Passage into Seconde

At the end of Troisième (Ninth Grade) all American Section students are expected to move up into Seconde (Tenth Grade). The FAQ below answers common questions about the “passage” from Troisième into Seconde, for students on either Middle School campus. It was written for a parent whose child is already in the American Section.

FAQ - "Passage" into Seconde at the Lycée International

What exactly is meant by the word “passage”?

What factors determine a child’s successful “passage” into Seconde?

First of all, your child should be doing well in school. His/her grades should be above average and report card comments should reveal a child who is motivated, studious and clearly ready to take on the rigors of pursuing the OIB and capable of managing eight hours of Section. If your child has a serious approach to his/her studies and does reasonably well in most of his/her subjects, then chances are s/he will earn a passage with relative ease.

I’ve been told that there are a limited number of spots for admission into Seconde, and there is preferential treatment for students who excel in the sciences. Is this true?

The American Section is extremely proud of the fact that it guarantees a place for every child currently enrolled in its Troisième classes. In other words, whether a student is at Roby or at the Lycée—s/he does NOT compete with his/her classmates for a place in Seconde. Our policy is often referred to as a “cylindrical structure” (as opposed to a “pyramidal” structure) and the Section is proud to have adhered to this policy throughout its history of overseeing the Troisième “passage.” The only reason a child may not continue his/her bilingual education at the Lycée is for academic or personal reasons

As for selecting kids with a scientific profile over those who are more literary, this is not true. The only criterion is that the child be a motivated learner, with the desire and ability to handle the workload of a bilingual education.

No one from either the French or American side has contacted me since the beginning of the year about Seconde. Should I worry?

It usually means that all is well and you have nothing to worry about. Some parents will be notified as early as Quatrième if there are concerns, but most will hear from the school in Troisième. It is a good idea to pay close attention to the comments made about your child during his/her conseil de classe. Note that the second trimester conseil de classe contains important advice about your child’s future affectation (school assignment).

If my child does poorly on the Brevet exam, will that impact his/her chances of continuing in Seconde at the Lycée?

How does the “passage” process work?

In May, the Commission d’Affectation, which handles future campus assignments, is held and in attendance will be the Proviseur of the Lycée International, the Principals of the Collège Marcel Roby and the Collège International, the Director of the American Section, and the American Section’s Middle School Principal. The file of all students who wish to continue in Seconde at the Lycée is then examined by the Proviseur. Files are then forwarded to the Rectorat in Versailles for the final decision.