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“Overall, it was really easy.” For Inès, 15, the middle school graduation exam was just a formality. For others, like Maxime, the tests were “very complicated.” Especially the math test, apparently. “Unless you’re Isaac Newton, it was impossible,” the teenager quips, prompting laughter from his classmates. In any case, the exam marking the end of four years of middle school is over. It concluded on Tuesday, June 30. In the courtyard of Mireille Choisy Middle School, the teenagers gather, disperse, and chat, out of habit. As if to delay their departure from the school.
“Preparation for What’s Next”
They will likely remember very little about the French, history-geography, science, or math exams—even those who encountered few difficulties. Take Kaylee, Inès, Viviana, and Sofia, for example, who look calm and composed as they emerge from the French exam. “The text was pretty simple, the questions too, and besides, these are things we learned in class,” Kaylee smiles. A little further away, Joanna, Francheska, Santiago, and Jaya emerge from their exams just as calmly. “The Brevet is more about preparing for what comes next,” Santiago remarks. Charlotte feels the same way. “They were the same exercises we did during the school year, so it was easy,” the teenager says. In fact, just a few minutes after the last exam, she’s already thinking more about what comes next. “I’m going to general high school in Paris,” she exclaims. “I can’t wait!” Around her, three students are getting ready to fly to Canada. But this track isn’t necessarily as popular as it used to be.
Diverse Career Paths
David Desiage, the middle school principal, notes that of the 76 ninth-graders, 27 are expected to enroll in the Saint-Barthélemy Apprentice Training Center (CFA) at the start of the next school year. Another 22 will remain within the Guadeloupe school district: two in Saint Martin, two in Guadeloupe, and 18 will attend their sophomore year at Mireille Choisy. As for the remaining 27, they will leave the school district for mainland France or a foreign country (five to Canada, three to Portugal). “The middle school has supported the students in their plans,” explains the principal. “There has been a growing demand for the CFA in recent years. Nevertheless, thanks to this support, we’ve had more applications for the general 10th-grade track than for the CFA.” This will help ensure that the highly sought-after apprenticeship program doesn’t face an overwhelming influx of students at the start of the school year.
Grading for the middle school diploma exams should be completed by the end of the week. The results will be released a few days later. The summer break is so much more enjoyable with a little diploma in hand.
