French vs American High Schools: 10 Major Differences

Read time  |  5 min

I thought I would switch up today's post by taking a look at French and American high schools! As someone who has both attended French high school and worked as an English prof for a couple of years, I'm here to give you the key differences (I've seen) between American and French schools.

Class schedule
French students have much longer days in class compared to American students. They usually start around 8 AM and often don't finish their school day until 5 PM. However they often get 1-2 hours for lunch.

School lunches
The French students will complain, but wow their school lunches are great! They get a little salad/starter dish, some sort of entree of meat/fish with vegetables, glass of water, baguette, and a delish pastry/dessert. I must say the quality is pretty darn good too! Now look to an American school lunch...yikes. 0_o Usually a questionable sandwich, lots of starch, roll/fries, maybe piece of fruit and carton of milk.

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This dessert was from my actual school lunch in France several years ago. 

Long lunch
In France, often students get at least an hour, but I've seen 2 hours as a break for lunch. Therefore, some walk home, and eat lunch with family, eat in the cantine, or go to a nearby cafe for lunch. I think it shows how much the French culture, as a whole, places value on eating well and enjoying the food you're putting into your body. Unlike the US, where we grab something quick, eat, then go back to work/school.

Substitute teachers
These don't exist in France! If your teacher/prof is absent, then no class!

Source: Google Images

Sports + school spirit
American schools go crazy for school spirit! From pep rallies, face paint, band, cheerleaders, big sporting events...France doesn't quite show the same "enthusiasm" for spirit in school. Many students are in awe of the American high school and all the "fun" activities they offer. Students still play sports, but it's usually on a team outside of school. As for school colors or mascot? Yeah, forget that...that's not a thing in France!

The biggest school spirit you might see? In many regions across France, 100 days before the final exam period for the BAC, students dress up in costumes. This is known as percent or père cent. It's a fairly modern tradition to celebrate the end of high school. However, I never understood why it's BEFORE exams and not after lol! It honestly reminds me of Halloween! Take a look below :)

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Prom
Along with school spirit comes the dance seen in every typical, American, high school movie...prom! The guy asking the girl in a showy way, the big football game before, crowning prom queen and king...it's always the question any American gets with high school students in France, "is it really like that??" Yup.

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Choosing a "major" in high school
At age 15 or 16 (or even now lol) did you know what career you wanted? Well in France, you have to choose between a literature, science, or ES (more general studies) path or vocational when you get to high school (which is grades 10-12). This determines what type of schooling you'll do in the future; rather that be a preparatory school for engineering or a university etc.

Where as in American high school, all students take the same core classes plus some extra electives/classes of their choosing. This gives students more chances to explore interests and not be on such a set track. Though honestly, there are advantages to each system!

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Grading scale
In France, they grade on a scale of 20. Often if you get a 16 that is a very good score, and it's almost impossible to get a 20. Where as in the US, you can get a 100% in a class without ("much") effort or at least some form of an A. I noticed the French schools tend to do more essay-style tests where as the US uses multiple choice. This is DEFINITELY a generalization though, as each subject and school varies some, but just what I've noticed overall as a common difference.

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Lockers
Just like the movies, American students have lockers to put their books, binders, etc. in and often decorate them with photos of friends, mirrors, locker shelves, and mini-white boards. Where as in French schools, students usually just carry their backpacks to each class.

Source: Pinterest

School busses + driving
In France, students often walk to school, take the train/metro, or get dropped off by car depending on their city/region. Not many students drive to school seeing the driving age is 18 in France. Plus it's often much more expensive to get your license (permis de conduire) and for the driver's ed school.

However, taking a look at the US, it's a BIG deal to drive to school. Usually students get dropped off by car or take the school bus until they get their driver's license. Larger cities have subways and some walk to school, but for many US towns, walking isn't super accessible.

My list could go on, but I think I summarized some major differences! Can you think of any others? Let me know below!

bisous,
Lyndi


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