Les Lilas French Bilingual Community School vs North Seattle French School

	L Les Lilas French Bilingual Community School Seattle, United States	N North Seattle French School Seattle, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $16,100 - 31,900	Fees / year $23,020
Age range	Age range 3 - 11 years	Age range 3 - 10 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum French Curriculum, Montessori Curriculum	Curriculum French Curriculum, American Curriculum, Singapore Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 100	Pupils 104
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size 6
Instruction language	Instruction language French, English	Instruction language French, English
Opened	Opened 2015	Opened 2013
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	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.	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 La Maternelle (ages 3–6); L'Élémentaire (ages 6–9); La Grande Élémentaire (ages 9–11); preschool through 5th grade.	Stages La Maternelle: Preschool, PreK and Kindergarten; L'Élémentaire: Grades 1–5.
School type	School type Independent, private, French-English bilingual school.	School type Private bilingual school with French immersion for preschool through 5th grade.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix International pupil mix with families from many countries and languages.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support A Learning Specialist provides differentiated instruction and supports individual learning needs.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Affiliated with AEFE and Mission Laïque Française (MLF Monde).	Country affiliation Affiliated with Mission Laïque Française (MLF) network.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation Secular.
School day structure	School day structure Regular hours: 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Extended day: 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.	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 —	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 and non‑refundable fees - 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.	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 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.	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 Small class sizes.	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
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 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 —	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 —
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