Preschool Profile: Lycée Français de San Francisco

Established in 1967, Lycée Français de San Francisco (LFSF) offers a unique opportunity for young children to learn and grow in a truly international environment. LFSF operates on three campuses: primary and secondary schools in San Francisco, and a new, fully renovated preschool and primary school campus in Sausalito. From a very young age, students learn to express themselves as curious and motivated learners, exchanging cultural and linguistic perspectives within a rich and diverse student body representing 65 nationalities and 35 languages overall. You can learn more about the school and its programs at lelycee.org.

Please describe your school’s philosophy. What is it all about?

Rooted in the French national curriculum, with close ties to the French government and the AEFE worldwide network of French schools, LFSF teaches children by immersing its students in language and culture from day one. Non-francophones are able to integrate our classrooms though the kindergarten level.

LFSF strives to promote initiative, autonomy, cooperation and individual responsibility, all the while preparing its preschool-K students for the structure of elementary school. Our young learners flourish in a program that fosters self-awareness and develops respect for others. Whether they continue through kindergarten, fifth grade or twelfth, our students find themselves fully prepared and ready for tomorrow’s world.

What programs does your school offer?

LFSF offers one full-time program for all students, from 8:30 am to 3:15 pm. We are also proud to offer before-school care from 7:45AM and after-school care until 6PM.

At the preschool level, children go to recess twice during the day, and also have quiet story time and a nap. Activities place a strong emphasis on music and learning through art and movement. Each preschool class has one main French teacher, one French aide, one English teacher, and one Music teacher. All teachers are bilingual, but teach in their first language. Our teacher to student ratio on the Sausalito campus is currently 1:9.

What does a typical day look like?

Children are dropped off at school between 8:15 and 8:30 am. Daily schedules change, but every morning begins with circle time, where the main teacher and teacher’s aide work on language, discovering the world, feelings and imagination… Then from 9:15 to 9:45 the class might go to the school’s library, or do an activity developing gross motor skills. Snack is at 10am, followed by a half hour of recess. English is often from 10:45 to 11:45, followed by lunch, a nap, and a short afternoon recess. At 2 pm, the class regroups for circle time, learning language skills and developing their sensory abilities around a tactile project. At 2:45 pm comes a final snack and storytelling time, getting children ready to go home or to after-school care between 3:15 and 3:30 pm.

Find out more about Lycée Français de San Francisco at lelycee.org. You can also learn more about their community involvement and their new playground in Sausalito here.