Collège Martin Luther King 6ème to 3ème
The middle school program in Collège Martin Luther King, originally opened with 7 students in 1998, currently includes 120 students from around the world.
The section offers English-French bilingual education from 6ème to 3ème (UK years 7-10 / USA grades 6-9). Most students enter in 6ème, but it is possible to sit an entrance exam for every level, although there are generally fewer spaces available in 5ème, 4ème and 3ème.
Middle school students wishing to pursue a bilingual program may sit the entrance exam for International Section in the Lycée Franco-Allemand high school, just next door. Transition from collège to lycée International Section is not automatic but the students from Martin Luther King International Section are well prepared. Some students decide to pursue a regular high school program at a lycée located in their catchment sector.
SIA students joining the LFA anglophone section will be prepared for the Baccalaureate, Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) in their final year. To learn more about the BFI, you may follow this link.
Curriculum
Anglophone students essentially follow the standard French national curriculum. Students are expected to speak and write French fluently, as most subjects are taught in French (French, Maths, Science, Geography, Art, Music, History, Physical Education, etc).
In addition to classes taught in French, SIA students take 4 hours per week of English literature and language study, as well as 2 hours of History/Geography taught entirely in English (in addition to their hours in French). Texts used in these classes are comparable to those used for same level classes in the UK or other anglophone countries. SIA classes have a maximum of 30 pupils. Further detail on the curriculum for international sections, as outlined by the French government, can be found at http://www.education.gouv.fr/pid25535/bulletin_officiel.html?cid_bo=73092
SIA students study German for 4 hours per week, as their first foreign language (LV1) in sixième, and 3 hours per week from cinquième upwards. From cinquième, they learn Spanish as a second foreign language (LV2). As well as the native English-speaking SIA teachers, Collège MLK has a native-speaking teacher of German, and of Spanish. In the International Section at Lycée Franco-Allemand, students take German and can continue studying Spanish.
Students in troisième have a one-week internship in a workplace of their choice. SIA pupils can organise this week in an English-speaking country if possible.
At the end of troisième, SIA students take the Diplôme National du Brevet, International Option. This is essentially the standard French Brevet exam, with additional oral exams in English Literature and in History/Geography. More info on the DNB, International Option, can be found at https://eduscol.education.fr/cid45720/examens-et-diplomes.html.
The quality of the program is reflected in the 100% success rate of students having taken the Brevet to date, with the majority achieving a mention.
Extracurricular Activities
FSE (Foyer Socio Educatif) offers a variety of activities that bring together all students throughout the year. Troisième students create a Yearbook and organize a dance to commemorate their passing from Middle School to High School.
SIA students in quatrième can spend 2 or 3 months in Germany, as part of the Brigitte Sauzay program. They attend school and live as part of the family with their exchange partners.
Students have the possibility of joining Saltimbuc English theatre troupe, another initiative of PSAB parents.
The school library offers an ever growing English section.
School Timetable & Transport
Lessons largely take place from 8.45am to 4.20 pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday), and 8.45am – 5.15pm (Wednesday). These schedules make it possible to take the buses of the many lines also serving the Lycée Franco-Allemand and Louis Clément primary school.
Students in SIA have class on Wednesday afternoon. In the event of classes beginning earlier or finishing later than the usual bus times, parents are expected to find other transport arrangements for their children.
Collège Martin Luther King
9 rue Collin-Mamet, 78530 Buc
+33 (0)1 39 56 47 48