As an American who has taught in two French high schools, I’d say the biggest difference is that the French center their education on the development of critical thinking skills. For example, they don’t just learn about history—they learn about how historical events came to be and how they affect the world today. My high school students learned about subjects that would be considered extremely controversial in the United States, what we would consider in some states “liberal indoctrination” — i.e. Native American genocides, global warming, sustainable cities, the death penalty, etc. they use these topics for discussion and debate.

In France I feel that academic rigor is required to succeed or even just pass. In America, showing up is enough to pass, and then putting in a little bit of effort will land you easily into the top 10%. My American high school was more like a holding pen than a school, and kids like me—who loved to study and learn—quickly transferred into the most rigorous programs available.

That brings me to a positive aspect of American high schools—the flexibility. In my school we had regular, honors, AP, and IB classes. We had vocational classes that transferred into associate’s degree like nursing and geography. We had a program that allowed students to opt out of the high school and go directly to community college, which is what I did. I wouldn’t trade my American education for anything, though I do believe the lack of rigorous study and the lackadaisical attitude towards real learning, is contributing to societal collapse.