Since 2012, we have been providing children with an early French education, not only in terms of language but also culture. We welcome students in a nurturing environment that promotes academic excellence, artistic expression, and cultural awareness. Indeed, with a student body of approximately sixty, our families represent 37 nationalities ... what a diversely enriching setting for our children to develop socially!
Children do not need to speak French to enroll, as the immersion approach ensures they will develop fluency in the language regardless of what they speak at home. In fact, for many students, neither English nor French is the home language, further underscoring the international aspect of the school. Beginning in Pre-K4, instruction is provided in English as well as French to prepare students for reading in both languages. Still, all core subjects in the elementary grades (with the exception of English Language Arts) are taught in French. To promote complete bilingualism and to bridge any possible language gap, the French and English teachers work together to ensure all of the vocabulary covered in each subject (Math, Science, Social Studies, Art History) is seamlessly assimilated in English as well.
Further underscoring the importance we accord to language, an optional two-hour Spanish class is offered as part of the After-School Enrichment Program. Indeed, for our children's generation, a second language is no longer a "plus." It is a necessity.
To that end, we do not teach French; we teach in French. As one of only 25 Mission Laique schools in North America, we share the conviction that the ability to communicate fluently -- convincingly and respectfully -- with people around the world is perhaps the single most important tool with which we can gift our children for their futures. Indeed, the mindset propelling globalization is one that our multi-lingual children, with their diverse backgrounds, cultures, and interests, develop and adopt early on in an international setting such as our school. Given the increasingly global environment in which we live, our responsibility to our students is to equip them intellectually, emotionally, and physically in our world today so as to empower them to make a difference and have a positive impact in theirs tomorrow.
Children do not need to speak French to enroll, as the immersion approach ensures they will develop fluency in the language regardless of what they speak at home. In fact, for many students, neither English nor French is the home language, further underscoring the international aspect of the school. Beginning in Pre-K4, instruction is provided in English as well as French to prepare students for reading in both languages. Still, all core subjects in the elementary grades (with the exception of English Language Arts) are taught in French. To promote complete bilingualism and to bridge any possible language gap, the French and English teachers work together to ensure all of the vocabulary covered in each subject (Math, Science, Social Studies, Art History) is seamlessly assimilated in English as well.
Further underscoring the importance we accord to language, an optional two-hour Spanish class is offered as part of the After-School Enrichment Program. Indeed, for our children's generation, a second language is no longer a "plus." It is a necessity.
To that end, we do not teach French; we teach in French. As one of only 25 Mission Laique schools in North America, we share the conviction that the ability to communicate fluently -- convincingly and respectfully -- with people around the world is perhaps the single most important tool with which we can gift our children for their futures. Indeed, the mindset propelling globalization is one that our multi-lingual children, with their diverse backgrounds, cultures, and interests, develop and adopt early on in an international setting such as our school. Given the increasingly global environment in which we live, our responsibility to our students is to equip them intellectually, emotionally, and physically in our world today so as to empower them to make a difference and have a positive impact in theirs tomorrow.
