I'm a French mom with a child in an American school. I like the school spirit, the shorter days, and the less rigid approach.

The author is a French mother raising her 9-year-old daughter in the United States. She enrolled her child in a public elementary school, noting the stark differences between the American and French education systems. The American school system appeals to her due to its more relaxed atmosphere, extracurricular activities, and sense of community.

One aspect she particularly enjoys is the school spirit, which is actively promoted through events like spirit weeks, dress-up days, and color runs. Her daughter takes great pride in her school and wears its colors with enthusiasm. Additionally, the morning rituals, such as announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance, are practices the mother appreciates, as they are absent in the French school system.

Despite initially finding the shorter school day (ending at 2 pm) challenging, the mother now values the additional time her daughter has in the afternoons for extracurricular activities like swimming and playing music. In France, school days are longer, running from early morning to late afternoon, with fewer extracurricular opportunities.

The mother also finds the less rigid approach in American schools appealing. In France, the boundaries between school and home are stricter, with teachers adopting a more authoritarian stance. In contrast, the American approach allows for a more informal relationship between teachers and students, with teachers being easily accessible and frequently praising their students' efforts.

The grading system in the United States is another aspect the mother appreciates. The letter grade system is less stressful compared to the French system's 20-point grading scale, which makes achieving a perfect score nearly impossible. This results in a more attainable A grade and easier recognition of academic achievements, such as making the honor roll.

However, the mother does have concerns about the American school system, such as the culture of standardized testing and the competitive atmosphere. Nonetheless, her daughter's enjoyment of her school provides her with great relief.