“If you had questioned me two years ago, I would surely not have made the same speech.
» For Caroline (
the first name has been changed
), whose 15-year-old daughter entered Arago high school this year, in the 12th arrondissement, the reform in 2021 of Affelnet presented a whole series of disadvantages.
“At the time, I was part of the association of parents of Matisse college students, in the 20th arrondissement, and we were resolutely against this procedure for assigning 3rd grade students to high schools in the capital, explains this mom very involved.
It was found that the signposting of young people to five high schools, all located in the 19th and 20th centuries, did not promote diversity and in a way confined students to residence.
Furthermore, we thought that this reform would put our children at a disadvantage in the choice of certain high schools because our college had a rather high social position index.
»
Two years later, when the Parisian system of assignment could be extended to all the major cities of the country, this mother has radically changed her opinion.
Her daughter found her match at Arago High School, her first choice when wishing on Affelnet last year.
“She is a good student, and she had the grades to join the Hélène-Boucher high school, which is the most complicated to have.
But by participating in the open days of the Arago high school, my daughter was seduced by this establishment, explains the mother.
Today, she is flourishing, has good results and she is very satisfied with her relationship with the teachers.
»
More generally, Caroline praises the proximity of the school — located about twenty minutes from her home — which offers a significant level of comfort.
It also highlights the fluidity of a system that generates less frustration during assignments.
“Previously, the students were very stressed by the results of Affelnet.
You could be accepted on your 10th choice, and that created a lot of disappointment, remembers the mother.
Some in the neighborhood will tell you that they can no longer go to Charlemagne (a high school of excellence in the 4th arrondissement), and the principal of Arago complained recently that there was a little more rowdiness in the school. 'establishment.
But at least the reform has created mixed education in high school.
»