Enrolling children in school
The French school system is organised by the State and covers all children aged 3 to 16. You can also explore international sections and our interactive map!
In a nutshell
- Education is compulsory for children between the ages of 3 and 16 and is overseen by the Ministry for National Education.
- There are three types of schools: public, private (under contract), and private (without a contract).
- The educational pathway is structured from pre-school through to elementary school, middle school and high school, leading to two national qualifications: middle school diploma (Brevet) and high school-leaving diploma (Baccalauréat).
- The school that is assigned depends on the family’s place of residence. The application process varies depending on the grade level, and an exemption may be requested under certain conditions.
- Enrollment during the school year is possible, depending on availability.
How is education structured in France?
The French school system is defined and managed by the Ministry for National Education, which guarantees equal access to education.
It is based on:
- 18 regional education authorities, ensuring the coherence of educational policies.
- 25 local education authorities in mainland France.
- 5 overseas education authorities.
- 18 heads of regional education authorities, who are representatives of the government.
Good to know
The overseas education authorities of Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique and Réunion operate like those in mainland France. Mayotte has had its own education authority since January 1, 2020.
Compulsory education in France
Education is compulsory for all children residing in France between the ages of 3 and 16. Some schools also accept children under the age of three.
Some schools offer international sections or bilingual education. You can view our interactive map for further information.
What are the different types of schools?
Public schools
These are state-run schools. The curriculum, teachers and day-to-day running are the responsibility of the Ministry for National Education.
Private schools under contract
These are linked to the state by a contract.
- The curriculum must meet national requirements.
- Teachers are paid by the state.
- Local authorities contribute to the funding.
Private schools without a contract
These are subject to regular inspections.
- Teaching staff must have the required qualifications.
- Teaching must meet the minimum educational standards set out by law.
How to enroll a child in pre-school and elementary school?
- Pre-school (Maternelle – 3 to 5 years old)
Aim: To develop social skills and early learning.
- Petite section (3 years old).
- Moyenne section (4 years old).
- Grande section (5 years old).
Children develop oral language skills, discover written language, numbers and basic concepts.
- Elementary school (École élémentaire – 6 to 10 years old)
Aim: To acquire fundamental knowledge.
- CP/ First grade (six years old).
- CE1 /Second grade (seven years old).
- CE2 /Third grade (eight years old).
- CM1 /Fourth grade (nine years old).
- CM2 /Fifth grade (10 years old).
The curriculum focuses primarily on mastering writing (French) and mathematics, as well as the fundamentals of science, art and civic education.
Enrolling a child in a public pre-school or elementary school takes place at the town hall of your place of residence.
The town hall:
- Indicates the assigned school based on the family’s address.
- Completes the administrative procedures.
- Issues an enrollment certificate.
This certificate must then be presented to the school principal to finalize the child’s admission.
Enrollment can be completed during the school year, subject to availability.
For private schools, you must contact the school directly.
How to enroll a child in middle school?
- Middle school (Collège – 11 to 14 years old)
Aim: To consolidate knowledge and preparation for future academic and career choices.
- 6ème / Sixth grade (11 years old): Adaptation and study methods.
- 5ème & 4ème / Seventh and eighth grades (12 – 13 years old ): In-depth learning.
- 3ème / Ninth grade (14 years old): Career guidance and preparation for the national middle school diploma exam.
Students begin learning foreign languages.
Qualification awarded: Middle school diploma (Brevet).
The assigned middle school is determined by the regional education authority, based on the student’s home address. Enrollment takes place directly with the school in question, after it has been assigned.
Enrollment during the school year is possible, depending on the school’s capacity.
For private middle schools, you must contact the schools directly.
- Middle school enrollment (Ministère de l’Education)
- Middle school enrollment (Service public)
- Enrolling a child in middle school from abroad
How to enroll a child in high school?
- Hight School (Lycée – 15 to 17 years old)
Aim: To develop specialisms and prepare students for the high school-leaving diploma.
The general stream includes:
- Seconde/ 10th grade (15 years old): Year of exploration.
- Première /11th grade (16 years old): Advanced study.
- Terminale/ 12th grade (17 years old): Final preparation for the high school-leaving diploma exam.
The technological stream includes:
- Laboratory Science and Technology (STL).
- ScienceandTechnology of Industry and Sustainable Development (STI2D).
- Science and Technology of Applied Arts and Design(STD2A).
- BusinessManagement and Technology (STMG).
- Health and Social Sciences and Technology (ST2S).
- Science and Techniques of Theater,Music and Dance (S2TMD).
- Hospitality and Catering.
- Science and Technologies of Agronomy and LivingOrganisms(STAV).
Qualification awarded: High school-leaving diploma (Baccalauréat)
Good to know
The binational sections in France enable students to take the French school-leaving diploma, as well as its foreign equivalent. Click here for more information.
Enrollment requests should be submitted to the head of the school.
- For public high schools, the regional education authority assigns the student to a school.
- For private schools under contract with the state, the procedures are specified by the school.
Enrollment during the school year is possible, subject to availability.
What is international education?
International sections (partnerships established between France and foreign countries) may be offered in public or private schools under contract.
They allow for the integration of students of all nationalities into the French education system by offering bilingual and bicultural training.
International sections exist at all levels of education: elementary, middle and high school.
Eighteen languages and cultures are represented, with American, Arabic, Australian, Brazilian, British, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish sections.
For more information, you can consult the map of international schools to see where they are located across France.
At a glance
This page explains how to enrol employees’ children in school in France and how to find schools offering foreign-language teaching, such as English, Korean, German, Spanish or Arabic. It is based on institutional sources such as the French Ministry of National Education, Service-public.fr and Business France. It presents information covering the organisation of the French school system, types of schools, enrolment procedures by education level and foreign-language teaching options. It uses the example of an expatriate employee in France enrolling their child in a school according to their age and place of residence, while seeking English-language teaching.