L'Etoile French Immersion School

Students in these types of environments absorb a second language naturally. They don’t have to translate back and forth. By starting at a young age, children are able to pick up native pronunciation, intonation, and inflection. Research shows that they have great listening and study skills, get higher scores in reading and math, and have a better understanding of the world.

The French Ministry of Education curriculum is organized as a series of multi-year “cycles.” During these cycles, our students gain specific knowledge and skills. Learning occurs in a different way and at a different pace for every child. The Ministry divides the “maternelle” into 3 grades: Petite Section (preschool), Moyenne Section (Pre-K), and Grande Section (kindergarten). After that, students move on to Primary School. This includes 1st–5th grades (CP-CM2). At least 90% of our teachers are certified through the French Ministry of Education.

L’Etoile is committed to following the French system. This system is renowned worldwide for its complete and rigorous curriculum. It teaches students how to become active and responsible learners. The preschool, taught by credentialed teachers, is the foundation of the educational system. It prepares our students for success in elementary school and beyond.

Yes. We are fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education.

Our teachers are selected according to the standards set by the French Ministry of Education. All teachers hold teaching credentials from their native country. The criteria for teaching preschool and elementary age children is commensurate with a masters qualification in the USA.

For children between the ages of 2.5 and 3, the ratio is 5:1. For preschool children over the age of 3, the ratio is 10:1. They are in groups of up to 20 students with one teacher and one assistant. In the elementary grades the class size limit is 22 students.

We enroll children beginning at 2.5 years who are fully potty-trained.

Children entering preschool or kindergarten do not need any prior knowledge of French. Students entering 1st through 5th grade must show that they have sufficient French proficiency for the given grade.

No. Cycle 2 and Cycle 3 students need to be able to understand and converse in French to be enrolled in the elementary classes. An assessment will be done before they are accepted at the school.

Our program is designed to offset this by having the majority of the instructional time in French (75% versus 25% in English). Our students may also receive additional small group instruction if needed. Over 70% of our families do not speak French as their main language at home. We offer resources, including adult after-school French classes and parent access to our school library to supplement your child’s exposure to French.

Studies have shown that young children become linguistically capable within a year. It is our job to closely monitor academic as well as linguistic progress in order to address and resolve any impediments to the challenging curriculum. Our Head of School will be happy to supply you with studies pertinent to the advantages of a bilingual education.

Please refer to our tuition page for more details.

French nationals may apply to the French government for assistance. If you wish to apply for financial aid, please ask our Pedagogical Director for assistance in completing the French Consulate form at the time of enrollment. Other financial aid is not available.

We follow the same calendar as public schools in France. We have five teaching periods separated by breaks, occurring in October, December, February, and April (Spring Break). Some national holidays are observed (Labor Day, MLK Day, and Memorial Day). Optional, fee-based care is available during the breaks in October and February. The academic year is from September to mid-June. Please see our school calendar for more details.

Our hours are 8:30 am–3:00 pm. Half day pick up (for preschool and Pre-K classes only) is at 12:00 pm. There is free early drop off at 7:30 am for students ages 3 and older.

Yes. After care is available from 3:00–6:00 pm. Students must be enrolled at our school to attend our program. All ages are welcome. After care is $7.50/hour or a maximum of $300/mo.

Yes. We have several. These classes are fee-based. Enrollment at our school is not required to participate. Examples include art, soccer, gymnastics, robotics, circus arts, piano, ukulele, and more. Classes are offered in French and in English.

Yes. Our camps run for 9 weeks. They start at the end of June and end at the end of August. The maternelle summer program is open to students going into preschool, Pre-K, and kindergarten in the upcoming school year (3–6 years old). Our elementary summer program is open to students going into 1st–5th grade (6–12 years old).

Our program is flexible based on your family’s needs. We offer half day, full day, and extended care options. There is no enrollment deadline, but camps fill up quickly. Please see our
summer camp page for information about payment.

Families have the option of ordering hot lunches and after-school snacks Monday through Friday for an additional fee. All items are ordered online à la carte by our hot lunch provider, who prepares and delivers lunches to the school. Otherwise, we ask our families to send in a morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack (if staying in after care) for their child.

No. We believe it is better to be transparent about what families are expected to pay. All costs are covered in the base tuition and activity fee, excluding any overnight trips.

Yes. We have an indoor gym at all three of our campuses.

L’Etoile’s elementary school is located at the former Fulton Park Elementary School. This is one mile from our preschool at Hood Avenue. Most recently, this location served as the site of the Fulton Park Community Center. However, its use for Portland Parks programs ended in 2012. At that time, L’Etoile partnered with Portland Parks to bring Fulton back to its original function as a grade school. We also continued the tradition of offering the auditorium as a gathering place for neighborhood and civic groups during non-school hours.