ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
From 6 years old to 11 years old : CP, CE1, CE2, CM1, CM2 (Year 2 to Year 6).
Class hours:
8 a.m. to 2.30 p.m from Monday to Friday.
Except on WEDNESDAYS, classes end at 12.00 p.m.
The National Curriculum for the primary school defines for each educational domain the knowledge and skills to be attained within each cycle;
it indicates annual benchmarks around which learning sequences in French and in Mathematics can be organized. It does, however, leave the choice of method and approach free:a sign of the confidence placed in teachers to adapt the curriculum to their students’ needs.
In this context, the teachers offer support to all students, particularly those who encounter difficulties, by personalizing learning support, ensuring school success for everyone.
The primary school curriculum specifies the content of core knowledge which all students must acquire. Regular evaluations by the teachers ensure assessment of the knowledge acquired by students and their level; they will contribute to the validation of the intermediary stages of the mastery of the Common Base of Knowledge and Skills. They are sent to the families and encourage useful dialogue to monitor the children’s schooling.
The Primary School Cycles
School is compulsory for all students from six to sixteen years of age. The Primary School is made up of the Kindergarten and the Elementary School. Most children start kindergarten at three years of age. They learn to live together, express themselves and prepare to start CP at six years of age. CP is the first class in the Elementary School which goes up to the CM2 class. Normally the students spend five years in the elementary school. The Primary School is organized into three learning cycles:
• The Early Learning Cycle (Petite, Moyenne and Grande sections of the Kindergarten);
• The Basic Learning Cycle (Grande section of the Kindergarten, CP and CE1);
• The Consolidation Cycle (CE2, CM1 and CM2)
The organization in cycles of several years ensures each student’s rhythm is taken into account. Studies are spread over twenty-four hours per week plus two additional hours for language learning, Monday morning to Friday afternoon. Two hours per week are set aside for personalized learning support for children encountering difficulties.
SCHEDULE
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School hours in the morning | 8am – 11.30am | 8am – 11.30am | 8am – 12pm | 8am – 11.30am | 8am – 11.30am |
| Number of school hours in the morning | 3h30 | 3h30 | 4h00 | 3h30 | 3h30 |
| Lunch time | 11.30am – 12.30pm | 11.30am – 12.30pm | 11.30am – 12.30pm | 11.30am – 12.30pm | |
| School hours in the afternoon | 12.30pm – 2.30pm | 12.30pm – 2.30pm | 12.30pm – 2.30pm | 12.30pm – 2.30pm | |
| Number of school hours in the afternoon | 2h00 | 2h00 | 2h00 | 2h00 | |
| Total of class hours per day | 5h30 | 5h30 | 4h00 | 5h30 | 5h30 |
| Number of class hours per week | 26 hours | ||||
| complementary educational activity or homework assistance (optional) | 2.45 – 3.45pm | 2.45 – 3.45pm | 2.45 – 3.45pm | 2.45 – 3.45pm | |
| After school activities | 2.45 – 4.15pm | 2.45 – 4.15pm | 1pm – 2.30pm | 2.45 – 4.15pm | 2.45 – 4.15pm |
SCHOOL SUBJECTS (CP-CE1-CE2 / Year 2-3-4)
| School subjects | Yearly hours | Weekly hours |
|---|---|---|
| French | 360 hours | 10 hours |
| Maths | 180 hours | 5 hours |
| Modern languages | 126 heures | 3h30 |
| Sports | 108 hours | 3 hours |
| Arts | 72 hours | 2 hours |
| Moral and civic education | 90 hours | 2h30 |
| TOTAL | 936 hours 26 hours | |
SCHOOL SUBJECTS (CM1-CM2 / Year 5 - Year 6)
| School subjects | Yearly hours | Weekly hours |
|---|---|---|
| French | 288 hours | 8 hours |
| Maths | 180 hours | 5 hours |
| Modern languages | 126 heures | 3h30 |
| Sports | 108 hours | 3 hours |
| Arts | 72 hours | 2 hours |
| history and Geography | 72 hours | 2 hours |
| Moral and civic education | 90 hours | 2h30 |
| TOTAL | 936 hours 26 hours | |