French Curriculum International Schools in Seattle, United States
Compare 5 French Curriculum international schools in Seattle, United States. Filter by curriculum, fees (average USD 22,718), location, and more to find the right international school now.
French American School of Puget Sound - Seattle — Capitol Hill
Oldest
French American School of Puget Sound - Seattle — Capitol Hill (1995)
About international schools in Seattle, United States
In the Seattle area, French-curriculum education is offered mainly by small private bilingual schools and independent French-curriculum preschools and elementary programmes, with the wider public-school international pathways more commonly focused on Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin. Private providers typically deliver either the French national curriculum or a harmonised French - American programme, with most schools teaching in both French and English and using immersion in the early years. Fees vary: public immersion places are publicly funded, while private French schools in the region can range from modest preschool tuition to annual fees in the low tens of thousands and, at some campuses, above USD 40,000 depending on age and programme. Admissions follow two rhythms - district preschool/kindergarten windows and residence-based assignments for option schools, and the private sector’s rolling or seasonal application cycle - so relocating families should plan visits and applications several months before their intended start date.
What kinds of French programmes will I find in Seattle?
You will find two broad models: private schools that follow the French curriculum or a harmonised French - American bilingual model, and private preschools offering French immersion; public dual-language/‘international’ schools in Seattle more often offer other languages but may include French elements in some pathways. Private French-curriculum schools organise learning around French cycles and bilingual programmes, while district international schools usually follow American standards with significant portions of the day taught in the partner language. Check each school’s language model and curriculum claim to understand whether it follows the French national programme, a blended curriculum, or a U.S. state curriculum with French immersion.
How much do these schools typically cost?
Costs vary widely: Seattle Public Schools’ immersion or international pathway places are publicly funded, while private French schools publish tuition that can range from mid-five figures for full-day preschool and elementary up to around USD 40 - 44k a year for some grades at larger bilingual campuses. Many private schools also charge application or enrolment fees and additional costs for wraparound care, meals or extra activities, and some offer tuition assistance; always check the school’s current published fee schedule and financial-aid options.
What language of instruction should I expect at different ages?
Early years in French bilingual schools are commonly immersion-based so children spend a large part of the day in French to build oral fluency, while English literacy and subject teaching increase through the elementary years. In programmes that harmonise French and American curricula, instruction may split across subjects or the school day; public dual-language models often use a formal 50/50 or half-day approach. Ask schools for examples of a typical weekly timetable and for details about home-language support if your family does not already speak French.
When should we start the admissions process if we are relocating?
Plan to start several months before your target start term: public preschool and kindergarten follow district application windows and residence rules, while private French schools commonly operate rolling admissions or seasonal application cycles and run regular tours and testing or placement checks. Contact each school early to reserve a tour, confirm application deadlines, and learn about assessments, deposit requirements and waitlist practices so you can coordinate moves and childcare logistics.
What should we look for on a school visit to decide if it’s right for our child?
On a visit, check the language model (how much of the day is in French and which staff are native or certified), teacher qualifications and experience with bilingual education, classroom routines that support language acquisition, and how the school measures academic progress and pastoral care. Also ask about accreditation or homologation with the French Ministry (if relevant to continuing education abroad), sample timetables, extracurricular provision and practical details such as before/after-school care, transport and costs beyond tuition. These practical checks will help you compare programmes that use the same label but offer different day-to-day experiences.
