France
Programming begins with pre-elementary level (ages 2-6), which prepares children for elementary school. Ecole primaire (ages 6-11) emphasizes basic academic skills.
French secondary schools, or lycees, provide a seven-year course of study leading to the French Baccalaureate examination. The youngest class, called sixieme, is roughly equivalent to sixth or seventh grade in the US and consists of 11- and 12-year-olds. The cinquieme, quatrieme, troisieme, deuxieme and premiere follow. The Brevet Etudes Premiere Cycle (BEPC) is an academic diploma awarded to students of about age 14 or 15. During the premiere (the sixth secondary year, equivalent to 12th grade in the US), students 16 or older may prepare for the first part of the Baccalaureate. The seventh secondary year, or annee philosophie, is open to French students who have passed the first Baccalaureate exam or to foreign students of similar level. At the end of this final year, equivalent to the first year of college in the US, the second part of the Baccalaureate is required for admission to a French university.
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