French-American Baccalauréat (FAB)

Please note the Franco-American Baccalaureate has been replaced with the French International Baccalaureate. All FAB/BFA programs are invited to become BFI American sections. Note the last FAB/BFA candidates will graduate in spring of 2024. 

The French-American Baccalauréat (FAB) combines the academic demands of College Board’s Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) with France’s Baccalauréat. This diploma recognizes students who’ve not only mastered both French and English languages, but studied advanced coursework between two systems and cultures.

How Does the French-American Baccalauréat/Baccalauréat Franco-Américain (BFA) Work?

The FAB/BFA is a partnership between College Board and the French Ministry of National Education to give students the opportunity to earn qualifications from two world systems. Students who want to participate in the FAB/BFA must be enrolled in an accredited French high school in the United States.

In première (11th grade) and terminale (12th grade), students take three or four AP courses and exams in English instead of those corresponding classes in French for the Baccalauréat. AP courses are taken in the participating French high schools, after approval of the syllabi by College Board. Students take the AP Exams in May of 11th or 12th grade, depending on the AP course, and take the French Baccalauréat exams according to the normal calendar for the Baccalauréat.

Two schools currently offer this curriculum:

How a FAB/BFA Benefits Students and Universities

Students interested in earning a FAB/BFA can take advantage of the following benefits:

  • Leveraging the combined portability of 2 globally recognized university admissions credentials.
  • Having a general education of recognized excellence provided by the French Baccalauréat.
  • The opportunity to obtain college-level course credit at many universities.
  • Gaining access to universities in France and Europe.
  • The opportunity to apply for selective French courses (such as the grande écoles) that other international programs do not allow.
  • Exposure to North American university-level AP courses and being prepared to apply to North American universities.
  • Achieving mastery of both French and American languages and cultures.

For universities, accepting a student with a FAB means:

  • Assurance that the student received an education satisfying requirements from both the U.S. educational system and the French Ministry of National Education.
  • Relying on proven academic results that the student has a mastery of the English language and familiarity with U.S. culture and that they are ready to be competitive in college.
  • Recruiting a student who is prepared and academically motivated.
  • Choosing a student educated in writing essays and problem solving, who has proven their skills in analysis, synthesis, and extrapolation.
  • Diversifying the profiles of students at your campus by accepting a student with an international and multicultural background.

What is the Advanced Placement Program (AP®)?

The AP Program is an academic program offering college-level courses and exams to secondary school students. It’s recognized as a criterion of excellence and, in 2019, nearly 2.8 million high school students took nearly 5 million AP Exams in 38 subjects.

Most North American universities grant students college credit and/or placement in advanced courses depending on the student's score. In addition, AP courses and exam scores are recognized by admissions offices in approximately 600 universities in 59 countries.

What is the FAB?

The FAB’s course and exam organization differs from the French Baccalauréat in the following ways:

  • History, Geography, and English courses and exams from the common core are replaced by 2 APs at the end of 11th grade:
    • AP English Language and an AP in History (alternative option: World History, European History, US History, or Human Geography).
  • 1 of the specialties (courses and exams) taken in 11th and 12th grade is replaced by 1 or 2 APs from the same field of study:
    • Specialty Art is replaced by AP Studio Art and AP Art History Specialty Language; and English Literature is replaced by AP English Literature and Composition.
    • Specialty Physics and Chemistry is replaced by AP Physics C Mechanics + AP Physics C (E&M).
    • Specialty SVT is replaced by AP Biology.
    • Specialty Math is replaced by AP Calculus AB + AP Calculus BC Specialty SES is replaced by AP Microeconomics + AP Macroeconomics.

In the end, FAB holders receive the French Baccalauréat and scores on 3 or 4 AP exams.

FAB Shows English and French Language Proficiency

Students with the FAB have demonstrated the ability to complete university-level coursework in English via AP courses and exams, as well as advanced coursework in French. Universities can rest assured of both the English and French proficiency of FAB candidates.