A confusion returns every year at the same time: a "published" curriculum is not an "applied" curriculum. Between the publication of a text in the Bulletin officiel and its implementation in a given class, one, two, sometimes three school years may pass. In 2026-2027, several recent texts coexist, and they do not concern the same levels.
The general rule: the most recent text is not necessarily yours
The French and mathematics curricula published in April 2025 are written for cycles 1, 2, and 3 — that is, from kindergarten to 6e. They do not extend to middle school beyond 6e: cycle 4 (5e, 4e, 3e) remains on the adjusted 2020 curricula. In high school, the 2019 architecture remains the reference, updated over the years for certain subjects.
Elementary school — cycle 2 (CP, CE1, CE2)
A single official text applies to all three levels. What distinguishes CP from CE2 are not different curricula but end-of-year expectations specific to each year, in French and mathematics, from the annualized curricula published in April 2025.
School and middle school — cycle 3 (CM1, CM2, 6e)
Cycle 3 spans both school and middle school. French, mathematics, science and technology, arts, physical education, and modern languages are based on the same texts from CM1 to 6e. A clear exception: history and geography themes are distributed by year. Those of CM1 are not those of CM2, which are not those of 6e.
The particular case of 6e this year
This is the point that misleads most families. The new 2026 curricula for history-geography, science and technology, and physical education do NOT apply in 6e in September 2026: their implementation at this level is planned for the 2027-2028 school year. However, the French and mathematics curricula published in April 2025 are indeed those to be used in 6e this year.
Middle school — cycle 4 (5e, 4e, 3e)
The foundation remains the adjusted curricula of BO n°31 of July 30, 2020, with three updates that do apply: modern languages (BO n°22 of May 29, 2025), moral and civic education (BO n°24 of June 13, 2024), and education on affective, relational, and sexual life (BO n°6 of February 6, 2025). The French and mathematics curricula of April 2025 do not concern cycle 4 this year.
High school — seconde, première, terminale
The general and technological seconde is based on BO special n°1 of January 22, 2019, except for modern languages (BO n°22 of May 29, 2025) and moral and civic education (BO n°24 of June 13, 2024). The general première is based on BO special n°8 of July 25, 2019, for the common core and specialties, with the same exceptions, plus scientific education (BO n°25 of June 22, 2023).
In mathematics, the rule is the same everywhere in high school this year: the new curricula published in 2026 do not apply in seconde, première, or terminale in 2026-2027. Terminale will switch in the 2027-2028 school year; in 2026-2027, the 2019 curricula are authoritative, including for the specialty, advanced math, and complementary math.
Two pitfalls to know in high school
- An annual limited curriculum (arts, LLCER, languages and cultures of Antiquity) never replaces the structural curriculum: it is added to it, for a given year.
- The scope of a baccalaureate exam never reduces the annual curriculum. What is not assessed in the exam remains in the curriculum and can be required during the year.
Source : Official school reference integrated into Looping, verified on August 24, 2026, with the Bulletin officiel and Éduscol.
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