High School | French Bac

Rich and rigorous curriculum, individual and cooperative projects, and a diversity of subject matters. Teachers offer a differentiated approach and individualized follow-up.

Qualities that students will develop in the French Baccalaureate program include:

• Openness to the world
• Organizational and time management skills
• Critical thinking
• Multilingualism

Accredited by the French Ministry of Education, the LFC's offers two Bac diploma options: 

• The Standard French Baccalaureate, which offers the same curriculum as the one offered in any French school with additional English language and Social Studies classes.
• The Baccalaureat Francais International (BFI), developed by the French National Education System and the American College Board, is the international version of the French Baccalaureate. The BFI diploma is a bilingual and bicultural diploma that is a great option for any student wishing to deepen their knowledge of American history, civics and culture in English. It is recognized by the best universities in the US, Europe and the world.

All graduates also receive an Illinois high school diploma.

The French Baccalaureate is a program that is renowned for its rigor, depth and breadth of subject areas.

In addition to common core subjects such as Philosophy, English, Foreign Languages and Physical Education, students in the Baccalauréat Standard program must choose three areas in which they will specialize (specialitités) starting in 11th grade (Sciences, Math, Humanities, Economics and Social Sciences), which determines their course schedule. One specialty class is dropped at the end of 11th grade in order to dedicate more time to two specialties in 12th grade. Students may also choose elective classes such as Arts, Latin or additional foreign language.

The Baccalauréat International (BFI) is a specialization within the Bac Standard. At LFC, we offer the American International Section of the BFI. It integrates the rigor of the French Bac curriculum with advanced-level studies in English as well as a specific curriculum in English Language, Culture & Literature; American History; and Geography. English language courses are taught by American teachers. 

An excellent written and oral command of French is required to follow both of these bilingual French-English programs, which also includes courses in foreign languages (German, Spanish, Mandarin). Students can enter the French Baccalaureate program after Grade 8 if they come from a French school, or in Grade 10 by taking a French test to affirm their fluency in oral and written French.

In the French Baccalaureate program, students take two important exams that each serve as both an assessment and a certification of knowledge and skills:

• The Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB) at the end of Grade 9 and
• The Diplôme du Baccalauréat during the junior and senior years.

Both diplomas can be taken in the standard section (DNB and BF) or in the international section (DNBI and BFI).

The LFC proposes numerous opportunities for high school students to discover other cultures and to engage in international dialogue. These selective programs are opportunities to create a more diverse high school environment and expand cross-cultural understanding, as well as to establish life-long friendships.

Learn more

Following our educational mission, the Lycée Français de Chicago is committed to educating students to become well-rounded members and leaders in a global community. Service learning projects and experiences engage students in ways that will expand their awareness of the world outside themselves and of the needs of others. At the high school level, students are required to complete ten hours of community service per year.