French schools are part of a centralized education system in France, which is managed by the Ministry of National Education. Education is compulsory for children aged 3 to 16, and the system is divided into several stages: école maternelle (preschool), école élémentaire (elementary school), collège (middle school), and lycée (high school). The curriculum emphasizes a broad range of subjects, including math, science, literature, and foreign languages. Students take national exams, such as the baccalauréat, at the end of high school, which is necessary for university admission. French schools also focus on civic education and cultural values.