Schools
Two schools follow us
After our presentations in these two elementary schools, the class of the level "CM1-CM2"and its teacher Valérie Escarnot, and the class of the level "CE2-CM1" and ts teacher Jacques Vionnet from the school Antoine Lyonnet in Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux (Jura, East of France), as well as the classe of the level "CM2" from the school Jean Macé à Vergèze (Gard, South of France) follow us via our blog and by e-mail.
Presentations in 2 primary schools before we left
We presented our travels in 2 elementary schools:
- The elementary school "Jean Macé" in Vergèze (Gard, South East of France): we went there on the 2nd of Mai, 2008 for the day, for meeting the levels "CE2", "CM1" and "CM2"
- The elementary school "Antoine Lyonnet" in Saint-Laurent-en-Granvaux (Jura, East of France): we went there on the 9th of Mai, 2008 for the afternoon, for meeting the levels "CE2", "CM1" and "CM2".
See below for the corresponding grades in North American Schools
During these presentations, we used different back-ups: videos, pictures and geographical maps. We also showed them our bikes, all loaded with the paniers.
Lost in the Franch school system?
The French system is quite different from the American system. To try to explain you how it works, we found information on the website of the French ambassy in the USA about primary and secondary education.
In France, school is compulsory from six to sixteen years old. From nursery school to higher education, families have the option of sending their children to free and coeducational public schools, or to pay for private ones. If you choose a state-run school for your child, you must choose one in your neighborhood. The local city hall (mairie) will tell you what your options are. From the age of 2 or 3 children can attend the local kindergarten (maternelle), which is state run and administered by the local authorities.
* Comparison of the educational system in France and in the U.S.
| Age | In France | In the U.S. |
| Maternelle | Daycare & Kindergarten | |
| 2-3 yrs old | Maternelle (petite section) | 2-3 yrs old Preschool (Daycare) |
| 3-4 yrs old | Maternelle (petite section) | 3-4 yrs old Preschool (Daycare) |
| 4-5 yrs old | Maternelle (moyenne section) | 4-5 yrs old Preschool |
| 5-6 yrs old | Maternelle (grande section) | 5-6 yrs old Kindergarten |
| Ecole primaire | Elementary school | |
| 6-7 yrs old | CP | 1st grade |
| 7-8 yrs old | CE1 | 2nd grade |
| 8-9 yrs old | CE2 | 3rd grade |
| 9-10 yrs old | CM1 | 4th grade |
| 10-11 yrs old | CM2 | 5th grade |
| Collège | Junior High School | |
| 11-12 yrs old | Sizième | 6th grade |
| 12-13 yrs old | Cinquième | 7th grade |
| 13-14 yrs old | Quatrième | 8th grade |
| 14-15 yrs old | Troisième | Highschool |
| Lycée | 14-15 yrs old = 9th grade | |
| 15-16 yrs old | Seconde | 10th grade |
| 16-17 yrs old | Première | 11th grade |
| 17-18 yrs old | Terminale | 12th grad |
At 15 or 16 the more academic children go to the "lycée" to prepare for the "baccalauréat" (commonly called the bac). Less academically inclined students attend a vocational/technical school or get practical training. The bac is the high school diploma taken at 18 or 19 which guarantees entry into university.
* Education system in Spain
In principle, there are not many differences between the French and the Spanish education system:
- Preschool education up to 6 year-olds
- Primary education up to 12 year-olds
- Secondary compulsory education up to 16 year-olds
| Age | |
| 6-7 | 1º de Educación Primaria |
| 7-8 | 2º de Educación Primaria |
| 8-9 | 3º de Educación Primaria |
| 9-10 | 4º de Educación Primaria |
| 10-11 | 5º de Educación Primaria |
| 11-12 | 6º de Educación Primaria |
| 12-13 | 1º de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria |
| 13-14 | 2º de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria |
| 14-15 | 3º de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria |
| 15-16 | 4º de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria |
| Título de Graduado en Educación Secundaria | |
| 16-17 | 1º de Bachillerato |
| 17-18 | 2º de Bachillerato |
| Título de Bachiller. | |
| Examen de Selectividad |
There is a first certificate, that allows you to be Graduado en Educación Secundaria. Next, the Bachillerato, that corresponds to the French “Lycée.” At the end of the Bachillerato, the Selectividad, a big evaluation test that selects students depending on the available places in the different universities and on the grades achieved in the Selectividad exam. After the Bachillerato there are also Ciclos Formativos de Grado Superior, as for non-university professional education.
* Education system in Latin America
Since the education systems in Latin America change from one country to another and we don’t know them well, we would greatly appreciate any kind of contribution. Please, send us an email with some information about the education system in your country and we will be pleased to include it in this section. Write to:
contact@planete-durable-solidaire.org
Thank you very much.
.