When coming to France with AFS, you will study in a French school, most of you in a "lycée" and some of you in a college. French school is said to be a high level one, with strict rules, long day classes, lots of homework, few extra-curricular activities.
All this is right but there are also good points : this system offers the possibility to learn a lot in topics such as history, literature, foreign languages, no uniform is required, pupils can express themselves regarding school organization through the "Conseil de la Vie Scolaire" and there is about 10 days holiday every 2 months ! Some high schools also offer special subjects where the students may learn about drama, film and video, photography, etc.

• Kindergarten (3 to 6)

• Primary school (6 to 11)
CP - 1st grade (6 to 7) ;
CE 1 - 2nd grade (7 to 8) ;
CE 2 - 3rd grade (8 to 9) ;
CM 1 - 4th grade (9 to 10) ;
CM 2 - 5th grade (10 to 11)

• Middle school ("collège") (11 to 15)
6ème - 6th grade (11 to 12) ;
5ème - 7th grade (12 to 13) ;
4ème - 8th grade (13 to 14) ;
3ème - 9th grade (14 to 15).
At the end of 9th grade all the students take an exam called BEPC ("Brevet Elémentaire de Premier Cycle")

• High school ("lycée") (15 to 18)
- Seconde - 10th grade (15 to 16)
- Première - 11th grade (16 to 17).
At the end of 11th grade, all the students take the 1st part of the "baccalauréat" (French literature exam)
- Terminale - 12th grade (17 to 18). At the end of 12th grade, all the students take the final high school exam called "Baccalauréat" or "bac".

• Universities, Grandes écoles.

In France going to school is compulsory until 16.

There are three different levels in the French high school

• Classe de Seconde (10th grade)
This is the first year of high school.
Compulsory subjects : French literature, two foreign languages, history and geography, maths, physics and chemistry, biology, economics, sports

• Classe de Première (11th grade)
This is the year when you choose one section : L (Literature), ES (Economics), or S (Sciences) and take the 1st part of the "baccalauréat" : French literature + Sciences (if you are in L or ES)

• Classe de Terminale (12th grade)
This is the year of the final exam , the "baccalauréat" or "bac", and all the students are focused on that.
The sections are the same, with the introduction of philosophy in each section.
If you are registered in 12th grade, you have the possibility to take your "baccalauréat" and, if successful, it gives you access to French Universities.

In each grade and section, optional subjects are offered and vary from one school to another (other foreign languages, computer studies, arts, drama, etc.).

Very often there are study trips organized by the language or history teachers during the school year.

French high schools are not particularly famous for their extra-curricular activities. Since school is very demanding, with classes lasting all day and a lot of homework, sports and cultural activities are unusual within the school. Such activities usually take placed outside school, in youth clubs, arts schools, sports clubs, etc.
Nevertheless inside the school the "Foyer socio-éducatif" (Student Club) offers activities according to the students' requests. It is sometimes possible to belong to a school sports association (UNSS) which enables you to train and participate in school sports competitions.
School press is very popular in France and most "lycées" have their newspapers totally run by groups of students.

• Administration
The Principal ("Le Proviseur") is responsible for the entire school.
The Assistant Principal ("Le Proviseur adjoint") deals with the students' schooling, school schedules, registration for exams, etc.
The School Office ("L'Intendance") is in charge of the daily management of the high school.

• The so-called "School life" ("Vie Scolaire") regulates everyday life in the school.
The CPE (Conseiller Principal d'Education) supervises school attendance. You need to refer to him/her when you are absent or late.
The prefects assist the CPE ; they are graduate students who are here to facilitate your relations with the administration and teachers.

• Teaching staff
Each class has a "home-room" teacher ("Professeur Principal") who is your contact person for any schooling problem.

• School library, (" CDI " - " Centre d'Information et d'Orientation ")
This is the place where you can borrow books, read newspapers, do research for homework. You may also have access to internet at the CDI.

• School counselor ("Conseiller d'orientation / Psychologist")
They come to school several days a month to help with your progress (studies, careers, etc.)

• School nurse
This is where you get first aid for small wounds, have a rest, get help in case of psychological difficulties or information on health, lifestyles, etc.

• Student Council ("Conseil de la Vie Scolaire")
Established in 1998 this enables the pupils to give their opinion regarding the daily life and organization of the school.

The number of students in a class is between 25 and 40.
School hours are from Monday to Friday or Saturday morning, from about 8 am to noon and from 2 pm to 5 or 6 pm. Wednesday or Wednesday afternoon is usually a free day but it depends on the school.
Every other month there is 10 or 15 day holiday (in October, December, February and April), which enables you to have a break and visit other parts of France.
The French school system is very demanding and AFS students often complain about having classes until late in the afternoon and too much homework. An evaluation of each student is done regularly on each subject by means of oral or written tests; grading ranges from 0 to 20, and getting a 10 or 11 in a literary subject can be considered a good result.
But you don't need to worry : you will learn many new things, no doubt, make many friends and as far as homework is concerned, the teachers will be lenient at the beginning.