St. Joseph's Collège School

• Location: Rodez, France,
• Number of students: about 920,
• Language of instruction: French,
• Type of studying: mixed.

Collège Saint Joseph is a French secondary school for students aged 14 and over, offering a national program for grades 6-9. Collège Saint Joseph educates up to 920 students annually, some of whom come from many countries around the world: studying in the same class with French-speaking students, international students improve language skills more effectively and gain confidence in using French.

The curriculum is featured by interdisciplinarity and diversity. Students study general subjects, which are complemented by several languages: English in the first place, Spanish or German in the second. Covering a variety of subjects, the curriculum prepares students for the transition to higher education through practical assignments, connections between topics of different disciplines, applied research and project work.

Collège Saint Joseph's teachers strive to educate students as full-fledged individuals, active members of a modern international society, and to instill in them a sense of responsibility, independence, loyalty, and tolerance. Students are constantly developing large-scale joint projects, works and research, during which students from different countries constantly interact with each other and work together.

Foreign students are provided with comprehensive support from a special staff member and a consul.

The schedule of the training day consists of the following activities:

• 7:00 – wake up. Students have half an hour to wash their faces, make their beds, and put things away. Students must wait for permission from the supervisor to leave their rooms and go to the dining hall,
• 7:30 – breakfast,
• 16:30 – snack,
• 16:45-18:00 – compulsory and supervised training,
• 18:00-19:00 – free time or study,
• 19:00-20:00 – dinner,
• 20:00-21:15 – Rest: elective classes, game room, gym with supervised sports activities and much more,
• 21:15-21:45 – students go up to their rooms; lights out at 21:45.

French secondary education is divided into two stages:

• The Collège – education during the first four years immediately following primary school, including grades 6-9,
• The Lycée has been studying for the last three years, from grades 10 to 12.

The numbering of middle classes begins with the sixth and is carried out in reverse order, that is, until the first grade, followed by the final class. If we translate to the educational system familiar in the CIS, then Collège Saint Joseph teaches from the sixth to the ninth grades inclusive.

The students of Collège Saint Joseph are accommodated on weekdays in a comfortable residence located on campus. Such proximity to classmates and infrastructure allow international students to immerse themselves in the academic process, devote time to their hobbies and make friends among students. While staying at the residence for five school days, all students receive three meals a day: breakfasts, lunches and dinners prepared according to a balanced, healthy menu.

On weekends, holidays, and short vacations (which take place four times for two weeks during the academic year), students stay in the homes of their host families. Host families are happy to welcome foreign students to help them learn the French language, culture and customs of France, and to learn a lot about other countries. Families do not perceive the student as a guest, but as a member of their family, therefore they provide the best conditions for accommodation: fully furnished rooms, balanced meals, assistance in solving any issues.

Subject list: Art, chemistry, design, economics, English literature, geography, history, Information Technology, maths, music, philosophy, physical education, physics, physiology, Political science, Religious Sciences, sociology
Activity list: gymnastics, handball

In their free time, pupils can focus on their own hobbies, devote time to new or already favorite sports areas, immerse themselves in the sights during excursions.

Thanks to the modern sports infrastructure of the campus, students have access to an extensive range of sections, including handball, football, rugby, fitness and much more. Training is conducted by qualified teachers who will not only help students maintain a healthy lifestyle, but also pay individual attention to the goals of each of them.

Creative clubs offer students a variety of avenues to develop talent in the arts. Throughout the year, there are art and writers' clubs, a choir, and a theater on campus — these are some of the largest student communities. Many campus events feature theater and music groups, and students who enjoy the visual and literary arts can take part in regular exhibitions.

Thanks to a variety of excursions, students will be able to see the sights of Rodez and nearby cities, go hiking in natural beauty, and take part in bike rides.

• The well-being of children is the main priority - each pupil is looked after by teachers, class teachers,
• Daily controlled learning time, thanks to which students are more successful in completing their homework, quickly receive individual help,
• A wide range of activities outside of school hours, including both outdoor activities and thematic clubs,
• A modern campus located in a small town with a high level of security,
• A variety of services for comfortable learning, including accommodation in a residence, a rich leisure program, and comprehensive support from teachers.

The Collège Saint Joseph campus is located in the center of the small town of Rodez in the south of France. It has a fairly quiet atmosphere, a sufficient number of attractions and good transport links, allowing you to explore other regions of the country.

The learning area offers students various facilities for academic knowledge, creative and athletic development.:

• Classes where theory classes are held,
• Three rooms for independent work,
• Multimedia rooms with computers, interactive equipment,
• Library, reading room,
• Six subject laboratories,
• Technology laboratories where project work takes place,
• Art Center,
• Language classrooms,
• Gyms with several playgrounds, climbing wall,
• Table tennis hall,
• Outdoor synthetic field with an area of 900 square meters,
• Cafeterias,
• A student recreation area with books, board games,
• St. Joseph's Chapel, used for regular masses, exhibitions, and friendly communication.

A residence hall has also been prepared on campus, where students live during the school week.

Studying for international students is available for one trimester, one semester, or for the entire year. The academic year consists of two semesters:

• Autumn: August-January,
• Spring: January-June.

The trimesters last from August to December, from March to June. Classes are not held on weekends, on national and international holidays, or during vacations:

• Autumn — two weeks from the end of October to the beginning of November,
• Christmas — two weeks, including holidays,
• Winter — two weeks from mid-February to mid-March,
• Spring — two weeks from mid-April to mid-May,
• Summer — two months, starting around the beginning of July.

The tuition fee already includes an administrative fee, accommodation at the school and with the host family on weekends, holidays and vacations, round-the-clock support and a security guarantee. Additionally, you will have to pay:

• Round-trip flights,
• Medical insurance,
• Additional excursions, sports and creative entertainment,
• Additional language classes,
• E-learning language courses,
• Round trip transfer,
• Educational guides, books, and materials,
• Pocket expenses.

The deadline for applications to start training in August is the end of March, and for the start in January, the end of October. Applications submitted late may be accepted subject to availability.

Applicants wishing to gain academic experience at a school in France need to fill out a special application form in French. Then a representative will contact the candidates, providing answers to all their questions. The applicant will have to pass an interview, test for the level of French proficiency, after which the admissions committee will send an official invitation to study.

Less than five international applicants are admitted to Grade 9 each year.

Upon completion of the training, students will receive not only high-quality academic knowledge, but also improve their level of French language proficiency, thereby expanding their educational and career opportunities.

Admission of international students is conducted only in the 9th grade. Applicants must provide:

• Personal documents: passport, medical insurance, visa or residence permit,
• Academic certificates from the previous place of study,
• French language proficiency test results equal to A2 level,
• A letter of recommendation from a French language teacher.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision