Only At L’Etoile Home / About Us / Only At L'Etoile Choosing L’Etoile French Immersion School We know that parents have a lot of choices for their child’s education. So, why do families choose L’Etoile and stay with us until their child graduates? It’s because so many wonderful things happen at our private school, #OnlyAtLEtoile. Let us tell you more! Morning Gathering Every morning, our students rise and shine and usher in the brand new day with a song. We shout out birthdays and show love for each other. We also have a moment of peace. We practice a new mindfulness technique weekly in order to set the tone for productive learning and self-care. As part of our Postcards From Around The Country program, we share the newest postcard we received each week! This builds a connection with others across the country, while also teaching our students about worldliness and citizenship. 4th Grade Trip Our 4th grade class travels to a French-speaking camp in the San Juan Islands near Seattle. This field trip offers an unforgettable opportunity for our students to practice their French language skills in an immersive environment while exploring the beauty of Canoe Island. This island is completely walkable in just 30 minutes, and we have it all to ourselves. Some past activities include science experiments with the ocean and beach, examining trees, and creating art. In addition, our students are fully responsible for all our meals, from setting the tables to cleaning up at the end of the meal. The trip teaches our students about responsibility, while furthering their knowledge of the French language. Spring Festival The Spring Festival is a pivotal event at our school. It is full of fun activities that bring our community together. This event is for current students, families, alumni, and the community as a whole! We have a crêpes cart, face painting, arts and crafts, and music. We also share some of our favorite classroom activities. Our story corner is full of books to share our love of reading and our 5th grade students show off their entrepreneurial skills by hosting a cookie fundraiser. It is a great time for our school and community. Pen Pals L’Etoile students have the exciting opportunity to connect with pen pals from France. This program offers a way for our students to practice their French language skills, explore different cultures, and forge lasting friendships. They make meaningful connections on paper and eventually get to meet their pals on our 5th grade trip to France! Grow a Hanging Garden We are passionate about bringing the beauty and serenity of nature into our learning spaces. Our Hanging Garden project incorporates different kinds of plants. They serve as hands-on tools for science learning from preschool through kindergarten. Students study the life cycle of plants and further understand sustainability by using recycled materials to build the garden. Another key aspect of the garden is beauty. It is a learning tool and a work of art. This project is part of our partnership with other French Immersion Schools in North America. It allows us to share our garden and learn about others. 5th Grade in France The culminating event for our 5th grade students is our 10-day trip to France. Our students immerse themselves in French culture and participate in a true exchange of the language. While the itinerary changes yearly, the trip is always centered around appreciating French history and culture as students see the advantages of their French education. Some previous experiences have included spending time in the South of France, discovering ancient ruins, exploring a medieval town, and learning about the unique tapestry of French history. We have also seen the beauty of Paris through a cruise along the Seine, and its key monuments such as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. However, sometimes the biggest lessons are found in the simple act of ordering food, asking for directions, or meeting up with their pen pals for the first time – all en Francais! Frequently Asked Questions What does a full French immersion school day look like? Running from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, our school day begins with a soft transition from 8:00 to 8:30 AM as students arrive and settle in. At 8:30 AM, students enjoy circle time and dynamic hands-on learning centers. To keep young minds fresh and active, morning recess is from 10:00 to 10:30 AM and a full, one-hour midday break for lunch and outdoor play from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. The afternoon includes developing language skills and participating in collaborative projects before final dismissal at 3:00 PM. How does L’Etoile French Immersion School support students whose French is still developing? At L’Etoile, we warmly embrace and support students at every milestone of their language journey. Our native French-speaking educators are deeply experienced in guiding both fluent speakers and children who are newly acquiring the language. Within our nurturing, language-rich classrooms, comprehension flourishes organically through daily immersion, visual supports, repetition, and carefully differentiated instruction. We place a profound emphasis on social-emotional safety, creating a reassuring environment where students feel entirely comfortable taking linguistic risks and engaging in French. Over time, this immersive, supportive approach transforms emerging language skills into confident fluency, fostering a deep sense of intellectual curiosity and cultural belonging. What is L’Etoile French Immersion School’s relationship with the Portland community? L’Etoile is deeply rooted in the Portland area, actively enriching the local community while using the city as an extended classroom for our students. Throughout the year, our school engages in signature local traditions such as Multnomah Days, and each spring we host our public Spring Festival, a neighborhood celebration of cultural diversity, creativity, and community spirit. Our students regularly venture into the greater Portland area for educational partnerships and cultural excursions, where they are frequently commended by local organizers for their exceptional respect, intellectual curiosity, and confident demeanor. This dynamic civic engagement allows our families to build meaningful local connections while sharing the unique, globally minded perspective that defines the L’Etoile experience. What cultural experiences do L’Etoile French Immersion School students have beyond the classroom? At L’Etoile, students experience language and culture in meaningful ways that extend well beyond the classroom. Throughout the academic year, they are immersed in authentic cultural celebrations, regional music, global culinary arts, and theatrical performances that highlight the rich diversity of French-speaking nations. Our native-speaking faculty naturally infuse daily school life with the heritage, storytelling, and contemporary perspectives of their home countries, while our own multi-talented parent body is regularly invited to share their unique family traditions and cultural lineages. These rich, on-campus experiences are paired with purposeful excursions throughout the greater Portland area, ensuring our students develop the genuine cross-cultural communication skills, intellectual curiosity, and empathetic global perspective necessary to navigate an interconnected world.
