Elementary school is the school that accepts children from six years of age, when compulsory education begins in France. However, the elementary school is for many of them following the maternelle – small school, with which it forms the so-called primary school.

The main objective of the elementary school is to teach children the basic skills: learning to read (read), writing (write) and numeracy (counting) is of course a priority. Developmental activities (arts and leisure) will remain important, especially in the early grades.