A plain-English guide to the most common international school curricula, what they are, how they work, and which might suit your family best.
Curriculum guide
By Giulia Ceccon · Chief Marketing Officer
French international schools follow the French Ministry of Education curriculum from maternelle (3+) through to the baccalauréat at 18, often accredited by the AEFE (Agence pour l'enseignement français à l'étranger). The bac is internationally recognised and the curriculum is taught primarily in French, with English typically introduced early and intensified through the secondary years.
French preschool — a warm, structured environment focused on language, socialisation and early foundations. Immersion works well for younger children with little or no French.
Primary and lower-secondary. National curriculum with strong emphasis on French language, maths and philosophy foundations. Collège ends with the Diplôme National du Brevet.
Since the 2021 reforms, the bac spans the last two years. A common core plus specialty subjects (spécialités). Grades out of 20; anything above 14 is considered strong.
French
Many French schools abroad run sections internationales — bilingual streams that layer additional English-medium subjects onto the French curriculum, and some offer the Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB). For non-French speakers, FLS (Français Langue Seconde) support is usually offered in the early years.
Is French right for your child?
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