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United States, Chicago
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.
1. Your LFC journey starts with understanding entry points. The main entry points are pre-elementary (pre-K to K) and Grade 9 IB, and inquiries are welcome at all grade levels, subject to space availability. In primary school, non-French speakers may enroll from pre-K to Grade 5 through the Welcoming Language Program, depending on space availability. The high school IB program is taught in English and welcomes non-French-speaking students from Grades 9–12.
2. Submit the online application. Applications open October 1 of the preceding year, and there is a $155 application fee paid upon submitting the online application. If you are unable to pay the application fee, contact the Admissions Office. Rolling admissions apply for 2026-2027, and admissions decisions are issued on a rolling basis once the application is complete.
3. Provide supporting materials and complete assessments. Upload report cards from the past three school years where available, and ensure the current teacher submits a recommendation form via the application platform. Register for a group assessment or an individual assessment, and schedule a parent interview with the admissions team. For daycare families applying to Pre-K, there are benefits including a waived first application fee and prioritized admission, along with the Pre-K welcome pass that supports before-school and after-school arrangements.
4. Notes on dates, deadlines, and timelines. Online applications open on October 1 of the preceding year; for September 2026 entry, PK-8 applications are due December 31 and Grades 9-12 applications are due January 15. Re-enrollment opens January 15 for current families, with additional admissions assessments for PK-8 in January–February. New student acceptance notifications for Pre-K through 12th-grade applicants are issued on February 27, 2026, with enrollment decisions due March 9, 2026; the school also notes a French Bourse deadline in March. General admissions for 2026-2027 indicate rolling admissions and space-based inquiries.
5. Decisions and enrollment. Admissions decisions are communicated by email, and for certain grade bands these decisions are issued in mid-March or on a rolling basis depending on space and the timeline. The school reserves the right to request additional information or an in-person interview for candidates at any grade level. For questions or to initiate the process, use the inquiry channel or contact the Admissions Office directly.
6. Final note. The school welcomes inquiries at all grade levels and emphasizes space availability when considering applications and enrollments. Financial aid and other supports are described separately in the Tuition & Financial Aid section.
Financial aid is available, and twenty percent of LFC students receive financial aid; more than $2.3 million in financial support is awarded each year to eligible families. Financial aid uses FACTS to assess need; FACTS provides a needs analysis and a recommended contribution, while the school's Financial Aid Committee reviews the completed applications. Deadlines for new families include FACTS aid applications opening November 1, 2025 and closing December 31, 2025, with tax documents due February 9, 2026 and preliminary awards targeted by February 27, 2026, followed by final awards by April 28, 2026; current families have similar but slightly different timelines.
French Government Scholarships may be available for French citizens living in the Chicago area; applications are submitted to the Consulate General of France in Chicago. The Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF) is a partner that offers high school scholarship assistance to Chicago students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds; the DMSF application deadline is October for current 8th graders and is conducted through DMSF's website. Donations to the LFC Fund and La Soirée support financial aid.
In addition to need-based aid, the school provides external scholarship pathways (e.g., DMSF) and government scholarships where applicable; eligibility depends on family circumstances and program rules. Applicants should plan to submit the required documents and information on time to ensure consideration for aid alongside admissions.
Lycée Français de Chicago (LFC) is AEFE-affiliated international school serving ages 3–18 in Chicago. The curriculum is immersion-based with two diploma tracks: the French Baccalaureate (BFI American Section) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, from pre-K through grade 12. Instruction is primarily in French, with English support through BFI and IB components. The BFI is bilingual and bicultural, blending French bac rigor with American inquiry-based learning to support university entry. LFC is an IB World School offering IB Diploma Programme in grades 11–12 and IB Middle Years Programme in grades 9–10, with BD and ABD options. Graduates earn a US high school diploma alongside the French Baccalaureate or IB Diploma. Bittersweet campus opened in 1995 and Wilson Campus in 2015, on 3.8 acres with facilities, including 50 classrooms, science labs, art studios, libraries, an innovation lab, a student life center, a gym and athletic fields. LFC offers after-school programs, Center for the Arts, an Artist-in-Residence program, and diverse clubs.
