le primaire
The Elementary School
The “Primaire” is a 6-year journey to prepare each child for academic excellence.
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Two three-year cycles
Our private elementary school is organized in three-year cycles. In France, primary school is composed of two three-year cycles — here is how the French and American systems line up.
CP
1st Grade
Cycle 2
CE1
2nd Grade
Cycle 2
CE2
3rd Grade
Cycle 2
CM1
4th Grade
Cycle 3
CM2
5th Grade
Cycle 3
6ème
6th Grade
Cycle 3
The main objective of CP (1st Grade) is to ensure students have mastered reading and writing as these are the key skills used in every other field of study. The French system generally avoids multiple choice questions, even in 1st Grade, so a student must be able to read a question, understand it and answer it, sometimes with a full sentence.
In CE1 and CE2 the program is made up of grammar, spelling, vocabulary and math but also focuses on helping students explore the world, including through art and music. A foreign language is added — in our case, English. CM1 and CM2 introduce scientific content, technology, history/geography and art history. 6ème is an essential transition year before secondary school when all topics are recapped and additional complexity is introduced — ensuring students are prepared for middle school.
The curriculum
The elementary program at LPEC is taught by native French speakers, except for English language arts, which is taught by an English native speaker.
- French Language ArtsCycles 2 & 3
- English Language ArtsCycles 2 & 3
- MathematicsCycles 2 & 3
- Musical educationCycles 2 & 3
- Physical educationCycles 2 & 3
- CivicsCycles 2 & 3
- Question the WorldCycle 2
- Art historyCycle 3
- History & GeographyCycle 3
- Fine ArtsCycle 3
Evaluation process
We evaluate the acquired skills of each student. A report card is issued twice a year, and parents are invited twice a year to a private meeting with their child's teacher to speak about their child's progress and answer questions they may have.
une journée type
A typical day in Elementary school
Le matin
8:15 – 8:30
Children arrive at the school
8:35 – 8:45
Rituals
8:45 – 11:00
French Language activities (reading, grammar, phonology, vocabulary, writing…)
11:00 – 12:00
Mathematics (numeration, geometry, measurements)
L'après-midi
12:00 – 1:30
Lunch and free time
1:30 – 2:00
Civics, Sciences or Physical education
2:00 – 2:30
Reading, History or Geography
2:30 – 2:45
Free time
2:45 – 3:25
Arts (music, poetry, paint…)
3:30
End of the day
La prochaine étape...
Do you have questions or would you like to tour our school?
To learn more about our curriculum, schedule a parent interview or reserve a place on our preschool program waiting list, just call or register to begin the admissions process.
Mon–Thu 8:30a – 3:30p · Fri 8:30a – 2:00p · 620 Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka