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United States, Raleigh
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1. The school is the only French preschool and French-English bilingual kindergarten and elementary school in North Carolina. The elementary program opened in 2021 and has been accredited since June 2024 through the French Ministry of Education and AEFE. The school plans to expand to Lycée and offers in-person tours by appointment.
2. From preschool through fifth grade, classes are taught 60% in French and 40% in English. The curriculum combines the rigor of the French Education Nationale curriculum with the dynamism of the North Carolina standards, aiming to develop proficiency across languages and core skills. The program covers languages for thinking and communicating, methods and tools for learning, moral and civic education, and other key areas.
3. Tuition and fees include a non-refundable registration fee of $495 per child. Yearly tuition is $14,933, with options to pay in full or in ten installments. Siblings of current students receive a 5% tuition discount and admissions priority; all applicants must complete the full admissions process. Preschool offers specific schedules and rates listed under Tuition.
4. The priority application deadline is in March, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis to help secure space. Tours are offered one family at a time, and families are encouraged to download the brochure to learn more about the program. For questions, families may contact the school administration.
5. The school offers scholarships and tuition assistance. The Elizabeth King Scholarship Fund supports students in memory of a beloved teacher. The school participates in the NC Opportunity Scholarship Program, and French parents may apply for a scholarship through the French Education System. Details and forms are provided by the administration.
6. Language requirements for admission: Does not require French for preschool; beginning in Kindergarten, some French is required; by 1st grade, most students are conversant in French, with immersion continuing across grades. Beginning in Kindergarten through 5th grade, classes are taught in a bilingual model, helping students develop proficiency in both languages.
- NC Opportunity Scholarship Program: The school participates in this program and scholarships may be awarded up to about $7,000 per child. All families enrolling may apply, regardless of income.
- Elizabeth King Scholarship Fund: Established in memory of Elizabeth King, the school has directed contributions to this fund to support students; five children have benefited from a total contribution of $51,560, with the fund representing a portion of overall support. The school will explain the process and provide the necessary forms.
- French Education System scholarship: French parents may apply for a scholarship through the French Education System to support families attending schools that follow the Education Nationale curriculum. To apply, email the director to receive the application form.
For more details, see the Scholarships page on the site and contact administration for guidance.
Located at 5510 Munford Road, Raleigh, L'école - French International School of Raleigh offers bilingual French–English instruction for preschool through elementary. It has been accredited since June 2024 by the French Ministry of Education and AEFE. It is the only French full-immersion preschool and bilingual elementary program in the state. Preschool follows the official French Education curriculum for Maternelle, organized around five axes: Appropriation of Language; First Mathematical Tools; Physical Activity; Artistic Activities; Discovering World. Oral language development is prioritized, with a life notebook linking home and school. Elementary blends the French Education Nationale framework (75% French, 25% English) with the North Carolina Common Core, across five domains. The school day runs 8:30 am–3:00 pm, with childcare and after-school care. Facilities include a library with English and French books, a gym, and a playground. Plans exist to expand toward a Lycée. Extracurriculars include Yoga, Chess, Music, Arithmetic, Soccer, and Jiu-Jitsu.
