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United States, Philadelphia
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
The school has a dress code. Clothing must be practical, neat, and safe; flip-flops, high heels, half T‑shirts, and torn pants are not allowed. Shorts and skirts must be at least half-thigh length, and all clothes should be labeled with the student's first and last name.
Lunch can be provided through the hot lunch program or as a lunch box; to order lunch, fill out the lunch sign-up sheet; the cost is $6.50 per lunch, with last-minute lunches available for $8.00. Mid-morning snacks are provided for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten; starting in first grade, students bring a separate snack from home for their morning break; menus change seasonally and are posted on the website.
The school is a not-for-profit independent school. The Board of Trustees directs long-range planning and is composed of 17 to 25 members; the Head of School, the Honorary Consul of France, and the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Parents' Association are ex-officio members. The school is accredited by the French Ministry of Education and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
The French International School of Philadelphia is a not-for-profit independent school serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. It offers a bilingual dual curriculum in French and English, with French instruction aligned to the official national curriculum of France and English instruction aligned to the standards of the State of Pennsylvania. Language Arts, Social Studies and Math are taught in both languages, with the balance gradually shifting from preschool to eighth grade (PK2 90% French / 10% English to 50/50 in upper grades). In addition, a Spanish immersion program began in 2022 for fourth and fifth graders. The science program includes monthly preschool exploration, formal science from grades 2–8, and annual science fairs including participation in the Montgomery County Science Fair. All students participate in weekly music classes; art is integrated across grades; sports are taught in English from grades 4–8. The Lower School sits on a two-acre Bala Cynwyd site; the Upper School campus expansion in 2022 added the Air Liquide Center for Science and Innovation and the Casey-Willig Arts Center, with space for up to 150 students. Accreditation comes from the French Ministry of Education and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
