"Sixième" is the first year of secondary education in the French school system, typically for students around 11 to 12 years old. It follows the completion of primary education, known as école primaire. In this grade, students begin to study a broader range of subjects, including mathématiques, sciences, histoire, and langues. In sixième, students are introduced to a more structured learning environment, with different teachers for each subject. This transition helps them develop greater independence and prepares them for the subsequent years of secondary school, leading to the baccalauréat in their later education.