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United States, Philadelphia
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The school teaches a dual curriculum in French and English. Language Arts, Social Studies and Math are taught in both languages. French classes follow the official national curriculum of France, while English classes follow the standards established by the State of Pennsylvania. Language exposure increases gradually from preschool through eighth grade, balancing time between the two languages.
All students have weekly music classes. Preschool through kindergarten work with the French music teacher; grades 1–4 work with the English music teacher; and grades 5–8 work with both. Art is integrated at every grade level, and students study artists and develop aesthetics while expressing creativity through varied media. The school hosts regular visits to art institutions, invites local artists, and runs an annual end-of-year art exhibit.
Assemblies celebrate world cultures and diverse cultures within the school community. Field trips accompany class themes to places such as the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Independence Hall, and other cultural sites. In 2022, Spanish immersion began for fourth and fifth graders, taught by native speakers to explore cultures across the Hispanic world. The curriculum supports bilingualism and cross-cultural learning in both French and English.
Extended Day offers Upper School team sports: soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, and swim in the spring, with practices twice a week after school. A Chorus (grades 2–4) meets weekly, and an Ensemble meets weekly as well. After-school classes include chess, theater, soccer, and circus, with some programs conducted in French to reinforce language skills. After-school study hall provides supervised time for homework.
Field Trips, Assemblies & Traditions reinforce the school's values and sense of community through ongoing activities and celebrations. Field trips include visits to the Penn Museum, Independence Hall, the Barnes Foundation, and the Opera Company. The Parents Association and Diversity Committee coordinate service and social events; the MLK Day of Service engages students, families and alumni in community projects. The School also hosts Thanksgiving and Earth Day activities and other charitable initiatives.
Upper School students participate in soccer, basketball, and swim teams as part of Team Sports. Chorus and Ensemble provide musical performance opportunities after school, and a range of after-school classes includes chess, theater and circus. Morning care runs from 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., after-school care from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and study hall is available after school under teacher supervision.
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.
