Putting on your new backpack, walking through the doors of the establishment for the first time, discovering the faces of your new friends… Ah, back to high school! A moment both exciting and dreaded. But before getting there, you must first know which is your local high school. Yes, as for primary school and middle school, the high school where you live depends on your school zone. This process may seem complex, but rest assured, we will help you see things more clearly.
Understanding school zones
The term “school zone” refers to the territorial division of the French education system. In other words, it is the geographical area where the student resides which determines which high school they are entitled to. The Ministry of National Education has set up these zones to fairly distribute students in different public establishments in order to guarantee everyone the same access to education.
There are two types of zones: zones of responsibility which are set by the rectorate and service zones, determined by the departmental council. These are often used for high schools. Therefore, the local high school corresponds to your service area and is where your child will normally be assigned.
Each municipality is associated with a public establishment of reference thanks to its geographical coordinates. This establishment is often closest to home but not always. The criteria may vary according to regions and departments and take into account, for example, the reception capacity of establishments or the options offered.
The path of assignments
Once you know your area high school, it is important to understand how the assignment works. As a general rule, for all third year students, the second year assignment procedure is done via a computer application called “Affelnet”.
It is the head of the establishment who informs the students’ assignment wishes and their grades after the second term. Students are then classified according to several criteria, such as the average grade obtained in the second term, the options chosen, or their place of residence.
However, it is possible to request an exemption to be assigned to another establishment. This can be granted for various reasons: follow-up of a specific option not offered in the local high school, planned moves, siblings already enrolled in the requested establishment, etc.
But be careful, obtaining an exemption is not always easy and places outside the sector are rare. In addition, school transportation is generally not covered in this case.
In conclusion
Knowing your local high school is a key step in your educational journey. This may seem complex, but in reality, you just need to understand how school zones and assignments work to navigate. And don’t forget, if the local high school does not suit you for specific reasons, requesting an exemption is always possible. Come on, we breathe, we smile, and we calmly prepare for the start of the school year!
