Guide to French School Education
7. French Primary School - Ecole Primaire
7.1. Class Structure of French Primary Schools
Children attend primary school from the year in which they reach the age of 6 years old. It is possible to enrol a younger child if the school considers the child is ready to benefit from the experience, and a place is available.
The school week is 24 hours, attended over 4 or 4.5 days a week, as determined by the school. Most schools have opted for 4 days, leaving Wednesday free. Since 2008, attendance at school on a Saturday morning, which used to be so much of a feature of schooling in France, has been abolished.
The basic class structure is as follows:
Table: Class Structure
| Age | Class |
|---|---|
| 6-7 | Cours Préparatoire (CP) |
| 7-8 | Cours Elémentaire (CE1) |
| 8-9 | Cours Elémentaire (CE2) |
| 9-10 | Cours Moyen (CM1) |
| 10-11 | Cours Moyen (CM2) |
Next: Enrolment
Back: Nursery Schools
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