The French education system is divided into several stages, starting with école maternelle for children aged 3 to 6, followed by école élémentaire for ages 6 to 11. After elementary school, students move to collège, which lasts four years and covers a broad curriculum. At the end of collège, students take the brevet des collèges exam. Following collège, students can choose to attend lycée, which prepares them for higher education or vocational training. The lycée lasts three years and culminates in the baccalauréat exam, a crucial qualification for university admission. The system emphasizes a strong academic foundation and critical thinking skills.