Students attend a local French secondary school the same way French students do. There is also the option of taking an Intensive French course prior to this for those who want to brush up on their skills.

The school is chosen jointly by the host family and the local coordinator (usually the same school as the children of the host family, but the students' academic records are also taken into account in the choice). The local representative will contact with the school officials in order to place the student in a school and class best suited to their individual requirements. Students are sometimes placed in private schools, depending on the area and availability in the local lycees. We will ensure the school chosen is the best for the students according to their geographical location and quality parameters.

School Year

There are 3 trimesters(3 month grading periods) per school year, starting in September(official national date). School holidays dates vary according to the placement area. Most French state schools are now working to the four day week with Wednesday remaining free and no school on Saturdays but it depends on the lycee.

Students can go to school on Wednesday and/or Saturday mornings. A school day in France is long. There is a 1 and a half to 2 hour lunch break as the day ends at 5pm and sometimes 6pm. The actual start and finish times will vary according to each local school, time-table provided by the school and should be checked with the school.

Grade Levels

There are three grade levels in the French High School (Lycee).

• Classe De Seconde(15-16 year olds – Transition Year students in Ireland).

Required subjects in this level are: French literature, 2 foreign languages, history and geography, maths, physics and chemistry, biology, economics.

• Classe De Premiere(16-17 year olds – 5th Year students in Ireland).
  

In this level, students are enrolled in one of the following sections: Literature, Economics, or Sciences.

• Classe De Terminale(17-18 year olds – Leaving Cert/6th Year Students In Ireland)

In this level, students are focused on taking the baccalureat test and spend a lot of time in study hall preparing their subjects of specialisation(literature,economics or sciences). Students are very rarely registered in this section.

Other information

Students cannot choose their subjects, they are imposed according to the selected section(see Premiere for reference). Students will receive a formal transcript of the programme, but it is up to them to get this before the programme ends. Foreign language teachers will always do their best to help the students. Each student is also assigned to a representative. Students are normally placed in Seconde and Premiere(Literature and Economics section). Extra tutoring is available privately, the cost is normally approximately €20 per lesson, in the teachers home. All French schools are mixed. Private schools follow catholic values but are non-practicing.

Intensive French Language Course

This language course is particularly recommended for students who might not feel confident enough joining the Academic Programme right upon arrival and who also wish to improve their language skills before participating in the Academic Programme. It is also strongly recommended for students who might not be accepted on to the Programme due to a low level of French.
The particularity of this programme lies in the specific preparation of students for integration into the French school system. The different classes help the students gain knowledge of the language and culture, facilitating adaptation to the French way of life.

The language programme consists of:

• 4 weeks of 21 hours per week of French tuition, which includes an introduction to the French way of life, study vocabulary, literature, civilisation and one cultural activity per week. A native French teacher specialising in teaching French as a foreign language will give the lessons. This programme takes place at our language school in Paris.

• Placement with a selected volunteer and unpaid host family in the Paris area during the 4 weeks of the programme as well as assistance of an area representative(half board during the week – full board at the weekends).

Dates:

The Language course starts at the beginning of the Academic Programme(In September or in January) and lasts 4 weeks. Students are transferred to their definitive host community after that period.

Additional Information:

The students attending the language course will need to budget approximately €160 to purchase a Parisian transport pass “La Carte Orange” and about €10 per day to have lunch(possibility to have lunch at the language school). Transport and lunches (during the week) are not included.