French American School of Puget Sound - Mercer Island vs North Seattle French School

	F French American School of Puget Sound - Mercer Island Seattle, United States	N North Seattle French School Seattle, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $0 - 43,850	Fees / year $23,020
Age range	Age range 3 - 15 years	Age range 3 - 10 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum	Curriculum French Curriculum, American Curriculum, Singapore Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 445	Pupils 104
Typical class size	Typical class size 6	Typical class size 6
Instruction language	Instruction language French, English	Instruction language French, English
Opened	Opened 1995	Opened 2013
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 18560 1st Ave NE, Wing F, Shoreline, WA 98155, United States. The campus is in the Shoreline neighborhood within the Seattle metropolitan area. A private bus connects the Shoreline campus to Seattle, with routes to Green Lake and Phinney Ridge; pickup around 8:00 a.m. and drop-off around 5:35 p.m.; seats are first-come, first-served and bus enrollment is separate from after-school care.
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: Preschool, PreK and Kindergarten; L'Élémentaire: Grades 1–5.
School type	School type —	School type Private bilingual school with French immersion for preschool through 5th grade.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Over 60 nationalities represented. 38% of students have one Francophone parent.	Pupil nationality mix International pupil mix with families from many countries and languages.
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 A Learning Specialist provides differentiated instruction and supports individual learning needs.
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 Mission Laïque Française (MLF) network.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation Secular.
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure Maternelle runs 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (half-day) or 8:30 a.m.–3:15 p.m. (full-day); Kindergarten runs 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Elementary runs 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; After-school GLOBE runs 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Bus service details	Bus service details 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.	Bus service details Private 9-seat bus runs between Shoreline campus and Green Lake and Phinney Ridge in Seattle; pickup around 8:00 a.m. and drop-off around 5:35 p.m.; seats allocated on a first-come, first-served basis; bus enrollment is separate from GLOBE.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - Application fee (per student): USD 110. - Tuition-assistance application processing fee (Clarity): USD 65. 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. - Preschool (Bébé & TYPK only) — 2-day week - Annual tuition: USD 16,500. - Per-term (equal 3-term division): USD 5,500.00. - Enrollment deposit (8%): USD 1,320.00. - Preschool (Bébé & TYPK only) — 3-day week - Annual tuition: USD 23,500. - Per-term (equal 3-term division): USD 7,833.33. - Enrollment deposit (8%): USD 1,880.00. - Preschool / Elementary School (TYPK through Grade 5) - Annual tuition: USD 38,650. - Per-term (equal 3-term division): USD 12,883.33. - Enrollment deposit (8%): USD 3,092.00. - Middle School (Grades 6–8) - Annual tuition: USD 43,850. - Per-term (equal 3-term division): USD 14,616.67. - Enrollment deposit (8%): USD 3,508.00. - 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. Summary (quick reference) - Application fee: USD 110 per student. Tuition-assist application fee: USD 65 (Clarity). - Annual tuition (2026–2027): Preschool 2-day USD 16,500; Preschool 3-day USD 23,500; Preschool/Elementary USD 38,650; Middle School USD 43,850. Deposit = 8% of tuition (non-refundable). Sibling discounts: USD 3,500 (3rd), USD 5,000 (4th+).	Fee details Application fees - Application fee: USD 90 per child. This application fee is non‑refundable and may be paid online via Stripe (card) or by check. Tuition fees by program (2026–2027 school year) - Half‑day Preschool (Petite section & Moyenne section): USD 14,480 per year. Program hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. A 10% deposit of the annual tuition is due at enrollment (USD 1,448). Remaining balance after deposit: USD 13,032. Payment plan examples below show how that remaining balance is billed under each plan option. Included in tuition: all field trips (except the overnight 5th grade trip), books, and classroom supplies. - Full‑day Preschool (Petite section & Moyenne section): USD 23,020 per year. Program hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. A 10% deposit of the annual tuition is due at enrollment (USD 2,302). Remaining balance after deposit: USD 20,718. Included in tuition: all field trips (except the overnight 5th grade trip), books, and classroom supplies. - Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th grade): USD 23,020 per year. School hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. A 10% deposit of the annual tuition is due at enrollment (USD 2,302). Remaining balance after deposit: USD 20,718. Included in tuition: all field trips (except the overnight 5th grade trip), books, and classroom supplies. Per‑installment figures by payment plan (examples based on the required 10% deposit and the published annual tuition amounts) - Deposit due at enrollment (10% of tuition): - Half‑day Preschool: USD 1,448. - Full‑day Preschool: USD 2,302. - Elementary (K–5): USD 2,302. - Plan A — One‑time payment of the remaining balance (applies after deposit): a single remaining payment is made and a USD 100 discount is applied to that remaining balance. Example amounts after the 10% deposit and before the USD 100 discount: Half‑day remaining balance USD 13,032; Full‑day/Elementary remaining balance USD 20,718. The USD 100 discount is applied for the one‑time payment option. - Plan B — Three installments: remaining balance split into three payments billed in August, November, and February. Example installment amounts (remaining balance ÷ 3): - Half‑day Preschool: USD 4,344 per installment. - Full‑day Preschool: USD 6,906 per installment. - Elementary (K–5): USD 6,906 per installment. - Plan C — Nine monthly installments: remaining balance billed in nine equal monthly payments from August through April. Example monthly amounts (remaining balance ÷ 9): - Half‑day Preschool: USD 1,448 per month. - Full‑day Preschool: USD 2,302 per month. - Elementary (K–5): USD 2,302 per month. Fees & discounts - Application fee: USD 90 per child (non‑refundable). - New Family Fee: USD 500 one‑time payment for families new to the school; this fee and the deposit are due at the time of enrollment. - Sibling discount: younger siblings receive a 10% tuition discount. - Included in tuition: all field trips except the overnight 5th grade trip, books, and classroom supplies. Billing schedule and payment terms - The non‑refundable deposit equal to 10% of the annual tuition and the New Family Fee are due at the time of enrollment to secure a student's place. Remaining tuition is payable according to the family's selected plan (Plan A, B, or C). Plan B payments are scheduled for August, November, and February; Plan C payments run monthly from August through April. A USD 100 discount is offered for families choosing the one‑time payment option. Families should expect annual tuition announcements in January and routine tuition increases from year to year. Boarding fees - North Seattle French School is a day preschool and elementary (K–5) program and does not operate a boarding program; boarding fees are not applicable. School hours and program types are published for preschool and elementary day programs. Other costs and optional programs - New Family Fee: USD 500 (one‑time). - After‑school GLOBE program (optional) and a private school bus service operating between the Shoreline campus and areas in Seattle are offered; these programs are arranged and billed separately from base tuition. Specific fees for the after‑school program and bus service are charged in addition to tuition. Refund information - The application fee (USD 90 per child) is non‑refundable. The deposit equal to 10% of annual tuition is non‑refundable and is required to secure enrollment. Other refund terms for tuition or additional program fees are governed by the school's enrollment and billing policies. Fee payment options - Application fee payment methods explicitly listed: online via Stripe (card) or by check. Families pay the non‑refundable application fee when submitting the application and pay the non‑refundable deposit and New Family Fee at enrollment. Payment arrangements for the remainder of tuition follow the selected payment plan (one‑time, three installments, or nine monthly installments).
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 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 The school's bilingual curriculum aligns Washington State Common Core standards with the internationally recognized French curriculum, mapping overlaps and differences to integrate both. It enables bi-literacy and allows transition into either a French school or the local school system for middle school. The program emphasizes speaking, reading, writing, thinking, creative projects, and social-emotional learning in two languages. In preschool and kindergarten, instruction is primarily in French; in 4th and 5th grades, English time increases to a 50/50 ratio between languages. English and French teachers co-teach daily and collaborate on lesson plans and student growth, with regular language-department meetings and curricular projects.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio 7:1 student-to-adult ratio.	Student teacher ratio —
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 —
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 —
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 —
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 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 Step 1 - Submit an Application Online. We are now accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year. Please submit an online application with the non-refundable $90 application fee per child, payable via Stripe or by check. If you are interested in the 2025-26 school year, contact admissions to know if space is available; preschool entrants must be 3 by December 31, 2026 and kindergarten entrants must be 5 by December 31, 2026.
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.	Scholarships Needs-based Tuition Assistance for K-5 is offered to help families access NSFS's bilingual education; Preschool does not currently offer financial aid. Aid is awarded as a grant and does not require repayment; awards range from 5% to 45% of tuition and are determined by the NSFS Tuition Assistance Committee using FAST, which analyzes family income, assets, family size, and other factors. The FAST online application opens January 9, 2026 and is due February 13, 2026 for new families (January 20, 2026 for returning families); multiple documents including tax returns and income proofs are required. For preschool, no NSFS aid is available; for eligible families, French Government Scholarships (Bourses Scolaires Françaises) may be available in addition to NSFS aid by applying with NSFS and consulting the Consulat Général de San Francisco site for deadlines. Tuition amounts for 2026-27: Half-day Preschool $14,480; Full-day Preschool $23,020; Elementary $23,020; Includes field trips, books, and supplies; Deposit 10% and New Family Fee $500; Sibling Discount 10%; Payment plans: Plan A (one-time payment with $100 discount), Plan B (3 installments), Plan C (9 installments).
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
	View full profile →	View full profile →