So, what about credits? 

Your host school abroad will not provide high school credit. All credit must be granted through your home school in the U.S. or Canada. All U.S./Canadian schools have different policies. 

In France, we cannot guarantee your host school will provide you an official transcript. If your school will not, some host schools will provide documentation, letters, and any other materials you require upon request. You must have good behavior, attendance, and performance in order for the school to fulfill this request.  

Then, you should take this documentation back to your home school as proof of your participation in the program. Your home school is responsible for awarding you credit for this program or not.  

Before You Go Abroad

You should meet with your U.S./Canadian high school before you leave and share the general curriculum guidelines for France with your guidance counselor and/or teachers.  

Because the curriculum will vary by school and we cannot guarantee you’ll take any specific classes, it is important that you arrange the required classes required for your graduation, such as U.S. History, before or after your time abroad.  

You will be provided information about the general curriculum for your age level in France, but you will not know your course schedule until after you arrive in country and start attending school.  

Once You’re Abroad

Again, it is the student’s responsibility to request evaluation of academic performance or transcripts from the host school. Please keep in mind that the grading system in France is different than the US, and some host schools will not grant grades or transcripts as it is too difficult to evaluate your work due to the language barrier. If your host school is able to award you grades, they won’t be an exact match to what you would get in the US.

What to know about attending a French high school:

• Since early 2019, most public high schools have become more specialized. Some are more scientifically oriented, while other are more focused on humanities. We place students in high schools that are the most efficient option and easiest in terms of public transportation from your host family.
  • We cannot guarantee enrollment in a specific specialized high school, but we can take your preferences. It is always up to the local high school board to accept the international student.
• There are 3 trimesters (3 month grading periods) per school year, starting in September.
• Most French state schools are now operating on a four day week with Wednesday remaining free and school on Saturdays, but it depends on the lycée. Students can go to school on Wednesday and/or Saturday depending on the policies of the particular school.
• A school day in France generally begins at 8:00 am, at noon there is a 1 1⁄2 to 2-hour lunch break, and the day ends at 5:00 or 6:00 pm. (The actual start and finish times will vary according to each local school.)
• You’ll have Physical Education 2-4 hours a week. Some schools will also offer special sports clubs.
• Academics are the focus of the program. We encourage students to become involved in hobbies and sports, but you’ll find that teens in France have less autonomy in general than other countries. Social life happens more often within the classroom rather than outside of school.

There are three grade levels in the French high school or lycée:

• Classe de Seconde (10th grade, 15-16 y. old) 
  Students in this grade have a set curriculum and do not choose any electives.
• Classe de Première (11th grade, 16-17 y. old)
  Students in this grade have compulsory subjects and choose three electives.
• Classe de Terminale (12th grade, 17-18 y. old)
  Students in this grade have compulsory subjects and choose two electives.