Schooling and Education in France

The education system in France: information includes all the stages from crèche to pre-primary, primary and secondary education and international schooling...

Education in France is compulsory for children aged six to sixteen. State (public) education is free, secular with mixed-sex classes. Education is also available in private, fee-paying schools (which include most religion-based and international schools).

Here is information on:

• The required vaccinations
• The structure of the school year and the cantine, or school lunch
• Detailed information on pre-school facilities and enroling in primary education, the structure of secondary education, collège and the diploma, the brevet, and the lycée and baccalaureate qualifications)
• Special needs education in France, international schooling and the national policy on home schooling in France
• Guidelines on what to do about bullying and violence in the classroom and school with links to the Department of Education website and French Government information on schooling