What Is High School Called in France? A Simple Yet Surprising Answer

The French Equivalent of High School: It’s Called “Lycée”

So, let’s cut to the chase — high school in France is called “lycée.”
That’s it. Simple, right? But don’t be fooled — the system around it is a bit different from what you might expect if you’re used to the American or British school systems.

In France, lycée covers the last three years of secondary education, typically for students aged 15 to 18. It comes after collège, which is the equivalent of middle school or junior high.

And yes, it all sounds very classy in French.

The Three Years of Lycée

Seconde (10th grade)

This is the first year of lycée — not to be confused with "second" in English. It’s more of a transition year, where students start to explore their interests and prepare for more specialization later.

Think of it like a foundation year. You do some math, literature, science… all the basics, but at a more serious level than collège.

Première (11th grade)

Here’s where things get intense. Students choose a specialization track, also known as "filière" (more on that in a minute). Subjects become more focused, and the pressure starts building toward the final year.

It’s also when you start preparing for the Baccalauréat — aka the French high school diploma. Spoiler: it’s way more complicated than just passing a few exams.

Terminale (12th grade)

The final year. The big one. The year of the bac (short for baccalauréat). Students study their chosen subjects in depth and take final exams that determine if they graduate and where they can go for university.

It’s tough. French teens drink a lot of coffee around this time.

Types of Lycée: General, Technological, and Vocational

Lycée Général

This is the classic route — meant for students aiming for university studies in fields like humanities, sciences, economics, etc.

There used to be streams like L (literary), S (scientific), and ES (economic), but that changed recently. Now students pick subject combinations (like math + history + physics) instead of rigid tracks.

Lycée Technologique

A more practical version of general lycée, focused on applied sciences, management, design, and other specialized areas. Still ends with the bac, but geared more toward specific careers or short-term higher education.

Lycée Professionnel (Vocational)

This one's for students who want to learn a trade — think mechanics, hospitality, hairdressing, etc. It includes internships and leads to a vocational bac, or sometimes a CAP/BEP diploma.

Not less than general lycée, just different.

What Happens After Lycée?

The Baccalauréat: More Than Just a Diploma

The bac isn’t just a high school exit exam — it’s a rite of passage. It tests students across several subjects, with written and oral components. You need it for university, and it’s high-stakes.
Pass it? You’re in. Fail it? You might have to repeat Terminale. Ouch.

Oh, and if you’ve ever heard a French person say “J’ai eu mon bac !” — trust me, they’re not bragging, they’re surviving.

Pathways after lycée

Depending on their bac and their scores, students can go to:

• Université (public universities)

• Classes préparatoires (for elite schools – super competitive)

• IUT or BTS (technical 2-year programs)

• Grandes écoles (think Ivy League but French-style)

So yeah… lycée is just the beginning.

Conclusion: So What Is High School Called in France?

To wrap it up: high school in France is called “lycée”, and it’s more than just a name. It’s a system that’s structured, demanding, and deeply tied to the student’s future education path.

Whether you’re moving to France, studying abroad, or just curious — now you know that lycée isn’t just a pretty French word. It’s a whole different academic world. And honestly? Kinda fascinating.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.