International Baccalaureate
Pupils in the IB programme study six subjects in their final two years, which must include English (or their own language in other countries), a second language, maths, a science and a humanities subject. Three of the subjects are taken as highers, and three as standards, but all are examined only at the end of the two years. In addition, pupils have to write a dissertation, sit a paper on theories of knowledge and complete more than 60 hours of after-school community service.

French Baccalaureate
French pupils can elect to take a general baccalaureate, or specialist technical or professional baccalaureates, which are more vocational. The general one comes in three guises, Baccalaureate L, which focuses on literature, Baccalaureate ES with an economic and social sciences bent or Baccalaureate S a science focussed version. Between the ages of 16-17, regardless of the specific bac course they are undertaking, students will study French, history, geography, a foreign language, philosophy, maths, and science. Marks are weighted towards their specialist areas.

European Baccalaureate
The EB is awarded by the 10 European Schools of the European Union, which provide free education to the children of staff employed by EU institutions. The EB must meet the standards of the pupils’ respective countries, it is similar to the IB, with the exception that in the 13-18 years a proportion of the core subjects are taught in the pupils’ elected second language. Assessment is a combination of internal, external exams, continuous assessment and four oral exams.

US SAT system
The American Scholastic Assessment Tests (SATs) assess pupils on a continuous basis throughout their education across the range of subjects. The advantage is that universities use SATs in the applications process, an actual measure of achievement. They are being highlighted as a fairer system for those headed for higher education.

The French-American Baccalaureate
It is the combination of the best in American secondary education, namely, the Advanced Placement program in high school, and of the best in French education, the French Baccalauréat, which has achieved worldwide recognition.

The first exam session for the FBA will take place in 2011, which entails that teaching in the relevant subjects must be in place by the beginning of the 2009/2010 school year, in order to accommodate the advance exams. The AP options will not involve any extra tuition costs for families (free registration for APs).

The AP exams will be graded first according to the grading scale in effect in the United States, then the grades will be transcribed so as to be taken into account for the Baccalauréat.

The teachers responsible for the subjects preparing to this diploma will, for the French part; be highly qualified teachers recruited by the French National Education, and for the American part, College Board-trained professors.

If you want more information about the French-American baccalaureate or the French lycées which are preparing this diploma , please contact :

Soizic Charpentier
Attachée Culturelle
Head of the Education Department
Embassy of France
4101 Reservoir Road, NW
Washington, DC 20007
soizic.charpentier@diplomatie.gouv.fr