Elementary school

 
The French école élémentaire (elementary school) is part of the école primaire (primary school), and covers children from 6 to 11 years old:

• CP – 'Cours Preparatoire', 6-7 yrs old
• CE1 – 'Cours Elementaire' 1st year, 7-8 yrs old
• CE2 – 'Cours Elementaire' 2nd year, 8-9 yrs old
• CM1 – 'Cours Moyen' 1st year, 9-10 yrs old
• CM2 – 'Cours Moyen' 2nd year, 10-11 yrs old.

This would be the equivalent of the British Years 3 to 6 and American grades 1 through 5.

The first two years of elementary school are a follow on of the last 'maternelle' year and are part of the  'Cycle des apprentissages fondamentaux' (i.e. fundamental learnings phase). The main subjects taught are: Mastery of the French language, leaving together, discovering the world, mathematics, local language teaching (Finnish or Swedish), arts and sports.
Each day, a child will spend roughly 2 hours and a half reading and/or writing.

The last three years of the elementary school are part of the ‘Cycle des approfondissements’ (consolidation phase). The objective is to strengthen and consolidate the previous learnings, and ensure children are autonomous enough to start secondary school. Subjects such as literature, history, geography, sciences and technologie are added to the curriculum.

At Jules Verne, children from the elementary level come typically from a francophone kindergarten/nursery or elementary school, or are French nationals.
We strive to give particular attention to the well being of our pupils.
Issues, if any, are considered and addressed in collaboration with all staff and other pupils. We try our best to solve all problems as quickly as possible.
We want pupils to be happy while at school, and pleased to come in the morning.

A personal booklet allows the pupils, their family and the teachers to chart the progressive acquisition of the competences.

Jules Verne school and the parents 

The school organises two meetings per year:

• A general information meeting end of August / early September, to present the school and staff to all parents. The meeting then continues in each classroom, where each teacher gives more information about a particular class and its ways of working.
• Mid December, individual meetings are organised between parents and their child’s teacher.

At the end of the year, teachers meet during what’s called a ‘Conseil’ (council) to decide on each child’s progress and transfer to the next level.

Teachers and the headmaster are happy to organise a face to face meeting with any parents who may have questions during the year.

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