To enroll a child aged 3 to 5 in kindergarten, you must first go to the town hall and then to school.

Registration must be done before June to enter school in September. You have to go to the town hall to find out.

Documents to bring for registration:

• Your identity document and that of your child (for example: family record book, identity card, passport, copy of birth certificate or sworn certificate)
• A “proof of address” (for example: a copy of your rental contract, an electricity bill, a sworn statement)

How is the day at nursery school?

The children are in a “ class ” of 20 to 30 students. The teacher offers them a variety of activities throughout the day. A second adult assists the teacher in the classroom for the practical aspects: this is the ATSEM .

In the middle of the morning and during the afternoon, the children go out into the schoolyard: it is " recess" , they play freely. At noon, children can go home for lunch. In the early afternoon, the youngest children are resting. It is the “nap”.

To enroll a child aged 6 to 10 in elementary school (we also say “primary school”), you must first go to the town hall and then to school.

Registration must be done before June to enter school in September. You have to go to the town hall to find out.

Documents to bring for registration at the town hall:

• The family record book, a parents' residence permit or a copy of the birth certificate (translated or those from OFPRA).
• Proof of address (for example, an electricity bill or a rental contract, or proof of accommodation or domiciliation),
• A document certifying that the child has received the compulsory vaccines: these are vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus and polio, to be requested from the attending physician.

After registering with the town hall, you must go to the school indicated by the town hall. The school principal then registers your child's registration.

Documents to bring to school registration:

• the registration certificate issued by the town hall;
• the family record book, a parental residence permit or a copy of the birth certificate;
• a document certifying that the child has undergone the compulsory vaccinations for his age (vaccination record for example).

How's it going in elementary school?

Elementary school lasts 5 years , from 6 years to 10 years. Each year corresponds to a level: CP, CE1, CE2, CM1, CM2.

Each class has its teacher (we also say “master” or “mistress”) who deals with all subjects (reading, writing, mathematics, grammar, history, geography, English, science, sport, plastic arts). In the evening after school, children have to do their “ homework ”: this could be, for example, reading or writing practice.

To enroll a child in college or high school, you must first have their educational level assessed. To do this, you must contact an organization called CASNAV (Academic Center for Schooling). To find the CASNAV in your city, you can search the “CASNAV directory” on this site: click here.

The CASNAV will give you an appointment for your child with a " guidance counselor ". The counselor will analyze your child's school career. He will also organize an evaluation of his school level.

Following this meeting, you will be informed of the decision to assign your child to a college or high school class. The class could be a “normal” class (with French pupils, sometimes younger) or an “adapted” class (for example, if your child has had little or no schooling in your country of origin, or if he does not. don't speak French at all).

You must then contact the college or high school of assignment to register your child. The college or high school will tell you what documents are required for registration.

If your child is 12 to 17 years old and their mother tongue is not French, they can take the French language studies diploma ( click here ). It is an official diploma recognized worldwide. It is suitable for the age of children.

How is the day at college or high school?

• The college lasts 4 years . Classes are numbered from 6th to 3rd (students start with 6th and end with 3rd). In 6th grade, students choose a foreign language among those offered by the college (very often, English but it can also be Spanish, German, Portuguese or Italian, for example).
• High school lasts 3 years. The classes are called the second, the first then the terminale. In first and final year, students take an exam called the baccalaureate (“bac”). Success in this exam is necessary to pursue higher education.

At the start of the school year, pupils are given a weekly “timetable”. Each subject is taught by a different teacher. The subjects taught are mathematics, French, history, geography, science, sport, music, visual arts, civic education, foreign languages.

After the day at college or high school, the pupils have to do their “ homework ” (example: learn lessons, do math exercises, etc.).

Each teacher explains how the student's level will be assessed in their subject: for example, with written exams in class, homework or oral examinations in class.

From the age of 16, schooling is no longer compulsory. But up to the age of 18, the young person still has the obligation to “train”.

• If your child wishes to continue his studies, you must carry out the same actions as for enrolling in college or high school for a child aged 11 to 15 (see step 3).
• If your child has never been to school or no longer wishes to go to school, you should contact the Information and Orientation Center (CIO) or a local mission ( click here ) in your region. These organizations will help your child define a professional project. They will be able to direct him to a professional training that suits him. You can also request a Professional Development Council (CEP) for your child.

Schedules

You have to check with the school to find out the date and time of “back to school” , ie the first day of school. The school usually provides a document with the class schedules for the year.

In middle and high school, a “timetable” is given to students on the 1st day. Be careful, it may change slightly in the following weeks.

Equipment

Usually the school gives a list of “school supplies” to buy. This can be for example specific notebooks or pens.

Until the end of primary school, the school provides much of the material. Children must have a school bag (a backpack) and a pencil case (to put pens and pencils).

There is a “ back-to-school allowance ” for families with low incomes. To benefit from it, you must register with the Caisse d'Allocations Familiales.

Books

Class books are lent by the school at the start of the year. They must be returned to school at the end of June. Be careful, if a book is lost or damaged, the school can ask parents to pay for it.

In college and high school, the French teacher sometimes asks students to buy a book. It is usually possible to find the requested book, on loan, at the college, high school or city library.

Information forms

The school often asks to fill out a lot of forms at the beginning of the year.

They concern, for example:

• information on the parents' address and telephone number.
• your child's health: for example, you can specify whether your child needs medical treatment.
• the canteen (or “half-board”): you must indicate whether or not your child will eat in the canteen.
• “Image rights”: you must indicate whether or not you agree to having photos of your child used in school documents.

The school gives the children a “correspondence book”. It is a notebook that allows the teacher and parents to communicate with each other. Parents should regularly check the correspondence book and “sign” next to any new information to show that they are aware of it. They can also write to the teacher in this notebook.

The school closes regularly for “school holidays”: these are periods without school to rest!

The school year begins at the beginning of September. School holidays are:

• two weeks end of October - beginning of November: the “All Saints holidays”
• two weeks end of December - beginning of January: the “Christmas holidays”
• two weeks in February or March: the “winter holidays”
• two weeks in April or May: the “spring holidays”
• eight weeks in July-August: the “big holidays”

The school also stops on “public holidays”: November 11, Easter Monday (variable date), May 1, May 8, Ascension Thursday (variable date), Whit Monday ( variable date).

The dates of “school vacations” and public holidays can be found in a calendar. It is easily found on the internet by searching for “school calendar”.

For example, on the site: https://www.education.gouv.fr/calendrier-scolaire-100148