RIVERS TO CROSS

Hello again dear language assistant,

Please find below information about the French school system which is exactly the same as the one followed here in Guadeloupe.

Hoping this might be of use to you.

A) “L’École Maternelle” = Preschool in France (Not Compulsory)

• La petite section de maternelle ou PS (3 ans) = Nursery.
• La moyenne section de maternelle ou MS (4 ans) = Pre-K (Reception UK)
• La grande section de maternelle ou GS (5 ans) = Kindergarden (Year 1 )

B) “L’École Primaire” = French Elementary School (Compulsory)

• Cours préparatoire ou CP (6 ans) = 1st Grade (Year 2 UK).
• Cours élémentaire 1re année ou CE1 (7 ans) = 2nd grade (Year 3 UK).
• Cours élémentaire 2e année ou CE2 (8 ans) = 3rd grade (Year 4 UK).
• Cours moyen 1re année ou CM1 (9 ans) = 4th grade(Year 5 UK).
• Cours moyen 2e année ou CM2 (10 ans) = 5th grade (Year 6 UK).

B) Le Collège = French Middle School, From 11 to 16 Years Old (Compulsory)

• La sixième (11 ans) = 6th grade (Year 7 UK).
• La cinquième (12 ans) = 7th grade (Year 8 UK).
• La quatrième (13 ans) = 8th grade (Year 9 UK).
• La troisième  (14 ans) = 9th grade (Year 10 UK).

The collège ends with a test called “le brevet“ or "DNB" (Diplôme National du Brevet)

Best regards,

Pascal Jarvis 

and the English team