Compare French Curriculum International Schools in Washington dc, United states

Rochambeau operates two campuses in Bethesda, Maryland: Maplewood Campus (9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814) and Forest Road Campus (9600 Forest Road, Bethesda, MD 20814). Administrative Offices are at 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814. The campuses are located in the Bethesda area with access to major transit routes along Rockville Pike.

Preschool through High School (ages 2 through 12th grade). Maplewood Campus houses Preschool through 5th grade, while Forest Road Campus houses Middle School and High School.

French international school.

Over 80 nationalities represented. The United States is the most common nationality among Rochambeau students.

Student Learning Support (SLS) provides tutoring, French language support for non-native speakers, and social and emotional support, delivered in individual or small-group formats, in coordination with families and teachers.

AEFE (Agency for French Education Overseas) network.

Rochambeau provides a comprehensive bus system with morning pickups and two afternoon runs at 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm across Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC, serving 127 stops over 165 square miles. The school operates a shuttle between the Forest Road and Maplewood campuses and maintains Park & Bus pickup points near the Maplewood campus. Intercampus shuttle service has restrictions and is available to students with siblings on both campuses or who live nearby; bus service for Maplewood is required for students aged 5+ while it is recommended but not required on Forest Road.

The school is an independent, coeducational day school serving ages 2 through 12.

All students must have a uniform for physical education and sports (EPS). This includes a Rochambeau-logo T-shirt, and the uniform is available at the school store. For field trips, students wear a white shirt, navy blue pants, the Rochambeau tie (provided at the start of the school year), and dress shoes.

Lunch options include bringing lunch from home; Maplewood and Forest Road campuses are nut-free. Balducci's provides prepared lunches for Maplewood Campus (CP–CM2) and Forest Road Campus (6th through 12th grade), with optional participation and minimum participation requirements; registration is via MyschoolBucks.

The school is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board operates under Rochambeau's bylaws (The Rochambeau, the French International School of Washington, DC).

Rochambeau offers a bilingual French-English curriculum for students from age 2 through 12th grade. The school follows the French national curriculum and awards both the Maryland High School Diploma after 11th grade and the French Baccalaure9at or International Baccalaureate Diploma after 12th grade. The IB Diploma Programme is offered, with the French Baccalaure9at International (BFI) option available. Beginning in ninth grade, students may continue in the French track or pursue the IB Diploma. World Languages include Spanish and German, with Latin offered as an elective, and a French Immersion program starts in early childhood.

9:1 student-teacher ratio

Rochambeau provides a Maryland high school diploma after 11th grade and the French Baccalauréat or International Baccalaureate Diploma after 12th grade. 100% of graduates are admitted to four-year colleges. For the Class of 2025, 74 students submitted 649 applications to 222 institutions in 16 countries; by May 2025, there were 363 admissions across 14 countries, with about $6.4 million in scholarships awarded.

100% of the Class of 2025 achieved the French Bac with 44% receiving the mention très bien. A total of 74 students submitted 649 applications to 222 colleges and universities located in 16 countries. By May 2025, Rochambeau had 363 college acceptances across 14 countries, and students were awarded about $6.4 million in scholarships.

Honors recognition is available for high-achieving students. In the IB program results, 87% of students were awarded the IB Diploma with Honors, 53% earned the Advanced Bilingual Diploma, and 16% earned Highest Honors and Distinction.

The school integrates social emotional learning into daily life. Classroom guidance lessons are designed for each grade level, focusing on emotional awareness, stress management, healthy relationships, and preparation for life after high school. Campus wide initiatives include Rochambeau Unplugged, Wellness Wednesdays, Mental Health Awareness Week, Recreation Recess, and mindfulness practices. Motivational Mondays connect storytelling and social media to raise mental health awareness and reduce stigma. Counselors provide individual check ins and small group sessions, and support new families during transitions.

The School Learning Support SLS department provides support to students to achieve greater academic success, including academic tutoring, French language support for non native speakers, and social and emotional support. The SLS team offers services individually or in small groups, inside or outside the classroom, and collaborates with families, teachers, and outside professionals to identify tools, learning plans and objectives, and to support students at home and at school. The department includes French Language Support Teachers FLSCO and Learning Support Teachers SLS who work with students across primary and secondary grades.

English beginners are placed in a dedicated English Language Learning ESL program; English is not a prerequisite for any grade. The ESL program is designed to support English development for new learners.

Mental wellbeing is prioritized through a school wide theme and targeted activities. World Mental Health Day is highlighted with a week of activities for students and families, and counselors provide individual check ins and small group support. Motivational Mondays and other wellness initiatives foster open dialogue about emotional health.

Health and safety are central to Rochambeaus safeguarding approach. The Health Team includes a school nurse at both Maplewood and Forest Road campuses. Medical requirements and forms include immunization certificates for all students. A Communicable Disease Policy governs health measures, and policies exist for administering medication and safeguarding records. The School Counseling Handbook and consent forms support privacy and appropriate reporting when needed.

The admissions process starts in October, one year before the school year being applied for, and continues on a rolling admissions basis after the first round deadline in January. Priority is given to families with siblings already enrolled and to students from the AEFE network. Steps to apply: 1. Register for a tour (on campus or virtual). 2. Complete the online application and pay a $150 non-refundable application fee. 3. Upload the required items: a photo of your child, a birth certificate or French Livret de famille, a letter of motivation explaining why Rochambeau and the French curriculum fit your family, and copies of the child's previous report cards plus a Teacher Evaluation Form. 4. Assessments: for students enrolled in AEFE-accredited schools, admission is based on school records; for students from non-AEFE schools, a virtual assessment is arranged; French beginners applying for the immersion program (Grade 1) may require WPPSI-IV or WISC-V testing and an immersion teacher interview. 5. Parent interview with a member of the admissions team or school director. Rochambeau reserves the right to request additional recommendations or to require additional school work and to offer conditional admission or deny admission. Admission decisions: applications complete with all required items by January 15 will receive notifications by March 7; applications received after January 15 are reviewed on a rolling basis. If admitted, sign the enrollment contract and pay non-refundable enrollment fees: a first-time enrollment fee of $2,500 (one-time per family) and an annual registration fee per child of $1,500, of which $650 is applied toward tuition (fees subject to change). For Middle and High School (French Baccalaureate) and the International Baccalaureate program, additional steps apply (an English assessment in June for class placement in some programs; IB requires a student essay, teacher evaluations, language assessments, and an interview).

Rochambeau offers financial aid based on financial need, awarded without discrimination and may cover up to 80% of tuition, enrollment fees, transportation, and school trips. Aid amounts vary by year and are awarded after review by the financial aid committee; applications are submitted through FACTS and remain confidential. The school may provide supplemental financial aid to families who already receive AEFE scholarships. French citizens may apply for AEFE scholarships or Rochambeau financial aid, and may also pursue Rochambeau aid if not eligible for AEFE. The financial aid process for the 2026–2027 school year opens in January 2026; required documents include 2025 tax returns, 2025 W-2s, and other supporting materials; the application is processed in two steps: FACTS verification (2–3 weeks) and Rochambeau review (which may include an interview). Deadlines are published; after the stated dates, applications may be considered on a rolling basis within budget. A French Government Scholarship route is also available for eligible French citizens via the French Consulate.

The school maintains a waitlist. Families can submit a waitlist form to request placement for a specific grade level; the form captures the student's name and grade and is year-specific (e.g., Waitlist 25-26). The form requires Javascript to submit.

The Parks at Walter Reed, 1400 Main Drive NW, Washington, DC 20012. The school is located at Delano Hall on the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus, with the main entrance at the corner of 16th Street NW and Main Drive NW and the back entrance at Aspen Street NW and 14th Street NW. Buses D31, S2, and S4 travel on 16th Street to Delano Hall; 52, 53, and 54 travel on 14th Street to Delano Hall; 70 and 79 travel on Georgia Avenue to the opposite side of the campus (a 7-minute walk to Delano Hall). The nearest Metro station is Takoma (Red Line; the 53 bus from Takoma takes about 5 minutes to Delano Hall, with a 19-minute walk from Takoma).

Middle and high school (grades 6–12)

Public charter middle and high school

Targeted academic support in grades 11–12 to prepare for IB assessments

Middle school: English and Math every day; language track (French, Spanish, or Chinese) daily; electives on alternating days. High school: English, Math, language, Science, and History every day; electives, arts, and PE on alternating days.

Buses: D31, S2, and S4 on 16th Street to Delano Hall; 52, 53, and 54 on 14th Street to Delano Hall; 70 and 79 on Georgia Avenue to the other side of the campus (7-minute walk to Delano Hall)

Uniforms are provided for all sports teams and must be returned at the end of the season.

The school provides a healthy breakfast from 7:45 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. and lunch with purchase options following DC regulations. There are no refrigeration options for food brought from home, and designated microwaves are available during lunch. The school is not a nut-free school; peanuts and peanut-containing foods may be allowed in specific areas.

The DCI Board of Trustees makes critical decisions pertaining to management, facilities, finance, and fundraising and serves in the role of the School Board.

The school is an IB World School offering an International Baccalaureate for All program. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) serves grades 6-10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) or Career Programme (CP) serves grades 11-12. Language tracks include French, Spanish, and Chinese, with daily language study and electives often taught in the target language. English is the language of instruction for core subjects, and the IB framework emphasizes inquiry-based learning, student agency, and global mindedness. The IB program integrates language development with rigorous, college-preparatory coursework and culminates in IB assessments and related certificates.

Graduates earn a DCI Diploma, an IB Diploma, an IB Career-related Certificate, course-specific IB certificates, and/or an IB Bilingual Diploma. The school is rated Tier 1 by the DC PCSB and consistently outperforms the city PARCC averages. Final examinations are part of the program and prepare students for university and life beyond.

Graduates attend a range of colleges and universities; many universities offer college credit for IB coursework and give preference in admissions to IB Diploma candidates.

DCI supports social-emotional learning through the IB framework and a daily Approaches to Learning class that builds social skills and study strategies. The IB program emphasizes environmental stewardship, social justice, and language and culture to develop responsible global citizens. Student Agency & Technology gives students voice and ownership in their education, aligning with SEL goals. The IB learner profile emphasizes balance, reflection, and effective communication as core dispositions. The Mental Health Department provides a comprehensive counseling program addressing social, emotional, and academic needs, supported by a vision that emphasizes emotional balance and reflective growth.

DCI uses a Response to Intervention (RtI) model to address instructional concerns and reduce inappropriate referrals to special education. Students' progress is monitored at each stage of intervention, with supports provided in small groups or individually in general education or in special education. DC International School conducts Child Find to identify and evaluate all eligible students aged 11 to 22 for special education and related services. The policy requires initial evaluations within 60 days of consent and outlines referral procedures and parent safeguards. Target populations include homeless students, those in CFSA custody, and youth rehabilitation services; coordination with CFSA, DBH, and Mary's Center is maintained. The staff contact for questions about services is the Director of Student Support Services, Kimberly Colley.

Language learning is a daily requirement at DCI; students take their language class every day. DCI offers three target languages—Spanish, French, and Chinese—with language immersion of 25-50% in these languages. Electives and some content courses may be taught in the target language, while courses in English remain available when students are not yet ready for content in the target language. The program aims to improve English proficiency and intercultural competence and prepare students for tomorrow's workforce. Proficiency is measured on the ACTFL scale.

The Mental Health Department provides a comprehensive, data-responsive, and developmentally appropriate counseling program addressing social, emotional, and academic needs. The vision emphasizes the IB learner profile, with communication, reflection, and emotional balance as key elements. Counseling services support students across grade levels and align with IB values to promote wellbeing and resilience. The department operates within the school's IB framework to support the whole child. The department's approach is to empower students to develop skills for balanced, healthy growth.

DCI maintains a Child Find policy to identify, locate, and evaluate all students with disabilities between ages 11 and 22. Points of Contact for concerns about Child Find include the Director of Student Support Services, Kimberly Colley, with phone and email. Outreach efforts include information at school events, publication in handbooks and calendars, and annual conferences. DC International School coordinates with external agencies such as the CFSA, the Department of Behavioral Health, and Mary's Center. Referrals and initial evaluations follow procedures that require consent, with timelines (initial evaluation within 60 days) and protections for parental rights. Staff receive annual training to ensure adherence to Child Find responsibilities.

Admissions are open to all DC residents and occur through the My School DC lottery; families cannot apply directly to DCI. DCI accepts applications for Grades 6-9 and offers language tracks in Chinese, French, and Spanish; applicants may apply to one, two, or all three language tracks. Students from DCI member elementary schools have priority for sixth grade admissions; member schools are DC Bilingual PCS, E.W. Stokes Community Freedom PCS, Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS, Mundo Verde PCS, and Washington Yu Ying PCS. There are preferences (Sibling, Children of Staff, Founders); if seats remain after member-school priority, they may be offered to general lottery applicants; there are no prerequisites, no prior IB experience, no minimum GPA, and no minimum language proficiency required.

The French Maternal School is at 3224 N Street NW in Washington, DC 20007 (Georgetown).

18 months to 6 years: TPS (18m-2+), PS (3+), MS (4+), GS/Kindergarten (5+).

The French Maternal School is a small independent co-educational nursery school.

Serves the French, international, and diplomatic communities.

French National Curriculum inspired.

Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Directed by Peggy Pacot, Ph.D.

Inspired by the French National Curriculum. Emphasises language development, creativity, early literacy, math concepts, and social growth.

Social growth is emphasised alongside academics.

Registration available.