How to Say "Sixth Form" in French

classes de première et terminale

feminine, plural

The English phrase 'sixth form' is translated into French as classes de première et terminale.

This term is used to refer to sixth form classes. Because the French education system does not use the term 'sixth form', you must specify the two specific grade levels (première and terminale) to convey the same meaning.

Meaning: final two years of secondary schooling (noun)

Did you know?

The word première in this context does not mean 'first' in the sense of being at the start of school, but rather the first of the two final years of lycée.
Students in terminale do not just graduate high school, they prepare for the baccalauréat, a national exam that is so culturally central it is referred to simply as le bac.
In France, the term terminale refers to the final year of high school, but it shares its root with the Latin terminus, meaning 'end' or 'boundary'.

Examples in context

Mon cousin est en terminale
My cousin is in sixth form.
Elle est en première
She is in Year 12/sixth form.
Les classes de première et terminale sont difficiles.
The sixth form years are difficult.

Example conversation

Léa and Lucas are discussing their education goals.

Léa

Tu veux aller à l'université, Lucas ?
Do you want to go to university, Lucas?
Lucas

Oui, après mes classes de première et terminale.
Yes, after my sixth form.
Léa

C'est un projet ambitieux !
That is an ambitious plan!
Lucas

Je vais travailler dur pour réussir.
I am going to work hard to succeed.