fictional characterWho you will talk to
Karim Hadj-Ali
Director of studies
Middle school (CEM)
Middle school (CEM) · Ages 11 – 14
Four years to learn to work on your own.
A teacher per subject and a form tutor who follows each pupil. Science in the lab from M1, an hour of study skills a week, and BEM preparation that starts in M3, not in May.
- Ages 11 – 14Ages
- 4Year groups
- 24Pupils per class, at most
- 4Languages taught
- 295 000 DZDAnnual tuition
The year groups
- M1Middle year 1
- M2Middle year 2
- M3Middle year 3
- M4Middle year 4
How pupils learn here
How we teach: Middle school (CEM)
A form tutor for each class
They follow every pupil across all subjects, and they are the one parents meet.
Science in the lab
Physics and life sciences by experiment from M1, with a lab notebook kept all year.
Learning how to learn
An hour of study skills a week: note-taking, revision, organising oneself.
The programme
Hours and coefficients, subject by subject.
The national programme’s weekly hours and coefficients, as they count in the report card’s averages.
The same from M1 to M4
| Subject | Hours / week | Coefficient |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic | 5 | 5 |
| Mathematics | 5 | 4 |
| French | 5 | 3 |
| History & geography | 3 | 3 |
| English | 3 | 2 |
| Physics & chemistry | 2 | 2 |
| Life & earth sciences | 2 | 2 |
| Tamazight | 2 | 2 |
| Islamic education | 1 | 2 |
| Physical education | 2 | 1 |
| Civic education | 1 | 1 |
| Computing | 1 | 1 |
| Art | 1 | 1 |
| Music | 1 | 1 |
34 h a week
A typical week
The timetable of a Middle year 3 class
A real timetable from the school, Sunday to Thursday. Tuesday afternoon is free in primary and middle school, as everywhere in Algeria.
| Time | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Arabic | Mathematics | English | Physical education | English |
| 09:00 | French | Mathematics | Computing | French | Mathematics |
| 10:15 | Arabic | Arabic | Mathematics | Music | Physics & chemistry |
| 11:15 | Islamic education | History & geography | Tamazight | Life & earth sciences | Civic education |
| 12:15 | Lunch and break | ||||
| 13:30 | French | Physical education | Free | Physics & chemistry | Mathematics |
| 14:30 | English | French | Free | Arabic | Life & earth sciences |
| 15:30 | Tamazight | Art | Free | History & geography | Arabic |
Languages
The classroom’s languages
- Arabic
- French
- English
- Tamazight
The exam
BEM
1 June 2027
In M4, the BEM (middle-school certificate) opens the door to lycée. Preparation starts in M3, with two mock BEMs in M4 marked as the exam is.
See the exam resultsBeyond the classroom
Activities and clubs open to this stage
- Robotics club
- Drama in French
- Maths olympiad
Robotics & coding
18 000 DZD a year
Chess
9 000 DZD a year
Drama
12 000 DZD a year
Music (oud, piano)
15 000 DZD a year
Science club
Free
Visual arts
10 000 DZD a year
Sports teams
Free
Fees
What a year costs
295 000 DZDa year
This stage’s annual tuition, payable in three instalments. The cantine, transport, after-school care and activities are options.
Estimate my family’s feesfictional characterFrequently asked questions
Questions about this stage
Are phones allowed?
They stay switched off in the locker during the day. Pupils work on the school’s tablets and computers.
What if my child falls behind in a subject?
Average tracking alerts the form tutor, who offers small-group support and writes to you before the class council.
How is the BEM prepared?
Through revision scheduled from M3, two mock BEMs, and revision sheets in the pupil’s space.
A place for your child in Middle school (CEM)?
The application is made online and picks up where you left it. The stage is already chosen.