France has a highly organized educational system, which is
divided into primary, secondary and tertiary (college)
education. Primary and secondary education is usually imparted
at public schools although a strong network of private schools
also exists. All educational programs in France are regulated by
the Ministry of National Education. Schooling in France is
mandatory as of age 6, the first year of primary school while
secondary education consists of collège for the first four years
after primary school and the lycée for the next three years. The
baccalauréat is the end-of-lycée diploma that students must
attain and is comparable to British A-Levels and American SATs.
Students have a choice of sitting for the baccalauréat général
which is divided into 3 streams of study, the baccalauréat
technologique or baccalauréat professionnel. Higher education is
funded by the state and fees are very low. Students from low-
income families can also apply for scholarships. Academic
councils called académies are responsi