High school
All LFM classes are accredited by the French Department for Education and progressively prepare students for the Baccalaureate, the French National Diploma recognised by all universities and “Grandes Écoles” worldwide.
From Year 11 to Year 13
Year 11 (“Seconde” – age 16): orientation year
The successful transition from middle school to high school is a priority, and students are encouraged to keep their future options as open as possible.
Year 11 is designed to help students explore a wide range of subjects, including literature, economics, and sciences, to identify their strengths and ambitions.
To support students in building their personal academic plans, careers guidance is reinforced through activities focused on 2 main objectives: helping students discover the professional world and introducing students to higher education programmes and career opportunities.
Year 12 (“Première” – age 17)
Year 12 marks the beginning of specialising. In addition to a core curriculum of six subjects, students choose three specialty subjects, to which an optional elective may be added. The objective of this year is to provide students with a shared core culture while enabling them to shape their individual path towards higher education. In addition to the core curriculum, students choose three specialty subjects, to which an elective may be added.
Continuous assessment, which counts towards the Baccalaureate, begins in Year 12.
Year 13 (“Terminale” – age 18)
The French Baccalaureate is a comprehensive, national examination taken at the end of high school, upon completion of Years 12 and 13. It is the qualification required for students wishing to pursue higher education in France and internationally.
Students continue to follow a core curriculum of six subjects. The goal is to provide them with a shared academic culture and allow them to finalise their higher education career plans.
Tailored pathways starting in Year 11 (“Seconde” – age 16)
In Year 11, several sections are offered to match the profiles and ambitions of each student:
- Standard section
- European English or Spanish Sections (“SELO”)
- International Spanish section (“SI”)
Expanded pathways starting in Year 12 (“Première” – age 17)
From Year 12 onwards, students can choose from three academic pathways:
- Standard section
- European English and Spanish section (“SELO”)
- trilingual International French Baccalaureate (“BFI), or its quadrilingual version with Italian or German.
Physics-Chemistry
Mathematics
History-Geography
Life and Earth Sciences
Literature
Geopolitics
Political Science
Humanities
Philosophy
Languages
English or Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture
Engineering Science
Economics and Social Science
A wide choice of specialty subjects
The high school offers a broad range of specialties to allow each student to build a personalised and ambitious pathway.
Electives to enrich the curriculum
Starting in Year 11, students can choose electives to further develop their interests and curiosity (three hours per week):
A third modern language (“LVC,” German or Italian)
Music
Visual Arts
Drama
Latin
* Langue Vivante C (third modern language)
Advanced subjects in Year 13 (“Terminale” – age 18)
Students in their final yearmay also choose additional subjects:
Advanced mathematics
Additional mathematics
Law and major Issues of the contemporary world
These demanding and diverse pathways allow each student to thrive, develop their skills, and confidently prepare for their future in an international, multicultural, and stimulating environment.
School Life Service (“Vie scolaire”)
The School Life Service (Vie Scolaire) is a unique feature of the French education system and has no direct equivalent in other European systems. At the LFM, middle school and high school have separate student life areas.
