San Diego French-American School

San Diego French-American School has a school-wide Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program integrated into a bilingual, French-English immersion environment. The SEL program uses Responsive Classroom and focuses on open-mindedness, intellectual curiosity, integrity, empathy, and resilience. It supports students in developing empathy, resilience, and strong interpersonal skills. The program aligns with CAIS accreditation recommendations and aims to create a learning environment where students become confident, responsible, and engaged global citizens. A Panorama student climate survey will be used to measure safety, belonging, and SEL skills in 3rd–8th grade to guide improvements, and SEL routines are embedded across divisions.

SDFAS is committed to inclusion, equity and belonging for all members of its community and to ensuring everyone is heard and respected in their differences. Everyone has what they need to succeed, including individuals with special educational needs. The school emphasizes an inclusive environment where differences are acknowledged and supported. This commitment to inclusion encompasses all members of the community, including those with special educational needs.

The school threads French and American education together to create a bilingual symbiosis. Bilingual education starts as early as 18 months and broadens global perspectives through 8th grade. Kindergarten develops into a rich, challenging, full-day bilingual curriculum conducted in French and English. The Elementary School is bilingual, with English hours increasing gradually from 1st through 5th grade. Middle School prepares students to thrive in French lycées, American high schools, or international IB programs.

Mental wellbeing is supported through a school-wide SEL program and the Responsive Classroom approach, which fosters an inclusive, safe, and joyful school environment. The program emphasizes trust, belonging, and supportive relationships, with mindful communication and positive discipline embedded across classrooms. Responsive Classroom practices include routines that promote empathy and collaborative learning across divisions. The school uses Panorama to survey student perceptions of safety, belonging, and SEL skills, enabling data-driven improvements in the learning climate.

The Health Office provides a School Nurse and health services, with detailed policies for asthma, allergies, diabetes, lice, seizures, and medication administration. Asthma action plans, allergy action plans, and other health forms are required and managed by the health staff, and students may have prescribed medications stored or administered at school. The school enforces a non-stigmatizing approach to health issues such as lice and maintains a sick policy to protect students' health and learning. A nondiscriminatory policy ensures safety, inclusion, and equal treatment for all students regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or other protected characteristics. The health program and policies are designed to safeguard students while supporting their day-to-day educational needs.