Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley - Elementary School Campus vs Lycée Français de San Francisco - Sausalito
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley - Elementary School Campus and Lycée Français de San Francisco - Sausalito are both in San Francisco, about 19 km apart. Both schools offer American and French programmes, and Lycée Français de San Francisco - Sausalito also offers IB. Published annual fees are close, at $38,150 - 43,200 for Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley - Elementary School Campus and $28,000 - 58,900 for Lycée Français de San Francisco - Sausalito. Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley - Elementary School Campus takes pupils from 2 to 11, and Lycée Français de San Francisco - Sausalito from 2 to 18.
French Curriculum, IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
998
Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
18
Instruction language
Instruction language
French, English
Instruction language
French, English
Opened
Opened
1977
Opened
1967
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Two Berkeley campuses: Elementary School Campus at 1009 Heinz Ave., Berkeley, CA 94710 and Middle School Campus at 901 Grayson Street, Berkeley, CA 94710. The school serves preschool through 8th grade. Both campuses are located in Berkeley, California.
Location
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Stages
Stages
Preschool & Kindergarten; Lower School; Middle School. An Accelerated French Program (AFP) offers late-entry points in Lower School (G1 and G2) and in Middle School (G6).
Stages
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School type
School type
Private bilingual day school
School type
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Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
More than 60 nationalities represented in the school community.
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Lower School offers French as a Foreign Language (French as a Second Language) for students who need it; bilingual teachers support each student linguistically and academically.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
American International Section (Section Internationale Américaine) integrated into EB's primary program.
- Non-refundable application fee: USD 75 due when submitting the application form.
Enrollment deposit / reservation fee
- A non-refundable enrollment/reservation deposit equal to 10% of the annual tuition is required to finalize enrollment; this deposit is due within 10 days of acceptance. The 10% deposit is applied toward the annual tuition balance.
Tuition fees by school year (annual amounts for 2026–2027)
- Preschool & Kindergarten (annual): USD 38,150. - Grades 1–5 (annual): USD 39,015. - Grades 6–8 (annual; includes Middle School Accelerated French Program): USD 43,200.
Installment / per-payment detail (options available for the annual tuition above)
- Option 1 — One payment: - One payment due in June. - Early-payment discount: USD 100 off the annual tuition (school pays the Blackbaud annual fee for this option). - Example: Preschool/K: USD 38,150 − USD 100 = USD 38,050 (one-time June payment).
- Option 2 — Two equal payments: - Two equal payments due in June and September (payer may choose the 5th or the 20th of the month). - A Blackbaud Tuition Management annual administrative fee of USD 50 applies. - Example: Preschool/K: USD 38,150 ÷ 2 = USD 19,075 per payment (plus the USD 50 Blackbaud fee for the plan).
- Option 3 — Four equal payments: - Four equal payments due in June, July, August and September. - A Blackbaud Tuition Management annual administrative fee of USD 50 applies. - Example: Preschool/K: USD 38,150 ÷ 4 = USD 9,537.50 per payment (plus the USD 50 Blackbaud fee for the plan).
- Option 4 — Twelve equal monthly payments: - Twelve equal monthly payments between June and May of the following year. - A 5% per annum interest charge applies to this plan (reduced to 1.50% per annum for families receiving Tuition Assistance or Bourses Scolaires). - A Blackbaud Tuition Management annual administrative fee of USD 50 applies. - Example (base monthly before interest): Preschool/K: USD 38,150 ÷ 12 ≈ USD 3,179.17 per month (the actual monthly amount will be slightly higher when the 5% annual interest is applied).
Additional program and grade-specific fees
- Lower School Accelerated French Program (G1–G3): additional annual program fee of USD 2,860.
Required and optional fees and typical other costs
- One-time enrollment fee (Preschool and Lower School only): USD 1,950 (required at enrollment). - Tuition refund insurance: 1.4% of tuition (mandatory for a family's first year at the school, optional thereafter). - Extended Day Package (optional; unlimited morning and afternoon care during school days for the year): USD 2,250. - Extended Day drop-in rate (optional): USD 14.04 per hour. - School Breaks Package (optional; day camps during Fall, Winter and Spring breaks for the school year): USD 1,250. - Hot lunch (optional; price per meal): USD 6.75 to USD 7.25 (subject to change). - Optional overnight field trips (Grades 5, 7 and 8): approximately USD 2,650. - Required overnight field trips (Grades 3, 4 and 6): ranges from USD 695 to USD 1,370. - After-school activities: costs vary by activity.
- Note on uniform: no separate uniform fee is listed among the school's required or optional fees.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Enrollment: accepted families must return a signed enrollment agreement and pay the 10% non-refundable deposit within 10 days of acceptance to secure the student's place. - Balance payment: after the deposit, families choose one of the four payment options described above (one, two, four, or twelve payments); specific due months are June (one-payment option) or the months listed for the multi-payment options. Two-payment plan pay dates may be either the 5th or the 20th of the designated month. The four-payment schedule runs June–September; the twelve-payment schedule runs June–May. - Administrative fees and interest: Option 1 carries no Blackbaud fee (school covers it) and a USD 100 early-payment discount; Options 2–4 incur a USD 50 Blackbaud annual fee; the 12-month plan incurs a 5% per annum interest charge (1.50% for families receiving financial aid).
Boarding
- Boarding fees: Not applicable. Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley is a preschool through grade 8 bilingual day school and does not operate a boarding program.
Refund information
- The enrollment/reservation deposit (10% of annual tuition) is non-refundable. - Tuition refund insurance is offered (1.4% of tuition) and is mandatory for families in their first year at the school; this insurance is the mechanism the school lists for managing tuition refunds.
Fee payment options and accepted payment method
- The school's tuition and fee payment system is Blackbaud Tuition Management. Blackbaud Tuition Management accepts credit card payments; administrative fees for using Blackbaud vary depending on the payment plan selected.
Fee details
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Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
Mid-morning snack includes fruits, vegetables, or French baguette. Lunch is eaten together in the classroom, after which students may read inside or play outside.
Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
The school is governed by a Board of Trustees.
Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The school offers a bilingual English-French curriculum from Preschool through 8th grade, with language development at the core of instruction in both languages. A co-teaching model supports students at their language and academic levels, with French as a Second Language support and learning specialists, and Etude after-school homework help. In Lower School, the balance of instruction shifts from French immersion to bilingual: Grades 1–2 are 80–20, Grade 3 65–35, and Grades 4–5 50–50. Vers le Pacifique begins in Preschool and Kindergarten and continues through Grade 2; Grades 3–5 focus on conflict resolution and identity. Middle School maintains bilingual and biliterate instruction across language arts, science, history, and math, with students choosing a third language (Spanish or Mandarin) and continuing content in both languages. The science program aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards and the French program; math blends Singapore Math and Eureka Math in a bilingual setting, and field trips, arts, and service learning are integrated.
Curriculum details
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Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Average class size is 17 students. The school maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio.
Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
High School placement: 95% of students applying to private high schools get their top choice.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
Accelerated French Programs are available at Lower School and Middle School for motivated, high-achieving students, providing small class sizes and advanced bilingual learning.
Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
EB fosters social and emotional learning by inviting students, families, and staff to bring their whole selves to school and by celebrating the diversity of experiences and perspectives within the community. The school is a place of warmth, joy, kindness, and belonging that welcomes all people. It nurtures curiosity, compassion, courage, and an enduring sense of community in its students. The EB environment emphasizes inclusion and equity, with ongoing efforts to provide equitable opportunities for every member of the school community. The school aims to create a supportive culture where students feel respected and empowered to engage with others across differences.
Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
Accelerated French Program (AFP) provides late entry points at G1, G2 and G6 for students with no prior French exposure. AFP offers students the opportunity to acquire fluent proficiency in a second language and to be well positioned for high school placement after 8th grade.
English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
Two Berkeley campuses make up Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley: the Lower School Campus at 1009 Heinz Ave and the Middle School Campus at 901 Grayson Street. The school teaches in English and French as part of its bilingual immersion program. The Lower School Campus features a bilingual library with hundreds of books, a maker space and art room, a music room, an educational vegetable garden, a gymnastic space for preschool and kindergarten, and an expansive outdoor learning environment with a water creek and amphitheater. The Middle School Campus features a bilingual library, a science and art lab, a basketball court, an educational vegetable garden, an outdoor student lounge, and an outdoor stage with sound and lights. The South-West Berkeley neighborhood surrounds the campuses, offering local eateries, gyms, and spaces used for athletic practice nearby.
Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
The Middle School Campus has a basketball court, and the Lower School Campus has a gymnastic space for preschool and kindergarten. At the Lower School, after-school sports opportunities are integrated into classes that include activities such as dance, martial arts, or yoga. In the Middle School, students can participate in co-ed fall flag football, winter basketball, and spring volleyball as part of the East Bay Independent Athletic League, where EB bilingual teams have accumulated numerous championships. The Jaguars have earned 70 league championship titles since 1992.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
Lower School features include a bilingual library with hundreds of books, magazines, and pedagogical resources, a maker space and art room, a music room, an educational vegetable garden, a gymnastic space for preschool and kindergarten, and an expansive outdoor learning environment with a water creek and amphitheater. Middle School features include a bilingual library, a science and art lab, a basketball court, an educational vegetable garden, an outdoor student lounge, and an outdoor stage with sound & lights. These facilities support the school's integrated bilingual curriculum across both campus levels.
Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
Enrichment & Aftercare offers clubs and after-school enrichment classes for preschool through middle school, including sports, science, visual arts, music, cooking, and language classes, with some activities conducted in French. The Extended Day program provides before- and after-school care with flexible options and schedules. Étude (French for Study Hall) is offered to Elementary students three days a week for quiet homework time with teacher support. Camps include Le Camp d'Été, a summer camp for Preschool to rising Grade 6, plus Fall/Winter/Spring Camps with themed activities and field trips. School Foodies hot lunch service is available on both campuses.
Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
EB was founded by pioneering parents to provide bilingual education in the East Bay. It opened in fall 1977 with six teachers, 50 students, and 10 nationalities. The original Heinz & Ninth building became EB's campus when the school opened in 1977. The Middle School opened in 1988 and moved to 901 Grayson Street in 1991. Today EB serves more than 400 students from Toute Petite Section (2.5 years old) through grade 8, with more than 60 nationalities represented; alumni have lived and worked in 55 countries.
History
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Community
Community
EB's community is at the heart of the school experience; all parents are warmly invited to join in as active members of this diverse, fun, and inclusive group. World Celebrations showcases the many diverse cultures represented at EB and celebrates them through food, dance, and music. Welcome Day invites all parents and students to meet teachers and classmates; Halloween Parade, La Boum, Family & Friends Day, Move-a-thon, Spring Soirée & Fundraiser, La Place du Marché, and EB First Friday & Third Thursday Coffees are among the events that foster community.
Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
La Boum is hosted by the Parents' Association as a fall gathering for parents and caregivers. The Association coordinates Family & Friends Day, Move-a-thon, Spring Soirée & Fundraiser, La Place du Marché, and First Friday / Third Thursday coffees to connect families with the school community. To volunteer, contact the Parents' Association at askpa@eb.org or sign up on the Parent Portal. For general involvement questions, contact Anaïs Wilson at awilson@eb.org.
Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
The school is a preschool-8th grade bilingual immersion program with instruction in French and English. In Preschool & Kindergarten, Maternelle is project-centered and play-based, with French immersion about 80% of the day; five hours of English per week support language development as teachers from French and English collaborate. In elementary school, language development shifts from French immersion toward bilingual instruction, with grade-by-grade balances such as 1st–2nd at 80–20 (French–English) and 4th–5th at 50–50, fostering oral language, reading, and writing in both languages. The Accelerated French Program (AFP) provides late-entry points at Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 6 for students with no prior French exposure to develop fluency and support High School placement after 8th grade.
Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
The visual arts, music, and theater are core components of the elementary curriculum; arts are integrated into classroom instruction in Grade 1, with specialists for music starting in Grade 2 and visual arts in Grade 3. Students explore art as a means of self-expression and connect artistic learning to other subjects within the school's STEAM focus.
Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
The school offers a Section Internationale Américaine, a bilateral-bicultural program that integrates language and culture from partner countries, with primary-level International Sections in the U.S. since September 2020. The program supports bilingual and bicultural learning for students from elementary through higher levels and includes partnerships with local cultural institutions (e.g., Theater de Berkeley) and connections to French and international educational networks to facilitate exchanges and intercultural projects.
Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
In elementary and beyond, after-school enrichment includes activities such as yoga and soccer, and the Etude program provides group homework support after school led by bilingual teachers. The school encourages experiential learning through field trips and collaborative projects that extend classroom learning into real-world contexts.
Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
Experiential trips and service learning are integral to citizenship education. Formal community service begins in fourth grade, with opportunities to engage in activities that connect students to the wider community and cultivate social responsibility.
Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Physical Education is emphasized as essential, with dedicated P.E. instruction from Grade 2 onward and a range of sports and movement activities, including dance. The school also runs after-school athletic and enrichment options and implements a Restorative Justice framework for social-emotional learning, including Vers le Pacifique, a bilingual SEL program that begins in Preschool and continues through Grade 2.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
French and English are the languages of instruction. English Language Arts follows California Common Core Standards, while the French curriculum aligns with the official French Ministry of Education framework in AFP and related tracks. A third language (Spanish or Mandarin) is introduced in Middle School AFP. By the second year, AFP students can be prepared to take the DELF A1 exam, demonstrating French proficiency.
Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
The school is a preschool-8th grade bilingual immersion school where students learn in French and English. Students speak, write, and think in two languages every day. Accelerated French Program (AFP) provides late entry points at G1, G2, and G6 for students with no prior French exposure to join the bilingual immersion track.
Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
Lower School AFP provides a two-year bridge for Grade 1 and Grade 2 students with no prior French exposure; instruction is 85% in French and 15% in English, with two classrooms (bilingual and AFP) and a dedicated AFP teacher. Entry points are Grade 1 (CP) and Grade 2 (CE1), and students join the full immersion program by Grade 3 or Grade 4. In the second year, many AFP students are prepared to take the DELF A1 exam. Middle School AFP offers 40% daily instruction in French and 60% in English, with six accelerated French classes per week, and may integrate into the bilingual immersion program; the school is affiliated with AEFE and MLF, connecting students to a global network.
