Describe the French Education System?

First you have "maternelle" (like kindergarten) from 3yrs old until 5/6yrs. It's composed of three levels (1st yr to 3rd yr).

Then it's "茅cole primaire" (elementary school, grade school): from 6yrs old to 10/11yrs. 4 levels:CP, Ce1, Ce2, Cm1 and Cm2. From this on, school in compulsory until 16 yrs old.

Then you have "coll猫ge" (if you're American, it corresponds to 6th grade until 9th grade) kids end up coll猫ge around 15 yrs old. At the end of "coll猫ge", pupils take their first big test called "brevet des coll猫ges" which is a middle school graduation with 3 topics (French, Maths and History/Geography)

Last you have "lyc茅e" it would correspond to grade 1Oth to 12th.
At the end, around 17 or 18yrs old, you need to get your "baccalaur茅at" (high school graduation).

After "lyc茅e", there are superior studies, at university, preparatory classes, medicine classes....

This is a general view of the system if you have more questions, you can contact me and ask me.
;)

Sadly, based on recent history, I expect that it consists of the following courses:

1. How to wave a white flag in the face of adversity.

2. How to cower to terrorists.

3. How to betray the brave ideals for which brave Frenchmen of other eras fought and died.

4. How to build sick little cars that can't even keep up with traffic on US highways.

5. How to let a long-standing bastion of Catholicism become overrun by infidels.

My daughter is in the French Education system, currently in CM1. Fabee's answer is totally correct. I just wanted to add that I find the French schools much stricter and more disciplined than the schools in North America. Students are expected to take their education seriously, and expected to study.

To add to Fabee's answer which just says the names of years I would like to add that the French educational system is quite rigorous and detailed at the high school level (maybe even earlier). When you are in high school pick a path similar to a major in college but less specialized.

My husband chose litterature and besides lots of reading and writing his Lit. exam for the bac consisted of an oral exam where the examiner could ask him about any of the authors they'd studied! In addition he had to take a number of philosophy courses. Other options include economics, science, etc. There are also less academic tracks i.e. prepping to be a chef, mechanic, etc.

Also you're required to learn English and at least one other language.

I couldn't have said it better than Fabee!! =]