There are a couple of differences between public and private schools here in France, but not the differences I expected. Of course the main difference is that we have to pay for private school. McKala and Xenia have to go to private school . The first jr high (college) that we contacted told us that they did not have accommodations for non French speakers. The 1st counselor in the Bishopric, who is a jr high teacher, gave us the scoop. Yes just by virtue of being here in France the kids can go to school for free. If we went down town and the “superindent” of the schools told a school that they will admit our kids the. They must admit the kids. However, the superintendent most likely would put them in a school which has a program for refugees and immigrants. Brother Letour’s school has the program and he said it is not the best environment for kids to learn anything let alone French. So he recommended private schools. Yes we will pay but the cost 30€ a month. The teachers and the school are all paid the same as if they were a public school. They have to teach the same material and everything. The only difference is that they have a little extra money so they can have smaller classrooms and I think they can be more selective in whom they admit. Jr. High is an important time. By the time the kids leave they should have a definite idea what it is that they will do for a career. Their choice of High School will be based on what they will do. There special schools depending on career path and abilities. I asked our friend Martine if a student could insist on going to a Science High School (the highest). She assumed one could do that, bit she wasn’t sure why someone would want to. The grades one got in Jr High obviously indicated your future capabilities. It is important to note that is not uncommon for someone to retry a grade to improve
Their outcome. So in the Jr High where McKala goes they have kids who are 17 Yeats old. We are considering putting Miranda in Jr High If we can’t get her in anywhere else.