What You Need To Know...
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Information about the International Student Exchange to France:
*Special Offer Program: Visit PARIS in July 2013, learn the French language and explore the beautiful city of Paris. Live with a host family, participate in 1/2 day language courses instructed by an experience language instruction, and take part in activities and sightseeing in the afternoon. Students must be between the ages of 13 - 18.5 to be eligible. For pricing please see our Rates page.Short Term Group Program: Visit Paris with a group of your friends or classmates! For information about the short group program please click here!
While on an International Exchange Program students have the opportunity to learn at an international school and the "school of life" while they experience another culture, immerse themselves in the language and become a member of the host family. Begin your international experience now! Participate in an International Exchange program with YES Canada!
Information about the Student Exchange to France:
L'école in France is similar to here, in Canada. Education is compulsory for children from ages six to sixteen. The academic calendar begins in September and ends in July, with a weekly schedule of twenty-four hours of class instruction time. The school day begins at 8:30 am and ends at 16:30 pm, with two breaks in the day.
Secondary school is broken into two phases; collège for students aged 11 to 15 and lycée for ages 15 to 18. The final three years of lycéeare divided into seconde, première and terminale. This is the point at which students determine the focus or specialization of their studies; arts and literature, technology, science or social & economic studies. Final exams are known as the baccalauréat or International Option Baccalauréat and are globally recognized qualifications for university entrance.
France is a country alive with art and culture, where the joie de vive is not just a saying, but it is a way of life. The opportunities to explore and experience the incredible culture of this country will extend far beyond the school setting.
School System
- Compulsory for children age 6-16
- School year starts in early September and finishes in July
- School week is 24 hours long
- School day hours vary between regions but is generally 08:30-16:30 with two breaks
- Lunch hours vary from school to school and in general last one and a half to two hours
- Secondary education is broken into two phases. It begins with the compulsory first cycle for ages 11 to 15 at collège after which, on completion a successful scholar receives a diploma (brevet des collèges). This is followed by the post compulsory second cycle for ages 15 to 18 at a lycée
- Collège is the first cycle for scholars aged 11-15 years. On completing the CM2 cycle and receiving a brevet the pupil is ready for admission into sixième (6ème).
- Lycee - For ages 15 to 18. The final three years are the seconde, première and terminale. It is at this point that the scholar specialises in a chosen area. The final exams are the Baccalauréat (the "Bac"). The Baccalauréat and the "International Option" Baccalauréat (OIB) are globally recognised qualifications for university entrance.
- The "bac" subjects are grouped by discipline:
General bac include:
- Arts & Literature (BAC L)
- Science (BAC S)
- Social & Economic (BAC ES)
Technological bac includes:
- Science & Industrial Technologies (STI)
- Science & Laboratory Technologies (STL)
- Medical & Social Sciences (SMS)
