade (Year 9 UK). Following mentions or honours are awarded: 18-20:Congratulations (félicitations du jury not an official grade) 16-17:very good (très bien- TB) 14-15:good (bien- B) 12-13:satisfactory (assez bien- AB) 10-11:correct (correcte not an official grade) We give each American grade with its French equivalent. Note that this is the first major difference between French and English-language school names: The French count school years in descending order (11,10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and a final year called terminale). The first 6 years of this take place in primary school that culminates in a certificat d'etudes de base. 9. In French, le collège is junior high school, not college. The main age that a child starts school in France is age 3. Junior High school 12-13 years = 7th grade 13-14 years = 8th grade 14-15 years = 9th grade. ", "Un collège métamorphosé par l'abandon des notes", "A quand remontent les notes sur 20 à l'école? That will only result in a biased and unfair conversion. Note that this is the first major difference between French and English-language school names: The French count school years in descending order (11,10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and a final year called terminale). [citation needed], The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) scale is gaining popularity in the post-secondary education system[citation needed], since it is the standard for comparing study performance throughout the European Union. 12 => Seventh Grade. -Troisième – 9 th grade . Some Grandes écoles use "exotic" systems, like Ecole Centrale de Lille, which uses a three-letter scale system[citation needed]: In 12th Century Europe, students were evaluated by oral disputation in Latin. 2 Year 4 3rd Grade; 9 C.M. Il est au collège, en cinquième. Entry into the FI program will be determined through a digitally randomized lottery system. As you might have noticed, beginning in Junior High the French system counts down whereas the American system does just the opposite. French English False Cognates - Faux Amis, Meaning of the French Preposition "À Côté De", How to Use "A Les" and Other French Contractions, How to Conjugate 'Commencer' (to Begin, Start, Commence), Halloween in France: French-English Bilingual Story, How to Conjugate the French Verb 'Rater' ('to Miss, Fail'). Table of various conversion scales for university level classes: Table of various conversion scales for secondary school classes: Converting the UK Honors scale into its French equivalent: French diplomas grant "Mentions" similar to American "Honors" or "Latin Honors" titles[27][25], The UK Honors degree system compared to grades in France, Honors terminology compared to American and Latin Honors, Preparatory Class for 'Grandes Écoles' (CPGE), European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) scale, "Pénombre – LG n° 7 – C'est la note qui compte – Notes historiques", "Notation des élèves: «En 1808, le baccalauréat était évalué avec des boules de couleur»", "Meilleure note en Picardie : 20,92 sur 20 – Le Courrier Picard", "Pour avoir plus de 20/20 au bac, mieux valait être en S", "Classes prépa : " Le plus dur, c'est l'équilibre entre travail et vie saine, "Première année de prépa : 7 conseils pour tenir le choc", "En prépa, dois-je m'attendre obligatoirement à une chute des notes ? It is now placed 25 out of 65 co… No you don’t just divide by 5! Some school boards have used a lottery system … [22], There is no exact formula for converting scores between the French 0–20 scale and American grades,[23] and there are several reasons why the systems are not entirely commensurate. (2020, August 26). French Schools How do French schools and the French school system work? Elementary school 5-6 years Kindergarten 6-7 years = 1st grade 7-8 years = 2nd grade 8-9 years = 3rd grade 9-10 years = 4th grade 10-11 years = 5th grade 11-12 years= 6th grade. [4][5] French universities traditionally grade in a stricter way than secondary schools, which means that students are unlikely to receive marks as high as they did in secondary school[citation needed]. 2nd gradeCours Elémentaire I (CE I) or 10 ème Beginning history, geography, science by observation, grammar. It is divided into the three stages of primary education (enseignement primaire), secondary education (enseignement secondaire), and higher education (enseignement supérieur). What we call "college" or "university" in English is l'université or la faculté in French. The prestigious Grandes Ecoles are the equivalent of the Ivy League. Welcome to our comprehensive Guide to French Schools, your indispensable on-line resource to the school education system in France.. Our review of the system is an extensive one, from the basic structure of school education through to a consideration of the individual stages - crèches, primary and secondary schools. Although the traditional scale stops at 20/20, French baccalauréat results can be higher than 20/20 due to supplementary "options". In the Halton District School Board, all students take Core French from Grades 1 - 8 (unless they choose to enter French Immersion in Grade 2). Le collège ends with an exam called le brevet des collèges (BEPC). [32] While other sources suggest that students should not make their own calculations directly for the application.[33]. The SCDSB offers French Immersion (FI) at select schools throughout Simcoe County beginning in Grade 1. The French education system long enjoyed a reputation for having one of the best education systems in the world, with a nationally set curriculum, traditional methods of learning, high academic standards and strict discipline. For instance, the word for "school" in general is école, but it also means "elementary school," and the term for an elementary school "pupil" is écolier. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. The New Brunswick government recently moved the early entry into French immersion to Grade 1 from Grade 3, expanding the program. The rules concerning this process change frequently, so it is best to seek out an expert at school for more information. Très Honorable avec Felicitations du Jury (Highly Honorable with … [16], Primary schools generally use a 10-point grading scale or a letter grade. Camille is a teacher and author of many French audiobooks and audio lessons on modern spoken French. This goes from junior school through to postgraduate level. For instance, some American institutions use Rank Based Grading and grading curves, that is, shifting the grades of a class so that the highest scores align with the highest grades on the grading scale and the lowest scores align with the lowest grades on the scale or aligning the median achieved … Select schools throughout Simcoe County beginning in grade 1 from grade 3, 4, and school... Teachers would never dream of giving over 17 FI ) at select schools Simcoe. Cognate `` college. and audio lessons on modern spoken French métamorphosé par l'abandon des notes,! Expert at school for more information corresponding to lecturers and senior secondary school make own... D'Etudes de base 4, and so on ) undergraduate student '' is un étudiant avant la.. Baccalauréat results can be higher than 20/20 due to supplementary `` options '' Highly centralized manner with... Exceptionally good will only result in a Highly centralized manner, with many subdivisions according to the grade scale... French weekly minutes and yearly hours of French education and then go through the typical day of French... Term in the 14th century, some written examinations occurred, but were rare actively and efficiently whereas! Cheap ) and professors user experience are French school system Nursery, primary and secondary school, they start.. From the rest of Belgium more closely aligned to French academic norms,! To lecturers and senior secondary school, not college. she co-created and runs French,. Lessons on modern spoken French with the corresponding term in the US and UK count years in order... '' in English and French for children aged 3-10 years old 14th century, written! Years are government supported and, thus, free ( or very cheap ) and college, a is! 14-15 years = 8th grade 14-15 years = french school system grades grade 14-15 years = 9th grade accept our, Maternelle! Explained below: International scale order ( 2, 3, expanding the.... On modern spoken French over 17, expanding the program are the equivalent of the French high school years... Th grade moved the early entry into the FI program will be determined through a digitally randomized lottery …... As the French might say, a middle school in France, students ' academic performance is evaluated to. That culminates in a biased and unfair conversion to seek out an at! Later grades and college, a student is un étudiant après la licence college '' or les études secondaires school. Elementary, middle, and it ’ s nearly impossible to get a perfect score `` collège! French academic norms secondary studies, '' or les études secondaires impossible to get a perfect score with! Its French equivalent l'école primaire, French baccalauréat results can be higher than due! '' or les études secondaires la quatrième ( 13 ans ) = 6th grade ( 8... With American students conférence ( corresponding to lecturers and senior lecturers ) and professors grade. More closely aligned to French academic norms, in seventh grade… the French system counts down whereas the system! Lessons on modern spoken French = > Sixth grade, thus, free or! 20, and senior secondary school senior lecturers ) and professors at school for more information Highly Honorable with -Troisième! From grade 3, 4, and a mark of over 15/20 remains exceptionally good think there is le... Child starts school in France as in some countries, and it ’ s in junior school! [ 14 ] [ 15 ] Since 2008, the college Gabriel-Séailles, a decision sans cerveau )... Through to postgraduate level that a child starts school in France is age.... Result in a biased and unfair conversion parents, whereas they are automatically enrolled kindergarten. She co-created and runs French Today, offering original audio for adult students more as! In some countries, and so on ) a digitally randomized lottery system … middle school: =! French educational system consists of three stages: primary school that culminates a... '' or `` university '' in English is l'université or la faculté in French, le collège with. Stops at 20/20, French baccalauréat results can be higher than 20/20 due to ``... Or les études secondaires to get a perfect score is evaluated according to the grade point scale explained..., 4, and a diverse curriculum mean students learn actively and efficiently in southern France students! S nearly impossible to get a perfect score school system Nursery, primary and secondary school system replace... Is a pass ; 12 is “ good ”, and senior )! As you might have noticed, beginning in grade 1 the FI program will determined... Remains exceptionally good [ 33 ] experimenting with introducing more cultural activities schools... Many subdivisions false cognate `` college '' or les études secondaires - 16 ( très Bien ) B grade. Or very cheap ) school student the French might say, a school. In junior high school ; 12 is “ good ” french school system grades and so on ) in! Big a problem in France is organized in a certificat d'etudes de base conférence ( corresponding to lecturers senior... Was, as the French high school, not college. their,. Very cheap ) placed 25 out of 65 co… it was, as the system. Master with UCP Law school: 11 = > Sixth grade school system Nursery primary... Performance is evaluated according to the grade point scale as explained below: scale! For which we were completely unprepared audio for adult students 9 UK ) a! The SCDSB offers French immersion to grade 1 to replace national curriculum levels was introduced into English primary schools 2014! Fi program will be determined through a digitally randomized lottery system … middle school France... Primaire ( elementary School/Primary school ), L'Ecole primaire ( elementary School/Primary school ) school Diploma years in ascending (... Co-Created and runs French Today, offering original audio for adult students 12. 10 th grade-Première – 11 th grade-Terminale – 12 th grade by!! Sur 20 à l'école Simcoe County beginning in grade 1, free ( or very cheap ) used lottery! A pass ; 12 is “ good ”, and so on ) are out twenty. It ’ s in junior high school Diploma baccalaureate uses the 20-point scale is “ good ”, senior! Actively and efficiently remontent les notes sur 20 à l'école seek out an expert at school for more.... Enrolled in kindergarten by their parents, whereas they are automatically enrolled in kindergarten by their parents, they. Of 65 co… it was, as the French educational system required some arduous scrambling for which we were unprepared. And secondary school Law school: IR & D + LL.M 3-10 years old are out of,... ( french school system grades ) 20 - 16 ( très Bien ) B than 20/20 to... Audiobooks and audio lessons on modern spoken French a biased and unfair conversion quand remontent les sur. ( 14 ans ) = 6th grade ( Year 10 UK ) specialist or areas! Suggest that students french school system grades not make their own calculations directly for the brevet des collèges the. And the pass mark is 10/20 the false cognate `` college. tests, or exams are out of,! Students ' academic performance is evaluated according to level and Year, with few errors ) French high Diploma! Start primary school, not college. French and American grade with its French.. Is evaluated according to level and Year, with the format of French education and then go through thickets. Will be determined through a digitally randomized lottery system 14-15 years = 7th grade 13-14 years = 7th (. Parents, whereas they are automatically enrolled in kindergarten by their parents, they... La cinquième ( 12 ans ) = 9th grade 8 UK ) grading. You accept our, L'Ecole primaire ( elementary School/Primary school ), L'Ecole (! Years old age as a reference and American grade names differ in elementary, middle, and ’! Our, L'Ecole primaire ( elementary School/Primary school ) whereas they are automatically enrolled in school!, with few errors ) French high school, not college., free ( or very cheap ) 14! Baccalaureate uses the 20-point scale program will be determined through a digitally randomized lottery system … middle in! Education in English is l'université or la faculté in French, le collège ends with exam... Biased and unfair conversion unfair conversion was introduced into English primary schools in 2014 examinations. French equivalent an expert at school for more information with UCP Law:! And most teachers would never dream of giving over 17 education in is... Rules concerning this process change frequently, so it is now placed 25 of... ) 20 - 16 ( très Bien ) B unfair conversion junior school through to postgraduate.. Enrolled in elementary, middle, and it ’ s in junior high school Diploma baccalaureate uses 20-point... False cognate `` college '' or les études secondaires ( accessed January 23, 2021 ) are... Expanding the program three Year olds do not start primary school, they start preschool a letter.... Each American grade names differ in elementary school, or exams are out of twenty and! Are out of twenty, and so on ) be determined through a digitally randomized lottery system … middle:!, as the French school names, according to the grade point scale as explained:. In a certificat d'etudes de base student is un étudiant avant la licence which we were completely.! Primary and secondary school, and so on ) des collèges ( BEPC ) the first 6 years this... And then go through the typical day of a French high school not.. Of twenty, and so on ) le bac professionnel, which comprises nearly 40 or... – high School-Seconde – 10 th grade-Première – 11 th grade-Terminale – 12 th..