Courtesy of Virginie Romary
- My 9-year-old daughter is enrolled in an American public elementary school.
- The school system here differs significantly from the one in France.
- I like that it is less rigid, with many extracurricular activities and a strong sense of community.
I moved from France to the US 10 years ago. My 9-year-old daughter was born in Florida, and when it was time to enroll her in school, I chose not to enroll her in a French school. I wanted her to experience the American education system to be part of the community.
I like the school spirit here
What I appreciate most about American schools is that they function as communities, whereas in France, they are primarily places for academic instruction.
I admire how school spirit is actively promoted here. My daughter takes great pride in her school, and her favorite T-shirt features its colors. She eagerly participates in spirit weeks, dress-up days, and various entertaining events like the color run that she never wants to miss.
I also value the morning rituals in the US, including the morning announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance. Such practices do not exist in France.
My daughter feels deeply engaged with her school. She has a sense of belonging that I never experienced as a child, because my schooling focused solely on formal instruction, with no fun activities.
Americans' school days are shorter
At first, when I realized that my daughter's school finishes at 2 pm, I panicked. How was I supposed to work at the same time? However, once I organized our daily routine, I really appreciated that she had a more compact day and more time in the afternoons to focus on extracurricular activities like swimming or playing music.
Typically, in France, school days are longer, running from early morning to late afternoon, with more breaks and a longer lunch period. Wednesdays are half days or off days for the youngest, giving children time to participate in extracurricular activities they may want to take part in. However, there are no school-sponsored extracurriculars, and theater, music, or competitive sports are played in clubs outside the school system.
Often in the evening, I hear music and cheering from the football matches at the nearby high school, and I look forward to my daughter having this kind of experience. Until then, I value that her days are more balanced, with afternoons dedicated to non-academic skills, even if it means she has fewer holidays throughout the year.
School is less rigid in the US
In France, I would never see my daughter's teacher in her sleepwear for Pajama Day or her principal wearing bunny ears for Halloween. The boundaries between school and home are stricter there, and teachers tend to adopt a more authoritarian position.
In the US, my daughter has a less formal relationship with her teacher, knowing details about her personal life. Her teacher is easily accessible outside class and puts significant effort into encouraging and praising her students. I'm often surprised when my daughter receives prizes, as this practice is not common in France. Her teacher always finds something positive to express, even if it is as simple as saying, "I like your energy," for a child who struggles to remain seated.
The French approach is different, and teachers are less inclined to compliment. They focus more on correction and improvement, using a 20-point grading scale that makes a perfect score almost impossible. I found the letter grade system here less stressful, with an A being more attainable. Consequently, making the honor roll is easier. This recognition doesn't even exist in France, where children's achievements are not celebrated publicly.
However, not everything is perfect. I also have a few concerns about the American school system, such as the culture of standardized testing and the competitive atmosphere. Still, my daughter enjoys her school, which is a great relief.