French American School of Puget Sound - Mercer Island vs Les Lilas French Bilingual Community School
French American School of Puget Sound - Mercer Island and Les Lilas French Bilingual Community School are both in Seattle, about 16 km apart. Both schools offer French programmes. French American School of Puget Sound - Mercer Island also offers American and Bespoke, and Les Lilas French Bilingual Community School also offers Montessori. Published annual fees are close, at $0 - 43,850 for French American School of Puget Sound - Mercer Island and $16,100 - 31,900 for Les Lilas French Bilingual Community School. French American School of Puget Sound - Mercer Island takes pupils from 3 to 15, and Les Lilas French Bilingual Community School from 3 to 11. French American School of Puget Sound - Mercer Island is the larger school, with around 445 pupils to Les Lilas French Bilingual Community School's 100. Typical class sizes are 6 at French American School of Puget Sound - Mercer Island and 15 at Les Lilas French Bilingual Community School.
American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum
Curriculum
French Curriculum, Montessori Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
445
Pupils
100
Typical class size
Typical class size
6
Typical class size
15
Instruction language
Instruction language
French, English
Instruction language
French, English
Opened
Opened
1995
Opened
2015
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
FASPS operates two current campuses in the Puget Sound region: Mercer Island campus (Preschool through Grade 8) at 3795 East Mercer Way, Mercer Island, WA 98040, just off I-90 next to the Stroum Jewish Community Center; Seattle – Capitol Hill campus (Preschool) at 1823 East Madison Street, Seattle, WA 98122. A North Beacon Hill campus for Upper Elementary and Middle School is planned at 2203 23rd Avenue S, Seattle, WA 98144, coming soon.
Location
14216 132nd Avenue NE, Kirkland, WA 98034. The school is located in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland. The school serves preschool through 5th grade.
Stages
Stages
18 months through Grade 8. Mercer Island campus serves Preschool through Middle School; Seattle – Capitol Hill campus serves Preschool; a future North Beacon Hill campus will serve Upper Elementary and Middle School.
Stages
La Maternelle (ages 3–6); L'Élémentaire (ages 6–9); La Grande Élémentaire (ages 9–11); preschool through 5th grade.
Over 60 nationalities represented. 38% of students have one Francophone parent.
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
HiCap Program supports highly capable students with flexible learning pathways, enrichment, cross-grade placement, and curriculum acceleration. Formal identification requires an external educational psychologist evaluation, typically including cognitive testing (e.g., WISC-V) and a full-scale IQ above 130.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) affiliation and Mission Laïque Française (MLF Monde). Member of AFSA (Association of French Schools in North America), and connected with NAIS and NWAIS networks.
Country affiliation
Affiliated with AEFE and Mission Laïque Française (MLF Monde).
The bus program serves Seattle and the Eastside. Buses run once in the morning, arriving by 8:10 AM, and twice in the afternoon, leaving at 3:50 PM and 5:00 PM. Registration is first-come, first-served for Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Tuition fees by year group (2026–2027 academic year)
All amounts shown are annual tuition in USD. Per-term figures below are the annual amount divided into three equal installments (simple 3-term division for reference). Deposit calculations shown are 8% of the annual tuition.
- Sibling discounts - Third enrolled sibling: USD 3,500 discount. - Fourth sibling and up: USD 5,000 discount.
Deposit and refund information
- Enrollment deposit: 8% of total tuition. The deposit is non-refundable and is required to secure an enrollment seat. - Other refund terms (for tuition, auxiliary programs, camps, or ancillary fees) are governed by the school's enrollment and program agreements; the 8% enrollment deposit is explicitly non-refundable.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Enrollment requires a signed enrollment contract and payment of the enrollment deposit (8% of tuition) by the school's published deadlines for the admission cycle; the school publishes specific deadlines for tuition-assistance and enrollment steps for each admissions cycle. For the 2026–2027 cycle, tuition-assistance application deadlines were published as January 9, 2026 (returning families) and February 27, 2026 (new families). - The school issues tuition and program charges according to the enrollment and billing procedures set in the enrollment contract and billing communications. The enrollment deposit is applied toward the total tuition balance.
Other costs and optional program fees
- Garderie (before- and after-school care), enrichment classes, middle-school extended-day activities, break camps, and summer camps are offered as auxiliary programs; these programs are available yearlong, session-based, or drop-in and typically carry additional fees separate from base tuition. Pre-registration is required for many auxiliary programs. - Hot lunch service is available to all grades through a partner ordering platform (Ordo); lunch orders and payments are handled through that system and are charged in addition to tuition. - Transportation, clubs, certain enrichment offerings, and some middle-school activities may incur additional charges; these are billed separately according to program sign-up and participation rules. - Uniforms are not listed as a standard, universal charge; any required or optional school-branded items or supplies would be charged separately when applicable.
Boarding
- The school operates preschool through Grade 8 and does not provide a boarding program; boarding fees are not applicable.
Tuition assistance and scholarships
- FASPS awards need-based tuition assistance and reports awarding over USD 2 million annually to support roughly 20% of families. Need-based tuition-assistance applications for the 2026–2027 cycle are processed through the Clarity platform; the Clarity application requires a USD 65 fee. French citizens may also be eligible for French government Bourse Scolaire (AEFE) support administered via the French Consulate channels.
Fee payment options and processing (application, program, and auxiliary fees)
- Application and tuition-assistance application fees are processed online through the school's application and financial-aid platforms (Ravenna for admissions applications and Clarity for financial-aid applications). Hot-lunch orders and payments are processed through Ordo. Specific payment methods accepted for tuition bills and auxiliary program invoices (for example, credit card, ACH/bank transfer, or check) are set out in the school's enrollment and billing communications for each admissions cycle and in program registration materials.
- Application Fee (new & returning students): USD $100, due January 31, 2026. - Enrollment deposit to secure a spot: 10% of the annual tuition, due March 1, 2026 (listed as a non‑refundable deposit). - New Family Fee (one‑time): USD $1,500, due June 30, 2026. - Learning Journey / Snack Fee (annual): USD $600, due August 1, 2026.
Tuition fees by program (annual and monthly amounts)
- La Maternelle (ages 3–6) — Half Day (8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.): Annual USD $15,500; Monthly USD $1,550. - La Maternelle (ages 3–6) — School Day (8:00 a.m.–3:15 p.m.): Annual USD $21,500; Monthly USD $2,150. - La Maternelle (ages 3–6) — Dawn‑to‑Dusk (7:45 a.m.–6:00 p.m.): Annual USD $27,000; Monthly USD $2,700. - L'Élémentaire (ages 6–9) — School Day (8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.): Annual USD $21,900; Monthly USD $2,190. - L'Élémentaire (ages 6–9) — Dawn‑to‑Dusk (7:45 a.m.–6:00 p.m.): Annual USD $27,400; Monthly USD $2,740. - La Grande Élémentaire (ages 9–11) — School Day (8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.): Annual USD $22,300; Monthly USD $2,230. - La Grande Élémentaire (ages 9–11) — Dawn‑to‑Dusk (7:45 a.m.–6:00 p.m.): Annual USD $27,800; Monthly USD $2,780.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Payment timing options: Yearly payment (due July 1, 2026) or Monthly — 9 equal payments (September 1, 2026 through June 1, 2027; March 2027 is prepaid with the deposit). - A deposit equal to 10% of annual tuition is required to secure enrollment (deposit due March 1, 2026). - Tuition is due on the first of each month when on the monthly plan. A late fee of 15% of the delinquent balance is assessed after the 5th day of the month. If tuition and fees remain unpaid within seven school days, attendance will be suspended until payment is current. Returned payments incur a USD $35 service charge. - Garderie, Découverte (enrichment), and camps are enrolled and billed separately from tuition.
Boarding fees
- Not applicable. Les Lilas is a day school serving preschool through grade 5 and does not offer boarding facilities.
Other costs and recurring fees
- Garderie daily drop‑in (3:00–6:00 p.m.): USD $20 per hour. - Early drop‑off (before 8:00 a.m.): USD $7 for every 5 minutes. - Découverte (after‑school 1‑hour enrichment) — Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions (8 classes / session): USD $280 per session. - Garderie on Parent/Teacher Collaboration Days (12:30 to child's regular dismissal time, preregistration required): USD $60 per day. - Fall & Spring Break Camps (9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.): USD $450 per week for students; USD $500 per week for non‑students. - Mid‑Winter Break Camp (9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.): USD $180 for 2 days. - School Break Camps aftercare (3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.): USD $225 per week. - Summer Camp (seasonal program): USD $465 per week.
Refunds and cancellation
- All tuition payments are non‑refundable, including in cases of unanticipated school closures. There is explicitly no refund for dawn‑to‑dusk tuition in cases of unanticipated closures (for example, stay‑at‑home orders or inclement weather). Non‑refundable fees (application, deposit, new family fee, learning journey/snack fee) are identified and have specified due dates.
Discounts and special billing notes
- A sibling tuition discount of 10% applies to the second student (the student with the lower tuition). Families may choose to donate this discount back to the school as a tax‑deductible annual fund donation. Les Lilas reserves the right to raise tuition and fees each year.
Fee payment options (billing formats and timing)
- Billing formats: pay the full annual tuition (yearly) or spread tuition over nine equal monthly payments (September–June, with March prepaid by the deposit). Tuition on monthly plans is billed and due on the first of each month. The published schedule does not list specific accepted instruments (credit card, bank transfer/ACH, or check) in the tuition & fees document; for accepted payment instruments or to arrange payment, contact the Les Lilas Business Office at dyana@les-lilas.com or the school main contact at contact@les-lilas.com.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The FASPS Approach blends the French national education framework with US practices to prepare students for success. Bilingual instruction is integrated across subjects, enabling students to think, learn, and innovate in both French and English. The curriculum follows France's cycles, aligning grade levels with the French system through a Cycle and Grade Conversion Chart. MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessments monitor growth in mathematics, reading, and language usage and provide RIT scores to track progress over time. The school serves students from 18 months through Grade 8 and is accredited by the French Ministry of Education and the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS).
Curriculum details
Les Lilas French Bilingual Community School serves preschool through 5th grade in Kirkland, Washington. The program is Montessori-based and French-English bilingual. La Maternelle (ages 3–6) uses mixed-age classrooms with small class sizes and a Montessori curriculum; six hours of English instruction weekly. L'Élémentaire (ages 6–9) is Cycle 2, a mixed-age class (CP/1st through CE2/3rd) with a lead teacher certified in French and Montessori; instruction is in French with immersion, and a portion of math is taught in English, plus a bilingual project one afternoon each week. La Grande Élémentaire (ages 9–11) is Cycle 3 (CM1/4th and CM2/5th) with continued French immersion and Montessori materials, supplemented by technology-enabled projects; English is included along with a bilingual project.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
7:1 student-to-adult ratio.
Student teacher ratio
Small class sizes.
Exam results
Exam results
MAP assessments show that FASPS students grow consistently and perform well above national and international averages across grade levels, with particular strength in mathematics and reading. MAP results provide growth data over time to inform instruction.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
FASPS alumni have attended a range of universities, including the University of Washington, Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Georgetown University, and the University of California Berkeley, among others.
Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
HiCap Program supports highly capable students who demonstrate advanced cognitive abilities, curiosity, and a strong need for academic challenge. Within a bilingual environment, students progress at a pace aligned with their strengths while remaining socially connected and emotionally supported. Formal identification requires external evaluation (e.g., WISC-V) and typically demonstrates a full-scale IQ above 130. The program offers enrichment, cross-grade placement, and curriculum acceleration, including three types of enrichment (Exploratory, Skill-Building, and Research & Innovation) and flexible pathways. Decisions about HiCap services are made collaboratively with families.
Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
The school offers a harmonized bilingual program from TYPK (18 months) through Grade 8, combining French and American curricula to develop proficiency in both languages. Learn about FASPS by signing up for an in-person tour or registering for open houses through the Ravenna application portal. Preschool and kindergarten applicants can attend Discovery Morning on a Saturday in March, while elementary and middle school applicants experience a Class Visit Day scheduled by the Director of Enrollment Management. A 15‑minute Book a Call with the admissions team is available to answer questions.
Admissions
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Scholarships
Scholarships
The school awards over $2 million in tuition assistance each year, supporting about 20% of families. The program is based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds, with the Clarity Financial Aid system used to determine a family's level of need based on assets, income, expenses, and debts (the application is mobile-friendly). French citizens may be eligible for Bourses Scolaires through the French Consulate in San Francisco, and families may also apply for tuition assistance with FASPS; the Bourse Scolaire application is submitted online through Scolaide, a portal managed by AEFE, with information on creating a profile available from the Director of Enrollment Management. A list of supporting documents can be found for the Bourses Scolaires, and eligibility details are provided by the French Consulate. The school's Tuition Assistance FAQ explains that tuition assistance decisions are independent from admissions decisions, and that the Tuition Assistance Committee (comprising the Head of School, CFO, Director of Enrollment Management, and a board member) makes those decisions based on the provided financial information; a New Family Fee is a one-time charge that supports capital expenditures.
