Differences Between French And American Schools

Last Updated on March 19, 2022 by QCity Editorial Stuff

The French and American schools systems are vastly different in many ways. One of the most significant differences is that French schools do not have homework while American schools often assign hours of homework to students each night, which can be difficult for children who already spend an average of 6-8 hours at school every day. The other major difference between these two countries is how their teachers are compensated; in France, teachers make about $53,000 per year on average while America pays its educators more than twice as much on average ($102,700). This means that American educators tend to be better educated because they get into teaching with a higher level of education than their French counterparts (the majority of high school graduates go straight into college instead). 

While the French and American education systems differ in some ways, there are also many similarities between them. Both of these types of educational institutions aim to provide students with knowledge and skills for their future careers as well as a foundation on which they can build throughout life. Although there are differences between French and American schools, such as how many hours students attend classes each day or what kind of sports they offer at school, both systems have the same goals in mind: preparing young people for their futures by teaching them important lessons about life.

French schools are far different than American schools. Not only is the language used in French schools very different, but they also have more of an emphasis on grammar and literature rather than math and science. Also, uniforms are mandatory in French schools while not being required at all in American ones. These cultural differences can be seen through many aspects of school life from the food students eat to which sports they play after school. 

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Comparison Between French And American Schools

Parameters of ComparisonFrench schools American schools 
Start age Age of 6 Age of 5 
Strict More strict Less strict 
Test and exam Have lots of tests and exam Less exam 
Break 30-minute break 15-minute break 
Total days 185 days 180 days 

What Is French School?

What Is French School

French education is a rigorous and competitive process that begins early in life. French children attend school from age three until they are fifteen or sixteen years old, with fewer breaks than most American students have during the year. Students spend more time studying core subjects such as math, science, history, and literature than their counterparts in America do. In addition to academic courses, French students also learn art and music throughout their educational careers. The goal of the French education system is for each child to be able to think critically about problems they encounter in real-life situations by learning various theories behind them through different mediums including writing essays and taking tests on those issues.

A French school is a great option for parents considering homeschooling their children. Many people wonder what French schooling is, and whether it will be right for them. In this blog post, I want to answer some common questions about French school and help you decide if it might be the best choice for your family. 

French School can seem like a foreign concept to many American families. If you’re wondering what French school is exactly how does it work? This blog post will give you all the details on why French schooling may be a good fit for your family, as well as some tips on how to get started in home-schooling with a Gallic flair.

10 Differences Between French And American Schools

Start: Elementary school students in France start at age 6 whereas American students typically begin at 5.

Strict: French schools are more strict about the use of cell phones, with most schools banning them altogether.

Age: In France, children typically learn to read by age 7 or 8 while in America it is not until the end of third grade.

Recess: Students in French schools do not have recess and instead spend that time studying.

Test: There are no standardized tests given to elementary school students in France. 

Lunch period: The lunch period is shorter for elementary schoolers – usually around 45 minutes rather than an hour-long break.

Break: In France, students have a 30-minute break for lunch and an hour for recess every day while in America they only get 15 minutes of both.

Total days: The average school year in France is around 185 days long with a summer vacation of two months while the average American school year is 180 days with a summer vacation of three months.

Grade: In France, there are no standardized tests or report cards because teachers grade their students based on what they know about them as individuals.

Homework: There’s no such thing as homework in French schools but there is plenty to do outside of class time.

Interesting Statistics Or Facts Of The French School

1. The French school system is ranked among the top 3 in Europe and the world.

2. France has a higher graduation rate than any other country, with 99% of students graduating from high school.

3. Students spend an average of 5 hours per day at school.

4. 90% of schools are public schools, while 10% are private (mostly Catholic).

5. Elementary schools start classes at 8 am and end around 4 pm; middle schools go until 6 pm; high schools typically go until 7 pm or later on some days. 

6. High-schoolers usually have between 1 and 2 hours of homework each night.

Interesting Statistics Or Facts Of The American School 

1. Public schools in the United States serve about 50 million students.

2. America has an average of 27 school days per year.

3. The state with the most public schools in California, with 9,000+.

4. There are approximately 3,500 public school districts in the US. 

5. In 2010-2011 there were over 1 million American high school dropouts.

6. In 2011-2012 there were 5 million teachers at public elementary and secondary schools across the country.

Conclusion About The Differences French And American Schools

French schools are more focused on the student’s intellectual development while American schools focus on providing students with job skills.  -The French system is highly centralized, whereas America has a decentralized education system. The United States federal government only sets broad guidelines for what must be taught in each state, leaving it up to individual states and school districts to decide how they want to teach their curriculum. This leads many American students to be less prepared for college than their peers overseas because of this variation in teaching methods. -This difference can lead to an increase in salary or prospects when trying to find employment later down the road as well, so if you’re interested in pursuing higher education abroad then France may offer better opportunities than America does by default without any additional steps taken on your part.

References:

Resource 01: https://www.expatica.com/fr/education/children-education/french-education-system-101147/
Resource 02: https://www.americanschoolofcorr.com/

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