French American School of Puget Sound - Mercer Island vs North Seattle French School

	F French American School of Puget Sound - Mercer Island Seattle, United States	N North Seattle French School Seattle, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $0 - 43,850	Fees / year $23,020
Age range	Age range 3 - 15 years	Age range 3 - 10 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum	Curriculum French Curriculum, American Curriculum, Singapore Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 445	Pupils 104
Typical class size	Typical class size 6	Typical class size 6
Instruction language	Instruction language French, English	Instruction language French, English
Opened	Opened 1995	Opened 2013
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location FASPS operates two current campuses in the Puget Sound region: Mercer Island campus (Preschool through Grade 8) at 3795 East Mercer Way, Mercer Island, WA 98040, just off I-90 next to the Stroum Jewish Community Center; Seattle – Capitol Hill campus (Preschool) at 1823 East Madison Street, Seattle, WA 98122. A North Beacon Hill campus for Upper Elementary and Middle School is planned at 2203 23rd Avenue S, Seattle, WA 98144, coming soon.	Location 18560 1st Ave NE, Wing F, Shoreline, WA 98155, United States. The campus is in the Shoreline neighborhood within the Seattle metropolitan area. A private bus connects the Shoreline campus to Seattle, with routes to Green Lake and Phinney Ridge; pickup around 8:00 a.m. and drop-off around 5:35 p.m.; seats are first-come, first-served and bus enrollment is separate from after-school care.
Stages	Stages 18 months through Grade 8. Mercer Island campus serves Preschool through Middle School; Seattle – Capitol Hill campus serves Preschool; a future North Beacon Hill campus will serve Upper Elementary and Middle School.	Stages La Maternelle: Preschool, PreK and Kindergarten; L'Élémentaire: Grades 1–5.
School type	School type —	School type Private bilingual school with French immersion for preschool through 5th grade.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Over 60 nationalities represented. 38% of students have one Francophone parent.	Pupil nationality mix International pupil mix with families from many countries and languages.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support HiCap Program supports highly capable students with flexible learning pathways, enrichment, cross-grade placement, and curriculum acceleration. Formal identification requires an external educational psychologist evaluation, typically including cognitive testing (e.g., WISC-V) and a full-scale IQ above 130.	Additional learning support A Learning Specialist provides differentiated instruction and supports individual learning needs.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) affiliation and Mission Laïque Française (MLF Monde). Member of AFSA (Association of French Schools in North America), and connected with NAIS and NWAIS networks.	Country affiliation Affiliated with Mission Laïque Française (MLF) network.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation Secular.
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure Maternelle runs 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (half-day) or 8:30 a.m.–3:15 p.m. (full-day); Kindergarten runs 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Elementary runs 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; After-school GLOBE runs 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Bus service details	Bus service details The bus program serves Seattle and the Eastside. Buses run once in the morning, arriving by 8:10 AM, and twice in the afternoon, leaving at 3:50 PM and 5:00 PM. Registration is first-come, first-served for Kindergarten through 8th grade.	Bus service details Private 9-seat bus runs between Shoreline campus and Green Lake and Phinney Ridge in Seattle; pickup around 8:00 a.m. and drop-off around 5:35 p.m.; seats allocated on a first-come, first-served basis; bus enrollment is separate from GLOBE.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - Application fee (per student): USD 110. - Tuition-assistance application processing fee (Clarity): USD 65. Tuition fees by year group (2026–2027 academic year) All amounts shown are annual tuition in USD. Per-term figures below are the annual amount divided into three equal installments (simple 3-term division for reference). Deposit calculations shown are 8% of the annual tuition. - Preschool (Bébé & TYPK only) — 2-day week - Annual tuition: USD 16,500. - Per-term (equal 3-term division): USD 5,500.00. - Enrollment deposit (8%): USD 1,320.00. - Preschool (Bébé & TYPK only) — 3-day week - Annual tuition: USD 23,500. - Per-term (equal 3-term division): USD 7,833.33. - Enrollment deposit (8%): USD 1,880.00. - Preschool / Elementary School (TYPK through Grade 5) - Annual tuition: USD 38,650. - Per-term (equal 3-term division): USD 12,883.33. - Enrollment deposit (8%): USD 3,092.00. - Middle School (Grades 6–8) - Annual tuition: USD 43,850. - Per-term (equal 3-term division): USD 14,616.67. - Enrollment deposit (8%): USD 3,508.00. - Sibling discounts - Third enrolled sibling: USD 3,500 discount. - Fourth sibling and up: USD 5,000 discount. Deposit and refund information - Enrollment deposit: 8% of total tuition. The deposit is non-refundable and is required to secure an enrollment seat. - Other refund terms (for tuition, auxiliary programs, camps, or ancillary fees) are governed by the school's enrollment and program agreements; the 8% enrollment deposit is explicitly non-refundable. Billing schedule and payment terms - Enrollment requires a signed enrollment contract and payment of the enrollment deposit (8% of tuition) by the school's published deadlines for the admission cycle; the school publishes specific deadlines for tuition-assistance and enrollment steps for each admissions cycle. For the 2026–2027 cycle, tuition-assistance application deadlines were published as January 9, 2026 (returning families) and February 27, 2026 (new families). - The school issues tuition and program charges according to the enrollment and billing procedures set in the enrollment contract and billing communications. The enrollment deposit is applied toward the total tuition balance. Other costs and optional program fees - Garderie (before- and after-school care), enrichment classes, middle-school extended-day activities, break camps, and summer camps are offered as auxiliary programs; these programs are available yearlong, session-based, or drop-in and typically carry additional fees separate from base tuition. Pre-registration is required for many auxiliary programs. - Hot lunch service is available to all grades through a partner ordering platform (Ordo); lunch orders and payments are handled through that system and are charged in addition to tuition. - Transportation, clubs, certain enrichment offerings, and some middle-school activities may incur additional charges; these are billed separately according to program sign-up and participation rules. - Uniforms are not listed as a standard, universal charge; any required or optional school-branded items or supplies would be charged separately when applicable. Boarding - The school operates preschool through Grade 8 and does not provide a boarding program; boarding fees are not applicable. Tuition assistance and scholarships - FASPS awards need-based tuition assistance and reports awarding over USD 2 million annually to support roughly 20% of families. Need-based tuition-assistance applications for the 2026–2027 cycle are processed through the Clarity platform; the Clarity application requires a USD 65 fee. French citizens may also be eligible for French government Bourse Scolaire (AEFE) support administered via the French Consulate channels. Fee payment options and processing (application, program, and auxiliary fees) - Application and tuition-assistance application fees are processed online through the school's application and financial-aid platforms (Ravenna for admissions applications and Clarity for financial-aid applications). Hot-lunch orders and payments are processed through Ordo. Specific payment methods accepted for tuition bills and auxiliary program invoices (for example, credit card, ACH/bank transfer, or check) are set out in the school's enrollment and billing communications for each admissions cycle and in program registration materials. Summary (quick reference) - Application fee: USD 110 per student. Tuition-assist application fee: USD 65 (Clarity). - Annual tuition (2026–2027): Preschool 2-day USD 16,500; Preschool 3-day USD 23,500; Preschool/Elementary USD 38,650; Middle School USD 43,850. Deposit = 8% of tuition (non-refundable). Sibling discounts: USD 3,500 (3rd), USD 5,000 (4th+).	Fee details Application fees - Application fee: USD 90 per child. This application fee is non‑refundable and may be paid online via Stripe (card) or by check. Tuition fees by program (2026–2027 school year) - Half‑day Preschool (Petite section & Moyenne section): USD 14,480 per year. Program hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. A 10% deposit of the annual tuition is due at enrollment (USD 1,448). Remaining balance after deposit: USD 13,032. Payment plan examples below show how that remaining balance is billed under each plan option. Included in tuition: all field trips (except the overnight 5th grade trip), books, and classroom supplies. - Full‑day Preschool (Petite section & Moyenne section): USD 23,020 per year. Program hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. A 10% deposit of the annual tuition is due at enrollment (USD 2,302). Remaining balance after deposit: USD 20,718. Included in tuition: all field trips (except the overnight 5th grade trip), books, and classroom supplies. - Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th grade): USD 23,020 per year. School hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. A 10% deposit of the annual tuition is due at enrollment (USD 2,302). Remaining balance after deposit: USD 20,718. Included in tuition: all field trips (except the overnight 5th grade trip), books, and classroom supplies. Per‑installment figures by payment plan (examples based on the required 10% deposit and the published annual tuition amounts) - Deposit due at enrollment (10% of tuition): - Half‑day Preschool: USD 1,448. - Full‑day Preschool: USD 2,302. - Elementary (K–5): USD 2,302. - Plan A — One‑time payment of the remaining balance (applies after deposit): a single remaining payment is made and a USD 100 discount is applied to that remaining balance. Example amounts after the 10% deposit and before the USD 100 discount: Half‑day remaining balance USD 13,032; Full‑day/Elementary remaining balance USD 20,718. The USD 100 discount is applied for the one‑time payment option. - Plan B — Three installments: remaining balance split into three payments billed in August, November, and February. Example installment amounts (remaining balance ÷ 3): - Half‑day Preschool: USD 4,344 per installment. - Full‑day Preschool: USD 6,906 per installment. - Elementary (K–5): USD 6,906 per installment. - Plan C — Nine monthly installments: remaining balance billed in nine equal monthly payments from August through April. Example monthly amounts (remaining balance ÷ 9): - Half‑day Preschool: USD 1,448 per month. - Full‑day Preschool: USD 2,302 per month. - Elementary (K–5): USD 2,302 per month. Fees & discounts - Application fee: USD 90 per child (non‑refundable). - New Family Fee: USD 500 one‑time payment for families new to the school; this fee and the deposit are due at the time of enrollment. - Sibling discount: younger siblings receive a 10% tuition discount. - Included in tuition: all field trips except the overnight 5th grade trip, books, and classroom supplies. Billing schedule and payment terms - The non‑refundable deposit equal to 10% of the annual tuition and the New Family Fee are due at the time of enrollment to secure a student's place. Remaining tuition is payable according to the family's selected plan (Plan A, B, or C). Plan B payments are scheduled for August, November, and February; Plan C payments run monthly from August through April. A USD 100 discount is offered for families choosing the one‑time payment option. Families should expect annual tuition announcements in January and routine tuition increases from year to year. Boarding fees - North Seattle French School is a day preschool and elementary (K–5) program and does not operate a boarding program; boarding fees are not applicable. School hours and program types are published for preschool and elementary day programs. Other costs and optional programs - New Family Fee: USD 500 (one‑time). - After‑school GLOBE program (optional) and a private school bus service operating between the Shoreline campus and areas in Seattle are offered; these programs are arranged and billed separately from base tuition. Specific fees for the after‑school program and bus service are charged in addition to tuition. Refund information - The application fee (USD 90 per child) is non‑refundable. The deposit equal to 10% of annual tuition is non‑refundable and is required to secure enrollment. Other refund terms for tuition or additional program fees are governed by the school's enrollment and billing policies. Fee payment options - Application fee payment methods explicitly listed: online via Stripe (card) or by check. Families pay the non‑refundable application fee when submitting the application and pay the non‑refundable deposit and New Family Fee at enrollment. Payment arrangements for the remainder of tuition follow the selected payment plan (one‑time, three installments, or nine monthly installments).
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements GLOBE after-school program (Childcare, Leisure and bilingual enrichment) runs 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The school operates a private 9-seat bus that travels between the Shoreline campus and Seattle routes to Green Lake and Phinney Ridge. Morning pickup is around 8:00 a.m. and drop-off is around 5:35 p.m. Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Bus registration is separate from GLOBE. For more information, admissions@northseattlefrenchschool.com.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Hot lunches are provided on campus through a partnership with Ordo; the menu changes weekly and accommodates most dietary restrictions.	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership FASPS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit governed by a self-selecting Board of Trustees. The Board works with the Head of School (the Board's only employee) to set policies, provide strategic direction, and uphold the school's mission, vision, and values. The school has two campuses: Mercer Island and Seattle – Capitol Hill.	Governance and ownership The school is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Executive Committee includes a Board Chair, a Vice Chair, a Finance Chair, and a Secretary.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The FASPS Approach blends the French national education framework with US practices to prepare students for success. Bilingual instruction is integrated across subjects, enabling students to think, learn, and innovate in both French and English. The curriculum follows France's cycles, aligning grade levels with the French system through a Cycle and Grade Conversion Chart. MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessments monitor growth in mathematics, reading, and language usage and provide RIT scores to track progress over time. The school serves students from 18 months through Grade 8 and is accredited by the French Ministry of Education and the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS).	Curriculum details The school's bilingual curriculum aligns Washington State Common Core standards with the internationally recognized French curriculum, mapping overlaps and differences to integrate both. It enables bi-literacy and allows transition into either a French school or the local school system for middle school. The program emphasizes speaking, reading, writing, thinking, creative projects, and social-emotional learning in two languages. In preschool and kindergarten, instruction is primarily in French; in 4th and 5th grades, English time increases to a 50/50 ratio between languages. English and French teachers co-teach daily and collaborate on lesson plans and student growth, with regular language-department meetings and curricular projects.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio 7:1 student-to-adult ratio.	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results MAP assessments show that FASPS students grow consistently and perform well above national and international averages across grade levels, with particular strength in mathematics and reading. MAP results provide growth data over time to inform instruction.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression FASPS alumni have attended a range of universities, including the University of Washington, Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Georgetown University, and the University of California Berkeley, among others.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented HiCap Program supports highly capable students who demonstrate advanced cognitive abilities, curiosity, and a strong need for academic challenge. Within a bilingual environment, students progress at a pace aligned with their strengths while remaining socially connected and emotionally supported. Formal identification requires external evaluation (e.g., WISC-V) and typically demonstrates a full-scale IQ above 130. The program offers enrichment, cross-grade placement, and curriculum acceleration, including three types of enrichment (Exploratory, Skill-Building, and Research & Innovation) and flexible pathways. Decisions about HiCap services are made collaboratively with families.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning NSFS integrates social-emotional development as a core element of its mission and values. The school aims to cultivate globally minded independent thinkers through bilingual education, with social-emotional development highlighted among its core values. The program emphasizes that character development is as valuable as academic learning and includes age-appropriate strategies for developing empathy, mindfulness, self-awareness, and communication at every grade level. The emphasis on social-emotional development is designed to help students become open-minded, tolerant, curious, and responsible community members. Through this integration, NSFS seeks to foster an engaged community of families and a supportive, inclusive classroom culture.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language NSFS offers immersion in French within a bilingual preschool through 5th grade. The program blends the established French curriculum with Washington State standards to enable bi-literacy and fluency in two languages. NSFS supports plurilingualism and home-language development, ensuring students stay engaged and proud of their home language while acquiring another. For preschool and kindergarten, no French is required; starting in 1st grade some knowledge of French is expected, and non-native speakers are assessed on a case-by-case basis. This bilingual approach is designed to prepare students for a globally connected world.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing Social-emotional development is a core value, with character development considered as important as academics. SEL is integrated throughout the NSFS program, with students learning empathy, mindfulness, self-awareness, and communication at every grade level. The school emphasizes relationships, belonging, and community involvement to support emotional well-being. The focus on DEI and family engagement further supports a positive emotional climate for students and families. This approach aims to cultivate students who are resilient, collaborative, and socially responsible.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The French American School of Puget Sound operates two campuses: Mercer Island (Preschool, Elementary, Middle School) and Seattle – Capitol Hill (Preschool Campus), with a North Beacon Hill campus planned for the future. The Mercer Island campus is a two-story building with 30 classrooms, a dedicated library, and versatile outdoor spaces. The Seattle – Capitol Hill campus houses a Preschool program in a building at 18th and E. Madison Street with three classrooms, a cozy library corner, an outdoor play space, and an indoor swing gym shared with the Rosen Family Preschool. The North Beacon Hill campus will feature a state-of-the-art facility to serve up to 240 students in grades 4–8, including modern classrooms, an indoor gym, a gathering space, dedicated art and STEM labs, a library, and an outdoor play area.	Facilities overview NSFS is located at 18560 1st Ave NE, Wing F, Shoreline, WA 98155, inside the Shoreline Center. The campus is safely located in the heart of a community center and offers shared facilities such as turf soccer fields, a playground, a Spartan Gym for indoor sports, and a stadium. The school is just steps away from the light rail, with parking at the corner of 1st Ave NE and NE 185th St. Enter the Shoreline Center via the South Entrance when visiting.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The Athletics Program emphasizes physical wellness and teamwork and competes in leagues such as the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and the Cascade Middle School League (CMSL). Fall sports include Coed Soccer (K–Grade 8), Cross Country (K–Grade 5), and Coed Volleyball (Grade 6–8); Winter sports include Boys Basketball (Grades 5–8), Girls Basketball (Grades 5–8), and Cheer Squad (Grades 5–8); Spring sports include Track & Field (Grades 5–8) and Soccer (Grades 1–5). The Athletics Department also organizes the Cross Scolaire “Fun Run” in the fall, Middle School Ski Trips in the winter, and the Annual Soccer Picnic in the spring. The Seattle Capitol Hill campus features an indoor swing gym used for athletics and Preschool activities.	Sports facilities Facilities on campus include turf soccer fields, a Spartan Gym for indoor sports, and a stadium. The campus also features a playground to support outdoor activities and informal play. These spaces support physical education and after-school sports. The shared facilities are located on the NSFS campus inside the Shoreline Center.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Mercer Island houses 30 classrooms and a dedicated library, with versatile outdoor spaces to support learning from 18 months through Grade 8. The Seattle – Capitol Hill Preschool campus offers three classrooms with a cozy library corner, plus an outdoor play space. A North Beacon Hill campus coming soon will include modern classrooms, an indoor gym, dedicated art and STEM labs, a library, and an outdoor play area. The facilities are designed to support learning across the school's age range and program breadth.	Academic facilities The bilingual curriculum addresses Washington State Common Core standards and the French curriculum. The two curricula are mapped to overlap and differ, enabling bi-literacy and a smooth transition to either a French school or the local middle school. Preschool and kindergarten instruction is primarily in French, with English introduced gradually to reach a 50/50 language balance in 4th and 5th grades. The elementary program uses the Singapore Math method for mathematics. In 5th grade, students take the DELF language diploma, and a Learning Specialist supports differentiated instruction across grades.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Clubs & Service offers middle school clubs including Magic: The Gathering, Webradio, Math Club, Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Yearbook, Musical Theater, Cooking, and Science Club. Campus Engagement provides leadership opportunities such as peer mediation, cross-grade mentoring, reading buddies, STEAM Fest teaching, and admissions ambassadors. Community Service activities include collecting for Tutu's Pantry, serving at Cherry Street Food Bank (Northwest Harvest), collecting supplies for a teen homeless shelter, collecting DVDs for Seattle Children's Hospital, writing letters to veterans, environmental restoration projects, and visits to elderly residents. These activities connect students with the broader Seattle area through service and collaboration.	Extra curricular facilities GLOBE, North Seattle French School's after-school program (Garderie, Loisirs & Optional Bilingual Enrichment), offers a variety of clubs and classes for different ages and interests. Clubs include Kung Fu, soccer, parkour, STEM, chess, and art. GLOBE runs Monday to Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and camp is available during breaks and in summer. NSFS operates a 9-seat private bus service between the Shoreline campus and Green Lake and Phinney Ridge in Seattle, with morning pickup around 8:00 a.m. and evening drop-off around 5:35 p.m. The Summer Camp is open to children aged 3 to 9 and takes place both inside NSFS and outdoors at the Shoreline Center.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Founded in fall 1995 by Patricia Blaise-Caves and Véronique Dussud with 13 students in the basement of a Newcastle church, FASPS moved to Newport Hills a year later due to growth. By 1999 enrollment reached 146 and the school relocated to Mercer Island, converting an old fire station near the Stroum Jewish Community Center; Dussud left to start the French Immersion School of Washington. Leadership changes followed, including Christine Knorr (1999–2001) and Yves Rivaud (2001–2003); expansion campaigns funded a one-story building completed in 2004 and a second floor added in 2008 to launch the middle school. Eric Thuau became Head of School in 2010, and the first graduating middle school class followed in 2011. In 2022 FASPS bought a city block on Seattle's North Beacon Hill for a future permanent home (opening 2026–2027) and expanded in 2024 with a dedicated preschool campus in Capitol Hill; today the school serves over 470 students from more than 60 countries.	History North Seattle French School opened in fall 2013 with a single kindergarten class. Since then, it has grown by one grade each year and established a preschool. In the 2018-2019 school year, it reached 5th grade, becoming a full bilingual elementary school in Seattle. The school began when a handful of parents shared the dream of a local French-American school and worked to make it a reality.
Community	Community When your family joins FASPS, you become part of a warm, inclusive community where every member is valued. The FASPS Parent Committee (FPC) strengthens these connections through social events, volunteer opportunities, and initiatives that bring families, faculty, and staff together. The community celebrates monthly parent coffees, the annual Kermesse carnival, and staff appreciation gatherings. It also supports learning by fundraising for the Cultural Agility Fund, which funds field trips, performances, and global experiences, and by coordinating volunteers and grade-level liaisons to support all families.	Community With our small class sizes and personalized attention, North Seattle French School ensures that every child's individual needs are met. Our supportive, community-focused environment fosters strong relationships between families, students, and teachers, creating a deep sense of belonging.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The FASPS Parent Committee (FPC) is the school's parent association; it strengthens connections through social events, volunteer opportunities, and initiatives that bring families, faculty, and staff together. It organizes monthly parent coffees, the annual Kermesse carnival, and staff appreciation gatherings. It coordinates volunteers and grade-level liaisons to support all families. It funds the Cultural Agility Fund to support field trips, performances, and global experiences, and coordinates food/clothing drives and partnerships with Mercer Island organizations.	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school has middle school clubs that support academic enrichment. Math Club and Science Club promote STEM inquiry and collaboration. Webradio develops digital literacy and communication skills. Yearbook Club and Musical Theater Club also strengthen analytical thinking and teamwork.	Academic & intellectual French language immersion and Francophone culture define NSFS's bilingual education. Students develop critical thinking, emotional intelligence and a global perspective from an early age. The mission is to cultivate globally minded independent thinkers through bilingual education. An integrated curriculum and a focus on social-emotional development support learning.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The school has arts and creative clubs including Musical Theater Club and Cooking Club, which provide opportunities to perform, create, and collaborate. Yearbook Club documents school life and designs layouts, supporting visual storytelling. These activities foster creativity, collaboration, and project-based work.	Arts & creative GLOBE after-school enrichment includes Art clubs; other popular enrichment classes include Kung Fu, soccer, parkour, STEM and Chess. After-school programs run from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., with additional camp during breaks and in summer.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language French language immersion and Francophone culture are central to NSFS. Through bilingual education, students gain a global perspective. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion are core values within the NSFS program.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The school has clubs that support social interests and hobbies, including Magic: The Gathering, Webradio, Cooking Club, Yearbook, and the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA). The GSA Club offers a space for dialogue and peer support. These clubs promote friendship, creativity, and practical problem-solving outside the classroom.	Social & hobbies After-school clubs offered through GLOBE include Art, Kung Fu, soccer, parkour, STEM and Chess, with activities designed for different ages and interests. These activities provide opportunities for students to explore varied hobbies and interests. The GLOBE program also operates after school from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and includes a bus option.
Community & service	Community & service The school has community service opportunities that empower students to volunteer beyond the school. Students collect for Tutu's Pantry, serve at Cherry Street Food Bank, collect supplies for a teen homeless shelter, and collect DVDs for Seattle Children's Hospital. They also write letters to veterans, participate in environmental restoration at local parks and beaches, and visit elderly residents in retirement communities.	Community & service NSFS fosters an engaged community of families and emphasizes Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. The school maintains community partnerships and hosts events such as the FrancoFun Gala.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The school has leadership opportunities on campus, including peer mediation, cross-grade mentoring, and reading buddies. They also participate in STEAM Fest teaching and serve as admissions ambassadors. These roles foster leadership, communication, and collaboration.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing All middle school students have the opportunity to participate in after-school athletics in Fall, Winter, and Spring (Soccer, Cross Country; Basketball, Volleyball; Track & Field). After-school options include clubs, bilingual study workshops, and indoor/outdoor activities that support wellbeing. Athletics foster physical health, teamwork, and resilience.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Small class sizes and personalized attention support students' social and emotional wellbeing. Social-emotional development is a core focus as part of the integrated curriculum, contributing to a supportive school community.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision French and English are the languages of instruction. An immersive bilingual program begins at 18 months, and many students develop age-appropriate fluency in French by the end of Kindergarten. The program supports dual-language proficiency across core subjects, with FAST providing structured pathways toward full bilingual participation. Students learn across subjects such as math, science, and history in both languages.	Language provision French and English are taught across NSFS programs. Language acquisition happens in an immersive environment, with body language and visual cues; English is introduced gradually through daily activities and literacy practices. By Grande Section, students navigate both languages, and by fourth grade the program maintains a 50/50 balance to support bilingual literacy. In fifth grade, students take the DELF exam to certify French language skills.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school offers a bilingual program in French and English for students from 18 months through Grade 8. Bilingual learning is integrated across subjects such as math, science, and history, enabling students to think and learn in both languages. The program blends the French national education framework with US practices to support bilingual development and global citizenship. Students develop age-appropriate fluency in both languages across the curriculum.	Bilingual teaching North Seattle French School uses a bilingual curriculum that integrates Washington State standards with the French curriculum to support bi-literacy across preschool through fifth grade. Preschool and kindergarten are taught mainly in French, with English introduced gradually; by fourth and fifth grades instruction is about 50% French and 50% English. English and French teachers co-teach in the classroom, collaborating on lesson plans and projects to connect the languages and support social-emotional learning. The program enables students to transition to either a French school or the local school system for middle school.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs FAST Track (French Accelerated Scholars Track) is a program for students with little or no prior French who join the bilingual system. It provides intensive, personalized language acquisition in two phases, with initial focus on oral comprehension, foundational literacy, and academic vocabulary in French while students continue English coursework; later phases bring more regular French classes with ongoing support. By the end of the program, students become confident bilingual learners who participate fully in the French-American curriculum. Preschool and Kindergarten offer an immersive bilingual environment beginning at 18 months, with many students developing fluency in French and English by Kindergarten.	Immersion programs NSFS offers French immersion from preschool through fifth grade as part of a bilingual K-5 program. In the early years, instruction is in French to build language foundations, with English added gradually to support bilingual proficiency. By the fourth grade, teaching is 50% in French and 50% in English, with teachers co-teaching to support language development. The curriculum aligns with both the French educational framework and Washington State standards.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations The school is accredited by the French Ministry of National Education and by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS).	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions The school offers a harmonized bilingual program from TYPK (18 months) through Grade 8, combining French and American curricula to develop proficiency in both languages. Learn about FASPS by signing up for an in-person tour or registering for open houses through the Ravenna application portal. Preschool and kindergarten applicants can attend Discovery Morning on a Saturday in March, while elementary and middle school applicants experience a Class Visit Day scheduled by the Director of Enrollment Management. A 15‑minute Book a Call with the admissions team is available to answer questions.	Admissions Step 1 - Submit an Application Online. We are now accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year. Please submit an online application with the non-refundable $90 application fee per child, payable via Stripe or by check. If you are interested in the 2025-26 school year, contact admissions to know if space is available; preschool entrants must be 3 by December 31, 2026 and kindergarten entrants must be 5 by December 31, 2026.
Scholarships	Scholarships The school awards over $2 million in tuition assistance each year, supporting about 20% of families. The program is based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds, with the Clarity Financial Aid system used to determine a family's level of need based on assets, income, expenses, and debts (the application is mobile-friendly). French citizens may be eligible for Bourses Scolaires through the French Consulate in San Francisco, and families may also apply for tuition assistance with FASPS; the Bourse Scolaire application is submitted online through Scolaide, a portal managed by AEFE, with information on creating a profile available from the Director of Enrollment Management. A list of supporting documents can be found for the Bourses Scolaires, and eligibility details are provided by the French Consulate. The school's Tuition Assistance FAQ explains that tuition assistance decisions are independent from admissions decisions, and that the Tuition Assistance Committee (comprising the Head of School, CFO, Director of Enrollment Management, and a board member) makes those decisions based on the provided financial information; a New Family Fee is a one-time charge that supports capital expenditures.	Scholarships Needs-based Tuition Assistance for K-5 is offered to help families access NSFS's bilingual education; Preschool does not currently offer financial aid. Aid is awarded as a grant and does not require repayment; awards range from 5% to 45% of tuition and are determined by the NSFS Tuition Assistance Committee using FAST, which analyzes family income, assets, family size, and other factors. The FAST online application opens January 9, 2026 and is due February 13, 2026 for new families (January 20, 2026 for returning families); multiple documents including tax returns and income proofs are required. For preschool, no NSFS aid is available; for eligible families, French Government Scholarships (Bourses Scolaires Françaises) may be available in addition to NSFS aid by applying with NSFS and consulting the Consulat Général de San Francisco site for deadlines. Tuition amounts for 2026-27: Half-day Preschool $14,480; Full-day Preschool $23,020; Elementary $23,020; Includes field trips, books, and supplies; Deposit 10% and New Family Fee $500; Sibling Discount 10%; Payment plans: Plan A (one-time payment with $100 discount), Plan B (3 installments), Plan C (9 installments).
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
	View full profile →	View full profile →