Grande école

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/grande-cole

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the location?Primarily France, with some institutions in Morocco and Tunisia
2. What is the educational model?A selective, specialized higher education system operating alongside mainstream universities
3. What is a "grande école" in France?A grande école is a special school in France that teaches very focused subjects like engineering, business, or public service. They are different from regular universities and are known for being very selective.
4. Why do people study at a grande école instead of a regular university?People choose a grande école because it gives them intensive, career‑oriented training and strong links with industry, helping them become leaders in science, business, or government.

Grande école: Elite French higher education institutions offering specialized, career-focused training.
Concours: Rigorous national entrance examinations that serve as the primary admission pathway.
Classes préparatoires: Intensive, multi-year preparatory programs designed to ready students for the concours.
Diplôme d'Ingénieur: A prestigious engineering diploma awarded by many grandes écoles, equivalent to a Master's degree.