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Strengths Languages, STEM, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction
Lycée Français de San Diego (LFSD) is a private bilingual immersion school in central San Diego, accredited by the French Ministry of Education and affiliated with the AEFE network. The school serves ages 2 through 15, offering pre-K to 8th grade on two campuses, including La Petite Ecole. LFSD follows a French curriculum with a fully immersive French program; preschool is 100% French, while Kindergarten includes 45 minutes of English language arts daily. Grades 1-3 are taught in French with 60 minutes of English daily, and Grades 4-8 add Spanish language arts alongside core subjects. The program prepares students to continue their education in U.S. schools, AEFE institutions worldwide (over 600) or other international programs such as the IB. LFSD is a nonprofit (501(c)(3)) with about 215 students from 29 nationalities. Extensive after-school enrichment emphasizes STEM, arts, and language, plus field trips, sports, and clubs. Campus tours are available year-round.
Lycée Français de San Diego has 240 pupils, typical class sizes of 6, instruction in French, English.
Location
The campus is at 8401 Aero Drive, San Diego, CA 92123, in the Serra Mesa / Kearny Mesa area near Mission Valley. It has quick access to the 805, 163 and 15 freeways.
Stages
Preschool through High School. The school offers a bilingual English–French program.
Type
Private bilingual immersion school fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education and affiliated with AEFE.
Country affiliation
France; affiliated with the AEFE network and accredited by the French Ministry of Education.
School day structure
Classes start at 9:00 am. Recess and lunch times are extended as part of the daily schedule.
Fees
Annual tuition at Lycée Français de San Diego ranges from up to USD 22,106 for 2026/27.
Tuition fees (listed as annual amounts; per-term equivalents shown as an equal one-third of the annual total)
- Preschool (2–3 years): - Two full days (Tue–Thu) — Annual: USD 10,485. Per term (1/3 annual): USD 3,495. - Three full days (Mon–Wed–Fri) — Annual: USD 13,471. Per term: USD 4,490. - Full time — Annual: USD 17,718. Per term: USD 5,906.
- Junior Kindergarten & Kindergarten (4–5 years): - Full time only — Annual: USD 18,853. Per term: USD 6,284.
- Elementary (Grades 1–5): - Full time only — Annual: USD 19,840. Per term: USD 6,613.
- Middle School (Grades 6–8): - Full time only — Annual: USD 21,256. Per term: USD 7,085.
- Sibling discount: 10% off the lowest tuition in the family (applies to tuition only).
Annual / Incidental fees (charged in addition to tuition)
- Preschool annual fee (includes classroom art supplies, some workbooks and textbooks, 1 school t-shirt, PreK & K snacks, some field trips, earthquake kit): USD 730. - Grades 1–5 annual fee (same inclusions as above): USD 790. - Grades 6–8 annual fee: USD 850.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- The registration fee for new students is charged once at enrollment and is non-refundable. - Extended Care and incidental program billing are processed through the FACTS online billing system. - FACTS supports multiple payment arrangements (examples used widely by schools): pay-in-full, semi-annual, and monthly plans; payments may be made by automatic bank withdrawal (ACH), credit or debit card, and by check where accepted by the school's FACTS setup. Credit-card transactions typically incur a convenience/service fee assessed through FACTS. Exact plan options, due dates, and any convenience fees are set through the school's FACTS/RenWeb enrollment and billing setup.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable. Le Lycée Français de San Diego operates as a day school (student ages 2–15) and does not publish boarding or residential fees.
Other costs and typical additional charges
- School attire / uniform: Students are required to wear specified school attire (polo/button shirts, navy/khaki bottoms, P.E. T‑shirt, etc.). School badges must be sewn onto uniforms; new badges may be purchased at school (price not listed publicly). Parents should anticipate one-off costs for badges and for any replacement uniform items beyond the single school t-shirt included in the annual fees. - Hot lunch program (optional): Hot lunches are available from Girard Gourmet; menu selection and frequency are optional and billed separately. Specific lunch pricing is provided through the lunch ordering vendor. - Extended Care / After-school care: Billed through FACTS; fees depend on enrollment in the Extended Care program and are added to the family account. - Enrichment, after-school activities, and seasonal camps: These programs have separate fees. Camp and activity enrollments include stated refund rules (for example, many published program listings state no refund if a participant discontinues at or after the program start date).
Refund information
- The registration fee for new students is non-refundable. - For extracurricular camps and short-term activities, published program listings state that there is no refund if you discontinue at or after the program start date (specific programs show this rule). - No general, school-wide tuition withdrawal/refund schedule (for example pro-rated tuition refunds after mid-year withdrawal) is published on the school's publicly available tuition and admissions pages. If an exact tuition-refund or withdrawal schedule is required, that policy is established in the school's enrollment/tuition agreement and the school's billing office or enrollment contract.
Fee payment options
- The school uses online platforms for enrollment and billing (RenWeb/ParentsWeb and FACTS are used for application/enrollment and for billing of incidental items and Extended Care). Families set up their payment plan and payment method through those platforms. - FACTS payment methods (as implemented for schools using FACTS) include automatic bank withdrawal (ACH), debit/credit card payments (convenience fee may apply), and check payments where permitted by the school's FACTS setup. Returned-payment fees and convenience fees are assessed through FACTS per its terms.
Notes on published discounts and financial assistance
- Sibling discount: 10% off the lowest tuition in the family (applies to tuition only). - Students with French citizenship are eligible to apply for French government scholarships; consular procedures apply.
Brief note on information coverage
- The tuition and fee figures above are the school's published annual tuition and annual fees for the 2026–27 tuition schedule; the school publishes the annual amounts and the annual incidental‑fee line items. The school's public pages do not publish a full, itemized tuition withdrawal/refund schedule or an exhaustive list of every incidental charge (uniform badge replacement, specific activity fees, lunch pricing) on the same page as the annual tuition schedule; those items and the precise billing due-dates and payment-plan choices are administered through the school's enrollment/billing platforms (RenWeb/FACTS) and in the family enrollment agreement.
Academics
Lycée Français de San Diego teaches French Curriculum for students aged 2 to 15.
Curriculum
LFSD offers pre-K to 8th grade education with a fully immersive French program. Preschool is a full French immersion program (100% French) building linguistic and cognitive development. In Kindergarten, there is an additional 45 minutes of English language arts each day. Grades 1 to 3 are taught in French with an additional 60 minutes of English language arts per day. Grades 4 to 8 cover French language arts, English language arts, and Spanish language arts alongside Mathematics, Science & Technology, History & Geography, Civics, Fine Arts, and Physical Education. By the end of the program, LFSD students are prepared to pursue education in U.S. schools, French AEFE institutions (over 600 schools worldwide), or other international programs such as the International Baccalaureate (IB). LFSD is accredited by the French Ministry of Education and is part of the AEFE network.
Higher Education Progression
LFSD graduates may continue their education in U.S. schools, French AEFE network schools, or International Baccalaureate programs.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
LFSD fosters a safe, family-oriented learning environment. Values such as respect, politeness and good manners are emphasized. The school's mission is to instill and foster a love of learning and to respond to students' needs in a welcoming place to learn. Everything LFSD does supports the well-being of the children. Music, fine arts and PE are integrated into the curriculum.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school is a fully immersive bilingual program in French and English. It serves Pre-K through 8th grade in central San Diego. Teachers are native French speakers and are overseen by evaluators from the French Ministry of Education.
Mental Wellbeing
LFSD is committed to student well-being and to fostering a safe, family-oriented learning environment. Everything LFSD does supports the well-being of the children. Music, fine arts and PE are integrated into the curriculum to support holistic development. Classes start at 9am to help students arrive rested and ready to learn.
Safeguarding
LFSD fosters a safe, family-oriented learning environment. LFSD is a non profit organization (503(c)(3)) and an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in its educational programs, activities, admission, or employment policies.
Admissions
Admissions
1. LFSD accepts children from ages 2 to 15. The school uses a dedicated online application platform; begin the process by clicking the Application for Admission (NEW LINK). The LFSD admissions page confirms the dedicated application platform and contact options.
2. Schedule a Tour is available under Enroll to arrange a campus visit. The tour provides an opportunity to learn about LFSD's bilingual program and campus facilities. This option helps families connect with staff and learn about admissions timelines.
FAQs
What curriculum does Lycée Français de San Diego follow?
LFSD offers pre-K to 8th grade education with a fully immersive French program. Preschool is a full French immersion program (100% French) building linguistic and cognitive development. In Kindergarten, there is an additional 45 minutes of English language arts each day. Grades 1 to 3 are taught in.
What are the tuition fees at Lycée Français de San Diego?
Annual tuition fees range from USD 1,000 to USD 22,106 depending on the year group. **Application / Registration fee** - New-student registration fee: USD 1,000 (one-time, non-refundable). **Tuition fees (listed as annual amounts; pe
What age range does Lycée Français de San Diego serve?
The school serves students aged 2 to 15. Preschool through High School. The school offers a bilingual English–French program.
Where is Lycée Français de San Diego located?
The campus is at 8401 Aero Drive, San Diego, CA 92123, in the Serra Mesa / Kearny Mesa area near Mission Valley. It has quick access to the 805, 163 and 15 freeways.
What wellbeing support does Lycée Français de San Diego offer?
LFSD fosters a safe, family-oriented learning environment. Values such as respect, politeness and good manners are emphasized. The school's mission is to instill and foster a love of learning and to respond to students' needs in a welcoming place to learn. Everything LFSD does supports the well-bein
What sports facilities does Lycée Français de San Diego have?
Preschool, Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten students have 45 minutes of gross motor activities every day. They also have access to tricycles, scooters, jump ropes and balls during recess. A variety of activities and team sports are introduced in first grade and continued through sixth grade, wit
How do I apply to Lycée Français de San Diego?
1. LFSD accepts children from ages 2 to 15. The school uses a dedicated online application platform; begin the process by clicking the Application for Admission (NEW LINK). For information about the admission process and availability, call 858-277-1514 or email administration@lfsd.org. The LFSD admi
What type of school is Lycée Français de San Diego?
Lycée Français de San Diego is a Co-educational school with 240 students. Private bilingual immersion school fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education and affiliated with AEFE.
What languages are taught at Lycée Français de San Diego?
French and English are the languages of instruction at LFSD, reflecting its French/English bilingual identity; the school offers pre-K through 8th grade.
What is the history of Lycée Français de San Diego?
The school began in 2003 as a small daycare center operating out of a home in San Diego. In 2006, Le Lycée Français de San Diego opened at its Clairemont location with five teachers, one administrator, and a handful of students. The school is a fully immersive French/English bilingual institution th
What accreditations does Lycée Français de San Diego hold?
The school is fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education and follows the French curriculum; it is visited by the French Ministry almost every year to verify compliance. It is a member of AEFE (Agence pour l'enseignement français à l'étranger).
What extracurricular activities are available?
Art education is an integral part of LFSD's bilingual program and starts as early as age two. Older students receive music classes in singing and instrumentation, and events showcase dance, percussion, and rhythm. Drama and theater are featured in the after‑school program, with activities conducted
What are the school hours at Lycée Français de San Diego?
Classes start at 9:00 am. Recess and lunch times are extended as part of the daily schedule.
