Frequently Asked Questions
Registration
Do parents need to speak French?
NO,
It is not essential to have French-speaking parents in order to successfully complete their schooling in a French lycée. For the vast majority of families who entrust their children to us, French is not their mother tongue. Being French-speaking facilitates schooling, but it is by no means a prerequisite.
This characteristic is also found in many other French high schools abroad, without it being an obstacle to the students’ academic excellence.
Is it possible to access the school during primary or secondary school?
YES.
For all students, even those who do not speak French, the adaptation process is gradual and individualized. When new students start learning French, they join the French language integration program, which allows them to take their first steps in our school. The courses are aimed at children from the first year of primary school. Non French-speaking students currently attending the Lycée Français de Bilbao have no problem studying in French thanks to this support system.
This program, which usually lasts two years, gives students access to the basic skills necessary to follow an education in the French language. To ensure the success of its students, the Lycée Français de Bilbao works in partnership with the Institut Français, and invites families who need it to sign their children up for a session of French classes to accelerate the language learning process.
Is it necessary for one of the parents to be of French nationality?
NO,
The French Lycée is open to all, whatever the nationality of the parents.
Teaching and learning
What are the educational programs and contents offered at the Lycée Français de Bilbao?
The programs of the French Ministry of Education are taught, with the necessary adaptations in terms of the language, culture and history of the host country. At the Lycée Français de Bilbao, in addition to Spanish, which is taught from the first year, students also learn Basque and English from kindergarten.
What are the main characteristics of French pedagogy?
At the end of compulsory education (15 years old), all children must master a set of knowledge and skills (a common foundation). The educational project is based on the progressive acquisition of these skills from kindergarten to the end of secondary school. Students are offered a differentiated education according to their needs. Throughout their schooling, students develop autonomy, a critical sense and the ability to assimilate and integrate universally recognized humanist ideas, thanks to an education that respects freedom of conscience. Students follow a system of continuous evaluation throughout their schooling, always in a positive and comprehensive manner. This evaluation validates the knowledge and skills expected throughout their progress. A periodic report is given to parents at the end of each trimester.
What do we do for students with school difficulties?
In this case, teachers use differentiated teaching methods, adapting content and methods according to the difficulties encountered. Individualized support or small group sessions are offered, which are an ideal opportunity to help students with learning difficulties.
To complement the support provided to students with learning difficulties, we work closely with families and professionals who have proven to be of great help.
How can I help my child to do his homework if I don't speak French?
Students who have attended French school since kindergarten quickly acquire autonomy and a good command of the French language in primary school. They are thus able to do their homework on their own (daily reading, memorization or practice exercises). The school also offers homework help as part of its extracurricular activities, which families can choose to accompany their child.
Does the Lyceum accept children outside of compulsory school hours?
YES,
Through its after-school activities program, developed in collaboration with the Parents’ Association (APA), the Lycée Français de Bilbao offers a wide range of sporting, creative and technological activities that provide students with additional balance and well-being, nurture their emerging passions and allow them to enjoy new experiences. Expressing themselves better, relating to others, developing their creativity, and bettering themselves are skills that students can build and develop to the fullest outside the classroom.
All activities offered by the school are supervised by experienced monitors, and are open to students from kindergarten through high school.
The center also offers a childcare service, which operates daily from 8:00 am to 5:15 pm.
Since the beginning of the 2023 school year, the Lycée Français de Bilbao has been open during vacation periods and extends the joy and pleasure of learning by offering vacation camps for students and their families. A different, rich and varied experience, with a full program of classes, creative activities and sports.
Can I contact and make an appointment with my child's teachers?
Each teacher has a professional email address. They can meet with parents as often as necessary, by appointment and outside of school hours.
Is teaching limited to the Lyceum and its classrooms?
NO.
Lycée students benefit from high quality cultural, artistic and scientific learning opportunities that are not limited to the Lycée premises. Throughout the year, the teachers organize various pedagogical visits, outings and trips for the different classes, in order to illustrate and give full meaning to the pedagogical programs and to the learning that takes place in class.
The baccalaureate and after...
What are the specialties offered at the Lycée for the baccalaureate?
Students prepare for the French baccalaureate.
We offer specialty courses in economics, English, Spanish, geopolitics, mathematics, biology, physics/chemistry, philosophy and literature, computer science.
Students obtain the French diploma and, by equivalence, the Spanish baccalaureate (bilateral Franco-Spanish agreements).
What do students do after the baccalauréat?
Each year, part of the students go to study abroad (France, United Kingdom, Canada, United States…). The others go to the schools of their choice in Spain.
To learn more about our students’ post-high school careers, visit Orientation.
Is admission to a Spanish university problematic?
NO.
Most of the students choose their career thanks to the excellent results they have obtained in the baccalauréat and the baccalauréat, which they prepare for with their teachers at the Lycée during specific classes.
Are there students who are part of large schools in France or abroad?
YES.
Every year we have students who get into the best schools in France or prestigious universities abroad. To learn more about our students’ post-baccalaureate careers, visit Orientation
What language levels do you reach at the Lycée Français de Bilbao?
International certifications in French (DELF B2 and DALF C1), English (CAMBRIDGE FIRST or ADVANCED), Spanish (CERVANTES B1 or B2, only for foreign students) or Basque and German (B1-B2) are offered to students throughout their schooling. The French, English and Spanish certifications take place at the Lycée, which is recognized as an official examination center. The cost of the French certifications is paid by the Lycée.
With the “European English” and “International French Baccalaureate” pathways, students will also have access to special mentions in the French Baccalaureate, which will accredit particular levels of proficiency in all the languages studied, French, Spanish, English, Basque or German.
Largest network in the world
Are there other French schools in Spain and in the world?
YES.
The Lycée Français de Bilbao belongs to a worldwide network of schools (the A.E.F.E. network), made up of 580 lycées offering the same educational program all over the world. There are 26 such schools on the Iberian Peninsula.
Can students transfer from one French lycée to another?
YES.
This is the strength of this unique network. Students coming from another French school have priority access to all French high schools abroad.
Are there any exchange possibilities with other schools abroad?
YES.
An exchange program between French high schools around the world (Agora ADN) allows our students to discover a new culture in another school in the network. This program also allows us to welcome students from these schools in our school, which provides an even greater openness from which all our students benefit.
Stays in other schools abroad (outside the A.E.F.E. and the French school system) are also possible. The Lycée Français de Bilbao works in close collaboration with the families involved in this type of project to ensure optimal continuity of learning.
Rates
Are there any costs other than school fees?
YES.
Each year, the lycée rents books used by its students, for which a supplement is charged to the families. In secondary school, families must also make provision for the payment of certain examination fees.
In addition, school trips and enrollment in extracurricular activities are paid by the families.
Is it possible to obtain discounts on school fees?
YES.
Children of French nationality can apply for a scholarship at the French consulate in January for the following school year(financial aid). There are also discounts for large families: 20% on school fees for the third child, 30% for the fourth and 40% for the fifth.
In addition, any new family sponsored by a family already in school is entitled to a special discount of 300 euros on tuition fees.
