We aim to give each of our students the opportunity to fulfil their potential, creating determined, independent and responsible global citizens who respect social values. Heads of campus and the French stream
Students in the French stream follow the French national curriculum set and accredited by the Ministry of Education, from kindergarten through to Terminale. Students are taught according to the same principles, curricula and education system as students in France, and are taught by teachers who have worked either in France or in other French international schools abroad. All this means that French stream students receive a similar education to students living in France and gain the same qualifications: the Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB) in 3ème and the French Baccalauréat in Terminale.
They share campuses with students from the international stream, which helps to create a cohesive school community. The various activities on offer also give them the opportunity to learn from and mix with other students from across our diverse community, providing cultural enrichment and improving their English language skills.
We aim to give each of our students the opportunity to fulfil their potential, creating determined, independent and responsible global citizens who respect social values. Heads of campus and the French stream
A French education with citizen and social valuesJoining the French stream will help your child strengthen their links with France and develop excellent French writing skills while also instilling in them the fundamental tenets of French and European culture. This means they will be able to interact with their French-speaking family.
Academic rigour with broad general knowledge The French stream offers a rich academic education where students are primarily taught through the medium of books and the written word. Depending on the year group and the subject, students also study in small groups. The French curriculum teaches a broad range of subjects, from modern languages and history to science and philosophy. This enables students to gain substantial general and cultural knowledge as well as critical thinking skills.
The multilingual choice Choosing the French stream means choosing an international experience. And this is a major advantage for your child’s future studies, professional and personal life. Learning French is a winning formula. Not only are there 300 million French speakers spread across the globe, but mastering French also makes learning other romance languages easier. And in addition to learning another modern language, students can choose the reinforced English programme, finishing their schooling fully bilingual, or even trilingual.
The French Baccalauréat, an internationally renowned qualification opening the doors to a plethora of higher education institutionsEach year, our recent graduates enrol in the best universities and écoles supérieures (higher education establishments) both in France, with its renowned yet affordable options, and around the world, particularly in the US, the UK and Canada. Our dedicated university guidance team helps them carefully consider their options, with students going on to study a diverse range of subjects.
Hassle-free international mobilitySince FIS is part of the AEFE (Agence pour l’enseignement français à l’étranger) network, students can continue their studies, without entry test, in a public or State-contracted private school in France or in one of the 535 AEFE schools established in 139 countries across the globe.
Kindergarten is a fundamental stage in a child’s education. The skills they gain at this young age, especially language skills, serve as building blocks for future learning.
The main goal of kindergarten is to make children want to go to school to learn, develop and express their personality.
Kindergarten provides an environment where children learn and experience together. Here, they discover the key principles of community life and begin the journey to become responsible citizens.
We take a play-based approach to learning that is adapted to suit the age and abilities of each child. Teachers promote positive assessment, where children themselves identify their accomplishments.
Our curriculum is organised around five main areas of learning:
Language learning in kindergarten
In kindergarten, we work through different teaching topics and organise related activities designed to develop these five learning areas.
At primary level, students develop key skills in literacy, numeracy and respect for others. Our progressive yet demanding teaching methods prioritise proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics, essential foundations for the next steps in your child’s education.
From primary school through to lower secondary, we help students progressively develop shared knowledge, skills and culture focusing on five key aspects:
LANGUAGE FOR THINKING AND COMMUNICATING - As part of French Schools Abroad Week, CE2 students produce a podcast discussing simple steps to help protect the planet.
LEARNING TOOLS AND METHODS - CM1 and CM2 students take part in the Castor Informatique competition, which aims to help students discover computer science and digital technologies.
DEVELOPING AS A PERSON AND A CITIZEN - FIS organises full-scale elections for class representatives (with campaigning, posters, ballot boxes and papers).
NATURAL AND TECHNICAL SYSTEMS - We set up spaces for gardening, allowing students to discover the principles of permaculture.
REPRESENTATIONS OF THE WORLD AND HUMAN ACTIVITY - Students study how fashion has changed throughout history and CE2 students organise a fashion show.Progressing to lower secondary is a significant step. Students need to adjust to a new setup in terms of timing and location, with a timetable, room changes and one teacher per subject, sometimes with differing expectations. The pace of work is also faster than in primary and students need to become increasingly independent.
In lower secondary, all subjects taught (French, Mathematics, Modern Languages, History, Geography and Citizenship, Science and Technology, Music, Art, Art History and Physical Education) draw on a common foundation of knowledge, skills and culture.
Students can choose from several English language pathways:
Language learning in lower secondary
The DNB assesses the knowledge and skills gained at the end of lower secondary as follows:
Upper secondary marks a new stage in each student’s education. Not only is the curriculum more intense, but students also need to make more specific choices about their future and prepare for their exams. Independence and organisation are key for successfully transitioning to upper secondary.
In Seconde, students will gain experience of various subjects, helping them to select their specialty subjects for Première. Beyond the common curriculum, students can choose their own combination of subjects according to their preferences and ambitions.
In Première and Terminale, all students study the common curriculum, which includes:
Students in Première choose three specialty subjects.
Then, at the end of the second term in Première, they choose two of these to carry forward into Terminale. The third and remaining subject will be assessed in the third term of Première.
Choices available depend on timetable constraints and student profiles, but options include:
Students in Terminale can also choose one or two additional optional subjects from two groups:
The American section of the BFI (Baccalauréat Français International) is the result of a partnership between the French Ministry of Education and the College Board in the USA.
The BFI combines the breadth and rigour of the French Baccalauréat with additional subjects taught and examined in English, resulting in a bilingual, bicultural diploma. BFI students take courses in English language and literature, history and geography, and Global Issues, taught from an American perspective by certified Anglophone and Francophone teachers.
The BFI is a program that aims for academic excellence, with high standards. The workload required is substantial. It represents 8 to 10 hours of teaching per week in English, 4 of which are added to the regular timetable.
The BFI enables students to obtain a university entrance qualification that is recognized both in France and internationally. It sets equal academic and linguistic standards in English and French.
Language learning in upper secondary
The French Baccalauréat assesses the knowledge and skills gained at the end of upper secondary as follows:
Baccalauréat général :
French International Baccalaureat (BFI):