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United States, Seattle
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Les Lilas opened its doors in September 2015 on the initiative of a French math teacher living in the United States and her business-minded American sister-in-law. Their mission was to create and develop a school adapted to the individual needs of children, based on a pedagogy that allows each child to transcend the pre-established limits of traditional schools and to reach their full potential in school and in life. The school's name embodies three ideas: Les Lilas (Lilac) signifies joy and a desire to learn; French reflects a commitment to the curriculum of the French Ministry of Education; and Bilingual and Community emphasize dual language instruction and parental involvement. The school relocated in 2016 to a larger space at Bridle Trails Mall and opened L'Élémentaire for grades 1–3; in 2017 it received certification from the Department of Children, Youth & Families and, in 2018, nonprofit status and the opening of La Grande Élémentaire for grades 4–5. It was accredited by Mission Laïque Française in 2020, achieved homologation by the French Ministry of Education with AEFE membership in 2023, and in 2024 added a new building for an extra Lower Elementary class along with playground renovations.
The school emphasizes a community where teachers, parents, and children learn together, and parent involvement is encouraged through volunteering to help teachers with monthly learning journeys (field trips), organizing traditional cultural celebrations, or leading weekly art, science, or sports/fitness workshops. The Calendar of Events features community-building activities such as French Fest, learning journeys like Museum of Illusions, and family-oriented events including Math Week and scheduled DELF assessments. Examples of recent events include a Community Building Event: French Fest and the Elementaires Learning Journey: Museum of Illusions, illustrating ongoing engagement across the student body and families.
The Parent Association is the Les Lilas Action Committee (LAC); enrollment automatically makes you a member. The LAC's purpose is to keep the Les Lilas community healthy and rewarding and to mobilize parent resources for the school's support. The Parent Association is led by elected officers. The 2025–2026 committee includes Sara Bidgood as Co-Chair, with a second Co-Chair to be announced (TBD).
Les Lilas French Bilingual Community School in Kirkland, Washington, offers a Montessori-based program that combines a French curriculum with bilingual instruction in French and English for children ages 3 through 11. The school is organized into three divisions: La Maternelle (ages 3–6), L'Élémentaire (ages 6–9), and La Grande Élémentaire (ages 9–11), with mixed-age classrooms and small class sizes designed to support individualized learning. English instruction amounts to six hours per week, with French immersion and bilingual projects integrated into math and other subjects. The campus emphasizes hands-on Montessori materials, technology-enabled projects, and a project-based approach to language development. Les Lilas is affiliated with Mission Laïque Française (MLF Monde) and is homologated by the French Ministry of Education with AEFE membership. The school operates from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with extended hours, and offers an enrichment program and a French-immersion Summer Camp. Address: 14216 132nd Avenue NE, Kirkland, WA 98034.
