British International School of Chicago - South Loop vs Lycée Français de Chicago

	B British International School of Chicago - South Loop Chicago, United States	L Lycée Français de Chicago Chicago, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $19,415 - 47,745	Fees / year $28,925 - 29,500
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)	Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 800	Pupils 760
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size 7
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language French, English
Opened	Opened 2001	Opened 1995
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location 161 W 9th St, Chicago, IL 60605, United States. The school is in Chicago, Illinois.	Location The main campus is at 1929 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640. Transit options include the Damen Brown Line El stop, CTA bus routes 50 Damen, 22 Clark, and 81 Lawrence near Wilson, and the Ravenswood UP-N Metra line within walking distance. Ravenswood Garage (entrance off Damen Ave) provides parking. The school offers bilingual instruction in French and English.
Stages	Stages Early Years (ages 3–5); Primary (ages 5–11, Years 1–6); Middle School (ages 11–14, Years 7–9); High School (ages 14–18, Years 10–13).	Stages Pre-elementary \| Pre-K to K; Elementary \| Grades 1 to 5; Middle School \| Grades 6 to 8; High School \| Grades 9 to 12.
School type	School type Private K-12 school. It offers education for ages 3–18.	School type International school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix 40+ nationalities represented.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation England (curriculum aligned with the English National Curriculum).	Country affiliation AEFE-affiliated; listed on the AEFE roster of French Schools in Foreign Countries; part of the French Ministry of Education network worldwide.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Admission hours: School days 8am–5pm; Non-school days 9am–4pm.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details Morning Bus Program with three routes (North, West, South). North Route serves Wilmette, Evanston, Rogers Park and West Ridge; West Route serves West Town, Wicker Park, Bucktown and Logan Square; South Route serves Hyde Park, Streeterville, Lincoln Park and Lakeview. For details and registration, email operations@lyceechicago.org.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details TUITION FEES (2026–27 academic year) - Nursery (part-time): USD 19,170 per year. - Nursery (full-time): USD 31,950 per year. - Reception: USD 34,700 per year. - Years 1–6: USD 39,950 per year. - Years 7–10: USD 43,425 per year. - Year 11: USD 43,750 per year. - Years 12–13: USD 45,750 per year. . Per-term amounts (three-term academic year) - The school operates on a three-term (Autumn / Spring / Summer) academic calendar; per-term figures below are calculated as the annual tuition divided by three (equal-term division). - Nursery (part-time) per term: USD 6,390. - Nursery (full-time) per term: USD 10,650. - Reception per term: USD 11,567. - Years 1–6 per term: USD 13,317. - Years 7–10 per term: USD 14,475. - Year 11 per term: USD 14,583. - Years 12–13 per term: USD 15,250. - These per-term figures are calculations based on the annual tuition and the school's three-term calendar. Annual and recurring additional fees - Trip fee (all years): USD 180 billed each school year. - Yearbook: USD 65 billed each school year. - Full-time Nursery to Year 9 lunches: USD 2,000 billed each school year. - Year 11 exam costs (annual): USD 1,750. - Year 13 exam costs (annual): USD 1,750. - The items above are billed on an annual basis in addition to tuition. Application, enrollment and new-student fees - Application fee (non-refundable): USD 100. - New Student Fee (one-time, non-refundable): USD 2,300 (applied to capital and curriculum investments). - The New Student Fee is due with the signed enrollment agreement. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition and the listed annual fees are presented as amounts for the academic year; the school's calendar runs across three terms (Autumn, Spring, Summer). - New-student fees are due at the time the enrollment agreement is signed. - Specific invoice due dates, available installment options, and any late-payment penalties are set in the school's enrollment agreement and terms and conditions; invoices and billing align with the academic-year structure. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable for this campus; no boarding fees are listed for the South Loop location. Other costs and periodic purchases - Uniforms: available from Tommy Hilfiger and Lands' End (items purchased separately). - PE kit: ordered via the school's online ordering portal. - Optional charges that families commonly pay include before- or after-school care, extracurricular clubs, camps, some class trips, and certain exam or assessment fees beyond those listed above. Refund information - The Application Fee and the New Student Fee are non-refundable. - The school's standard terms and conditions provide that refunds (where applicable) are processed by bank transfer and that a school will not refund any portion of a tuition term once that term has commenced. - Parents' contractual obligations for invoiced tuition, notice periods for withdrawal, and the precise refund calculation method (if any) are governed by the school's enrollment agreement and the school's terms and conditions. Fee adjustments and discounts - Northwestern University employee discount: 20% tuition discount for benefits-eligible Northwestern University employees. - Sibling discounts: second child receives a 3.5% tuition discount; any additional children receive a 7% tuition discount. Fee payment options and transaction fees - Online payment portal is available for electronic payments (school payment portal). - Accepted electronic payment methods and their processing fees: - Credit card payments: assessed a service fee of 2.99%. - Debit card payments: assessed a service fee of 0.99%. - ACH (eCheck / bank transfer): no service fee. - Payments made through the school's online portal are the primary electronic option; the school issues invoices and records payments via its billing system. Contact for fee queries and payments - Admissions: admissions@bischicagosl.org; telephone +1 (773) 998 2472. - General inquiries: +1 (773) 599 2472. - The school provides an online payment portal (for electronic payment methods and merchant fees).	Fee details Overview of Tuition (2026–2027 academic year) - Pre-K – K: USD 28,925 per year. - Grades 1–8: USD 29,200 per year. - Grades 9–12: USD 29,500 per year. Tuition — payment schedules and per‑installment amounts There are three payment schedule options and associated processing fees. The amounts below show the gross tuition per payment before any deposits or discounts are applied: - One payment (full tuition): due in July. (FACTS one-time processing fee USD 25 at enrollment agreement finalization.) - Pre-K – K: USD 28,925 due in July. - Grades 1–8: USD 29,200 due in July. - Grades 9–12: USD 29,500 due in July. - Two equal installments (pre-authorized ACH or credit card): one-half of the balance deducted in June and the remaining half deducted in December. (FACTS one-time processing fee USD 25 at enrollment agreement finalization.) - Pre-K – K: USD 14,462.50 per installment (USD 28,925 ÷ 2). - Grades 1–8: USD 14,600.00 per installment (USD 29,200 ÷ 2). - Grades 9–12: USD 14,750.00 per installment (USD 29,500 ÷ 2). - Twelve monthly installments: first installment due in June, successive monthly withdrawals through May. (FACTS one-time processing fee USD 55 at enrollment agreement finalization.) - Pre-K – K: USD 2,410.42 per month (USD 28,925 ÷ 12). - Grades 1–8: USD 2,433.33 per month (USD 29,200 ÷ 12). - Grades 9–12: USD 2,458.33 per month (USD 29,500 ÷ 12). Enrollment deposit and contract terms - A non‑refundable tuition deposit of USD 2,000 per student is due after submission of the enrollment contract; this deposit is deducted from the final tuition balance. Failure to make payments when due may result in late fees and other enforcement actions. For delinquent accounts (45 days non‑payment per term), the school will place the account and records on financial hold and may withhold transcripts, diplomas and report cards until the account is current. Tuition and fees are contractually non‑refundable, including in the event of early withdrawal. Application and administrative fees - New Family Fee (Pre‑K level): USD 2,250 per family. - New Family Fee (Jr‑K to Grade 12): USD 3,000 per family. - Financial Aid Application Fee (FACTS): USD 45 per application (non‑refundable). - Non‑refundable Tuition Deposit: USD 2,000 (due at time of enrollment). - Supplies Fee: USD 350–USD 460 (variable by grade). - NSF (returned payment) Fee: USD 25. - Late Payment Fee: USD 25. - FACTS Credit Card Transaction Fee: 3.05% per charge (applies to credit‑card payments). Estimated exam and assessment fees (by grade) - 3rd Grade DELF (optional): USD 70. - 5th Grade DELF (optional): USD 70. - 9th Grade DELF (optional): USD 70. - 9th Grade DNB: USD 169. - 11th Grade EA: USD 263. - 12th Grade Bac: USD 323. - 12th Grade BFI: USD 575. - 12th Grade IB: USD 738. Other costs billed separately - Bus service, lunch service, before‑ and after‑school programs, athletics, and school trips & exchanges are billed in addition to tuition; fees vary by service and participation. Supplies, certain extracurriculars, and some field trips may also incur separate charges. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable; no boarding program or boarding fees are listed for this school. Refund policy - Tuition and fees are non‑refundable. The non‑refundable tuition deposit (USD 2,000) is applied to the final tuition balance but is not refundable. Fee payment options and processing - Payments are managed through FACTS. Payment options include automated bank withdrawal (ACH) and credit‑card payment via FACTS. FACTS charges a one‑time processing fee at enrollment agreement finalization (USD 25 for one‑time payment or two‑installment plans; USD 55 for the 12‑month plan). Credit‑card charges are additionally subject to a FACTS credit card transaction fee (3.05% per charge). Returned payment (NSF) and late payment fees apply as noted above. Contact for billing questions - The Student Billing Administrator handles account questions; the school provides FACTS support for account access.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school teaches the National Curriculum for England and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in the Primary years; Middle and High School offer IGCSE and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs.	Curriculum details The Lyce9e Frane7ais de Chicago offers an immersion-based curriculum with two diploma tracks: the French Baccalaureate (BFI American Section) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, for students from pre-K through grade 12. Instruction is primarily in French, with English provided through English-language BFI courses and English-language components within the IB track. The American Section of the French Baccalaureate, the BFI, is bilingual and bicultural, combining French bac rigor with American inquiry-based learning to provide a university entrance qualification valid in the US and France. The school is an International Baccalaureate World School, offering the IB Diploma Programme in grades 11412 and the IB Middle Years Programme in grades 910, with Bilingual Diploma (BD) and Advanced Bilingual Diploma (ABD) options. Graduates typically earn a US high school diploma and either the French Baccalaureate or the IB Diploma, with CNED courses available for additional options.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results Baccalaureate examination results show a consistent 100% pass rate from 2021 to 2025. Honors at LFC range from 94% to 100% over these years, with honors in North America ranging from 89% to 94%. The data reflect strong performance across both the French Bac and the IB track.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression The school paves the way for students to enter prestigious universities worldwide.	Higher education progression 100% of LFC students go on to higher education after graduation, most frequently in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Admissions are personalized to families. The process includes contacting us to start your child's journey, joining a school tour or virtual discovery meeting, submitting an application, and financial aid is available.	Admissions 1. Your LFC journey starts with understanding entry points. The main entry points are pre-elementary (pre-K to K) and Grade 9 IB, and inquiries are welcome at all grade levels, subject to space availability. In primary school, non-French speakers may enroll from pre-K to Grade 5 through the Welcoming Language Program, depending on space availability. The high school IB program is taught in English and welcomes non-French-speaking students from Grades 9–12. 2. Submit the online application. Applications open October 1 of the preceding year, and there is a $155 application fee paid upon submitting the online application. If you are unable to pay the application fee, contact the Admissions Office. Rolling admissions apply for 2026-2027, and admissions decisions are issued on a rolling basis once the application is complete. 3. Provide supporting materials and complete assessments. Upload report cards from the past three school years where available, and ensure the current teacher submits a recommendation form via the application platform. Register for a group assessment or an individual assessment, and schedule a parent interview with the admissions team. For daycare families applying to Pre-K, there are benefits including a waived first application fee and prioritized admission, along with the Pre-K welcome pass that supports before-school and after-school arrangements. 4. Notes on dates, deadlines, and timelines. Online applications open on October 1 of the preceding year; for September 2026 entry, PK-8 applications are due December 31 and Grades 9-12 applications are due January 15. Re-enrollment opens January 15 for current families, with additional admissions assessments for PK-8 in January–February. New student acceptance notifications for Pre-K through 12th-grade applicants are issued on February 27, 2026, with enrollment decisions due March 9, 2026; the school also notes a French Bourse deadline in March. General admissions for 2026-2027 indicate rolling admissions and space-based inquiries. 5. Decisions and enrollment. Admissions decisions are communicated by email, and for certain grade bands these decisions are issued in mid-March or on a rolling basis depending on space and the timeline. The school reserves the right to request additional information or an in-person interview for candidates at any grade level. For questions or to initiate the process, use the inquiry channel or contact the Admissions Office directly. 6. Final note. The school welcomes inquiries at all grade levels and emphasizes space availability when considering applications and enrollments. Financial aid and other supports are described separately in the Tuition & Financial Aid section.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships Financial aid is available, and twenty percent of LFC students receive financial aid; more than $2.3 million in financial support is awarded each year to eligible families. Financial aid uses FACTS to assess need; FACTS provides a needs analysis and a recommended contribution, while the school's Financial Aid Committee reviews the completed applications. Deadlines for new families include FACTS aid applications opening November 1, 2025 and closing December 31, 2025, with tax documents due February 9, 2026 and preliminary awards targeted by February 27, 2026, followed by final awards by April 28, 2026; current families have similar but slightly different timelines. French Government Scholarships may be available for French citizens living in the Chicago area; applications are submitted to the Consulate General of France in Chicago. The Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF) is a partner that offers high school scholarship assistance to Chicago students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds; the DMSF application deadline is October for current 8th graders and is conducted through DMSF's website. Donations to the LFC Fund and La Soirée support financial aid. In addition to need-based aid, the school provides external scholarship pathways (e.g., DMSF) and government scholarships where applicable; eligibility depends on family circumstances and program rules. Applicants should plan to submit the required documents and information on time to ensure consideration for aid alongside admissions.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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