Middle School.
A dynamic, vibrant and stimulating Middle School.
Concordia School Paris is a bilingual middle school in Paris lying between Primary School — where the child starts their educational tract — and Lycée, where academic choices and examinations take form. It is a decisive stage during which young adolescents change considerably — physically, intellectually, and emotionally.
Surrounded by unfiltered images and information, adolescents need clear reference points and a strong command of the fundamentals to understand the world around them and develop independence, social awareness, and responsibility. Our educational approach combines high academic ambition with the development of each student’s personality, character, and independence.
Life in Middle School is enriched throughout the year by lectures, academic competitions, interdisciplinary projects, trips, artistic productions, debates, and international events. These experiences give meaning to learning and encourage students to engage fully in school life.
Two languages, two ways of thinking.
The two languages of instruction in Middle School are French and English. Lessons are taught by native-speaking teachers, in an environment designed for bilingual students who are able to move confidently between two languages, two cultures, and two intellectual traditions.
This dual expectation goes beyond language proficiency: it develops genuine flexibility of thought. Students learn to express an idea precisely in one language, nuance it in another, and understand that references, modes of argument, and ways of reasoning may vary from one culture to another.
This daily practice of French and English enriches their expression, strengthens their confidence, and teaches them to shift perspective — an essential skill for thinking with subtlety in an increasingly international academic and professional environment.
A double curriculum, two qualifications.
We follow both the French National Curriculum and the Cambridge International Curriculum. This pathway gradually prepares students for both the French and the UK’s national qualifications at the end of Middle School.
The Brevet des collèges
The Diplôme National du Brevet is the French national examination that marks the end of Middle School, taken in Troisième (Year 10). The international section we offer assesses the knowledge and skills acquired through five written papers: French, mathematics, history-geography, science and English, and two oral examinations in English (literature and history).
The Brevet confirms the mastery of the common core of knowledge, skills and culture, and represents an important stage before entering Lycée. It is organised and awarded by the French Ministry of Education and recognised throughout France.
The IGCSEs
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education or “IGCSE” corresponds to the examinations at the conclusion of Middle School in the British system, and are usually taken at the age of 16 across a range of chosen subjects.
IGCSEs are based on the British curriculum and assess knowledge, deep subject understanding, analytical skills, and written expression.
They are administered by Cambridge Assessment International Education and provide the academic foundation for the British pathway before A Levels or other international programmes.
Going Beyond. The Thinking and Leadership Programme.
A central pillar of the Middle School journey. From 6ème (Year 7) to 3ème (Year 10), this programme progressively supports students in developing the intellectual, methodological, and interpersonal skills that have become essential in a rapidly changing world.
Reason and analyse
Reasoning, learning methods, argumentation, and the ability to analyse information with discernment.
Debate and argue
Public speaking, debate, oratory and rhetoric. Our LAMDA partnership, public speaking workshops, and oral presentations build fluency and ease.
Media, AI and citizenship
Understanding the issues raised by media and artificial intelligence, source verification, awareness of misinformation, and ethical thinking.
Leadership and civic engagement
Model United Nations, diplomatic simulations, collaboration and the taking of civic responsibility.
Through debates, interdisciplinary projects, diplomatic simulations, public speaking workshops, Model United Nations and oral presentations, students gradually develop intellectual independence, confidence, analytical skills and leadership.
This programme naturally supports preparation for the IGCSE and International Baccalaureate (IB) pathways, while educating students to think with nuance, communicate with precision, and act responsibly in demanding academic and international environments.
Maths, science and reasoning.
Maths and science play a fundamental role in a student’s intellectual formation. They teach students to reason with precision, formulate hypotheses, analyse data, and build well-argued responses to complex problems. At a time when artificial intelligence, technology, and science are reshaping our societies, the ability to understand, model, and question reality is more important than ever.
Students develop these skills in Middle School through maths, experimental science, programming, robotics, and STEM projects. They learn to observe, test, compare different strategies, and explain their reasoning clearly. This intellectual rigour builds their confidence and gives them the tools to approach new situations with method and creativity.
Academic and scientific competitions — Kangourou, AMC8, Concours Castor Informatique, Algorea — extend this ambition with stimulating challenges that value logic, perseverance, and the habit of effort.
Literature, languages and humanities.
In a world profoundly transformed by artificial intelligence, we believe that the humanities matter more than ever. Reading a text closely, distinguishing opinion from reasoning, understanding cultural references, arguing with rigour, and using language with precision are essential skills for the citizens of tomorrow.
At Concordia, we believe that a strong literary and humanistic culture is not in opposition to science or technology: it is its essential complement. Educating students who can think with discernment, develop critical judgement, understand the complexity of the contemporary world and engage in thoughtful dialogue will form the basis of the great educational challenges of the decades ahead.
Students are therefore regularly asked to debate, analyse, write, speak in public, and test their ideas in both languages. This intellectual expectation nurtures their confidence, curiosity, and ability to think independently.
Arts, sport and cultural life.
Life in Middle School extends well beyond the classroom. It is shaped by a rich artistic, sporting and cultural programme, giving students myriad opportunities to explore their talents, take initiative, and engage in collective projects.
Music, drama, visual arts, dance, creative workshops, sports competitions, cultural visits, and international events all play an important part in the students’ experience. These activities are not simply additions to the academic programme: they help young people build confidence, develop creativity, strengthen their sense of teamwork, and learn to push themselves.
School trips, cultural visits in Paris, and international projects broaden students’ horizons. They discover other cultures, learn to find their place in the world, and build memories that remain an important part of their school journey.
Everything you need to know.
A phone-free school day
To support concentration, conversation, and community life, all mobile phones are banned at school.
Only basic brick phones — without internet access or a touchscreen — are permitted, and must remain at our Reception.
The uniform
The uniform is compulsory. It helps create a strong sense of belonging.
The uniform consists of a blazer, a white polo shirt, a skirt or trousers. A specific uniform is required for sports activities.
The calendar
We follow the French national school holiday calendar for Zone C — Paris.
Exact holiday dates are communicated to families at the beginning of the school year.
Apply for Middle School.
Our Admissions team will be pleased to introduce you to the Middle School educational project.