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Middle school at International French School

Middle school marks pupils' entry into secondary education, and is the place where pupils learn the knowledge that will form the foundation on which they can build their future career. The aim is for each pupil to have mastered, by the end of 3ème, the fundamental academic skills that will enable them to succeed in lycée. To this end, our teachers provide pupils with the support they need, and monitor their results closely so that they can progress at their own pace and reach their full potential. 

In middle school, subjects are taught by teachers who are specialists in their fields, and teachers work together between classes to coordinate their lessons in innovative ways. A designated class teacher coordinates the class teaching team and ensures communication between pupils, parents and the staff. 

In middle school, pupils have the option of choosing between the regular track with more time spent in French, or the British international track, with increased teaching hours in English.
 

Our middle school welcomes pupils aged 6-11 and is divided into four classes:

Grade 6
Ages 11 - 12

Grade 7
Ages 12 - 13

Grade 8
Ages 13 - 14
 

Grade 9 
Ages 14 - 15


A word from the Dean of Students

At the International French School of Amsterdam, we prepare our students for a constantly evolving world.

We believe in an education that inspires and empowers. Thanks to their multilingual abilities and a multicultural environment, our students develop agile thinking, curiosity, and a valuable capacity for adaptation.

Our success is built together—with families and with the support of a dedicated educational team—teachers, student life coordinators, librarian, school nurse, and external partners—who place each student at the heart of their learning experience and ensure both personal fulfillment and academic success.

Laura Mallevialle, Dean of Students

Middle school learning goals

During this stage, pupils develop their knowledge and skills in various disciplines, while preparing for further education and active participation in tomorrow's world. These include:

  • The common base of skills, knowledge and culture: fundamental skills that all pupils must master by the end of 3ème. 
  • Mastery of the written and spoken languages French and English.
  • Learning in areas that cover all fields of knowledge: the notion of general culture and the development of critical thinking are very important.
  • Educational enrichment in different topics including civics, preparing for the future, artistic and cultural education, etc.
  • The importance of applying systematic methods in learning.

The common base of knowledge, skills and culture

The socle commun de connaissances, de compétences et de culture (Common Base of Knowledge, Skills and Culture) begins in primary school and covers everything a pupil needs to master by the end of collège. Pupils must master these skills in order to obtain the Diplôme National du Brevet. The common base is designed to be a progressive acquisition of knowledge and skills that is built up over the course of a pupil's education, from the beginning of primary school to the end of middle school.

There are five key areas of knowledge:

Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB)

At the end of 3ème, pupils sit the Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB) exam, a key stage in their school career. The DNB assesses the skills acquired at middle school through written and oral tests, covering several subjects such as French, mathematics and history-geography. The school achieves very satisfactory results every year, reflecting the quality of its teaching. In 2024, pupils achieved 100% success and 100% passing with honours. We are proud of our pupils and their teachers, who together have achieved these exceptional results. Pupils who pass this exam with flying colours are well prepared to enter lycée, where they will refine their academic and career plans. Evaluation is by a mixture of three elements:


 In 2024, pupils achieved 100% success and 100% passing with honours in the DNB.