Frequently Asked Questions

The French School incorporates many of the elements of typical preschool familiar to Americans. However, the French School goes a step further by actively developing the skills necessary for both academic and social success. There is a healthy balance of playtime and instructed learning in which art, music, mathematics, science, and literature are explored in a deeper capacity. And the children are doing all of this while acquiring a second language.

Absolutely not. The French School, being an école maternelle, was specifically created to welcome this age group and all activities are developmentally age-appropriate. Language acquisition is more natural the earlier a child is exposed to a second language.

Hearing French does not faze young children. They easily adapt to their new environment and within weeks, they are comfortably following directions and responding to questions in French.

All skills and concepts learned at the French School are transferable and applicable to traditional schooling. Children in our immersion program tend to be better prepared than their counter-parts as they have already acquired many other skills, such as cursive writing, and are well ahead on the foreign language component.

An all French-speaking environment enables your child to learn French in the same manner as his/her native language. At the French School, French is not a separate subject, rather it is the language of instruction for the entire curriculum while exploring concepts in math, reading, science, etc. This method enables your child to directly associate words and concepts in French while establishing native fluency. Learn more about our benefits.

École maternelle is France’s three-year educational program for young children prior to elementary school. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes France’s école maternelle as one of the foremost young child learning programs in the world. Learn more about école maternelle and our curriculum.

Children have an amazing ability to acquire new languages. Often times, children who already speak another language have a better capacity to learn additional languages. Our total immersion program allows all children to successfully learn French, even if more than one language is spoken at home. Through continuous exposure to the language, children learn to associate words and concepts in French while learning proper pronunciation and intonation.

Kindergarten graduates are invited to join our Continuing Education Program. Continuing education classes meet twice a week during the academic year to build on their French language skills while deepening friendships with fellow francophones. Learn more about Continuing Education.

For those who wish to embark on the language journey with their children or to brush up on their high school or college French, the French Institute of the North Shore offers beginning to advanced level French lessons for adults. Many classes are conveniently scheduled while children are at the French School. Learn more about the French Institute of the North Shore.

It will have a positive effect as research indicates that children who study a foreign language develop a better understanding and command of their native language. Read more about the benefits of bilingualism.

The French School provides a complete education for your child that includes a comprehensive curriculum. Therefore, sending your child to another half day preschool or kindergarten is not necessary.

The majority of our parents do not speak French. It is not necessary to speak French at home in order for your child to successfully acquire the language as our program meets five times a week for at least three hours. During this time your child is totally immersed in the French language. The frequency and repetition of the language, along with the one-on-one attention your child receives at the French School provides the necessary reinforcement.

At the French School, we have a variety of resources available to bring French to your home. We have books, films and classic French television series on DVD that are complementary for our families.

To ensure that parents stay connected, the French School offers various communication vehicles including weekly summaries, theme outlines, quarterly newsletters and email reminders from administration.

Parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year to discuss your child’s progress. Additionally, at the end of each theme, the Cahier de Vie, a compilation of songs, nursery rhymes and student’s work, is sent home for parents to see their child’s progress throughout the year.

We encourage all parents to be involved in our parent association, Cercle des Parents, which organizes social events throughout the year. Parents are also invited to volunteer to assist with art and cooking projects, school celebrations, story time and cultural presentations. Learn more about family involvement.

The French School offers summer camp in June and July. Summer camp is a great way for children to continue building on their French language skills while enjoying the outdoors. Learn more about Summer Camp.