Why join for free?
Already have an account? Log In
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.
The main campus is at 1929 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640. Transit options include the Damen Brown Line El stop, CTA bus routes 50 Damen, 22 Clark, and 81 Lawrence near Wilson, and the Ravenswood UP-N Metra line within walking distance. Ravenswood Garage (entrance off Damen Ave) provides parking. The school offers bilingual instruction in French and English.
Pre-elementary | Pre-K to K; Elementary | Grades 1 to 5; Middle School | Grades 6 to 8; High School | Grades 9 to 12.
International school.
AEFE-affiliated; listed on the AEFE roster of French Schools in Foreign Countries; part of the French Ministry of Education network worldwide.
Morning Bus Program with three routes (North, West, South). North Route serves Wilmette, Evanston, Rogers Park and West Ridge; West Route serves West Town, Wicker Park, Bucktown and Logan Square; South Route serves Hyde Park, Streeterville, Lincoln Park and Lakeview. For details and registration, email operations@lyceechicago.org.
Overview of Tuition (2026–2027 academic year)
- Pre-K – K: USD 28,925 per year.
- Grades 1–8: USD 29,200 per year.
- Grades 9–12: USD 29,500 per year.
Tuition — payment schedules and per‑installment amounts
There are three payment schedule options and associated processing fees. The amounts below show the gross tuition per payment before any deposits or discounts are applied:
- One payment (full tuition): due in July. (FACTS one-time processing fee USD 25 at enrollment agreement finalization.)
- Pre-K – K: USD 28,925 due in July.
- Grades 1–8: USD 29,200 due in July.
- Grades 9–12: USD 29,500 due in July.
- Two equal installments (pre-authorized ACH or credit card): one-half of the balance deducted in June and the remaining half deducted in December. (FACTS one-time processing fee USD 25 at enrollment agreement finalization.)
- Pre-K – K: USD 14,462.50 per installment (USD 28,925 ÷ 2).
- Grades 1–8: USD 14,600.00 per installment (USD 29,200 ÷ 2).
- Grades 9–12: USD 14,750.00 per installment (USD 29,500 ÷ 2).
- Twelve monthly installments: first installment due in June, successive monthly withdrawals through May. (FACTS one-time processing fee USD 55 at enrollment agreement finalization.)
- Pre-K – K: USD 2,410.42 per month (USD 28,925 ÷ 12).
- Grades 1–8: USD 2,433.33 per month (USD 29,200 ÷ 12).
- Grades 9–12: USD 2,458.33 per month (USD 29,500 ÷ 12).
Enrollment deposit and contract terms
- A non‑refundable tuition deposit of USD 2,000 per student is due after submission of the enrollment contract; this deposit is deducted from the final tuition balance. Failure to make payments when due may result in late fees and other enforcement actions. For delinquent accounts (45 days non‑payment per term), the school will place the account and records on financial hold and may withhold transcripts, diplomas and report cards until the account is current. Tuition and fees are contractually non‑refundable, including in the event of early withdrawal.
Application and administrative fees
- New Family Fee (Pre‑K level): USD 2,250 per family.
- New Family Fee (Jr‑K to Grade 12): USD 3,000 per family.
- Financial Aid Application Fee (FACTS): USD 45 per application (non‑refundable).
- Non‑refundable Tuition Deposit: USD 2,000 (due at time of enrollment).
- Supplies Fee: USD 350–USD 460 (variable by grade).
- NSF (returned payment) Fee: USD 25.
- Late Payment Fee: USD 25.
- FACTS Credit Card Transaction Fee: 3.05% per charge (applies to credit‑card payments).
Estimated exam and assessment fees (by grade)
- 3rd Grade DELF (optional): USD 70.
- 5th Grade DELF (optional): USD 70.
- 9th Grade DELF (optional): USD 70.
- 9th Grade DNB: USD 169.
- 11th Grade EA: USD 263.
- 12th Grade Bac: USD 323.
- 12th Grade BFI: USD 575.
- 12th Grade IB: USD 738.
Other costs billed separately
- Bus service, lunch service, before‑ and after‑school programs, athletics, and school trips & exchanges are billed in addition to tuition; fees vary by service and participation. Supplies, certain extracurriculars, and some field trips may also incur separate charges.
Boarding
- Boarding is not applicable; no boarding program or boarding fees are listed for this school.
Refund policy
- Tuition and fees are non‑refundable. The non‑refundable tuition deposit (USD 2,000) is applied to the final tuition balance but is not refundable.
Fee payment options and processing
- Payments are managed through FACTS. Payment options include automated bank withdrawal (ACH) and credit‑card payment via FACTS. FACTS charges a one‑time processing fee at enrollment agreement finalization (USD 25 for one‑time payment or two‑installment plans; USD 55 for the 12‑month plan). Credit‑card charges are additionally subject to a FACTS credit card transaction fee (3.05% per charge). Returned payment (NSF) and late payment fees apply as noted above.
Contact for billing questions
- The Student Billing Administrator handles account questions; the school provides FACTS support for account access.
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.
