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Strengths Languages, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Preschool, Kindergarten
Introduction
École Française de Boston - Walden Square Campus in Cambridge serves toddlers through Kindergarten. The campus is part of a three-campus network with Concord Ave Cambridge PreK–5th and Watertown Toddler–K, and offers before-school and extended-day options at select sites. The school follows a French National Education curriculum aligned with Massachusetts standards, with most classes taught in French and English gradually integrated to support bilingual proficiency. FLAM programs provide additional French-language activities, and DELF exams can be taken on site, with registration beginning at age 7 and the diploma valid for life. Walden Square emphasizes active, student-centered learning in small classes and a high teacher-to-student ratio. Afterschool clubs cover art, music, sports, and storytelling, and music instruction is available onsite. The daily rhythm includes outdoor time, with a structured extended-day option of 3:00–5:30 pm at Walden Square. The school hosts a diverse community of 25+ nationalities and about 270 students enrolled.
EFB École Française de Boston - Walden Square Campus has 270 pupils, instruction in French, English.
Location
Walden Square is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is one of École Française de Boston's campuses in the Cambridge area. The Walden Square Cambridge campus serves toddlers through Kindergarten (Toddler – K).
Stages
Toddler – K
Pupil Nationality Mix
25+ nationalities represented.
Additional learning support
Curriculum is designed to meet the individual needs of each child.
Fees
Annual tuition at EFB École Française de Boston - Walden Square Campus ranges from USD 23,750 to USD 26,000 for 2026/27.
Application fees
- A non‑refundable application fee of USD 75 is required for all full‑time school applications. - For the FLAM (after‑school) program: a USD 30 non‑refundable application fee; once admitted an additional USD 80 non‑refundable fee is due; a USD 400 tuition deposit is required at signing and credited toward FLAM tuition.
Tuition fees — Walden Square Campus (academic year 2026–2027)
- Walden Square Campus (21 Walden Square Road, Cambridge) — Toddler (full‑time toddler program): USD 26,000 per year. - Walden Square Campus — Pre‑K through Kindergarten: USD 23,750 per year.
Note: the school publishes these tuition amounts as annual figures for the 2026–2027 school year. A per‑term or per‑installment breakdown is not published on the school's public materials.
Sibling discounts and early‑payment discount
- Second child discount: 5% off tuition. - Third child discount: 10% off tuition. - Early‑payment discount: 3% discount if the tuition is paid in full before June 1 of the previous year.
Textbooks and campus‑specific extra academic fees
- A textbooks charge of USD 330 is published for the Concord Avenue campus; no separate textbooks fee is published specifically for the Walden Square campus.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition billing and enrollment are handled through TADS (the school's tuition‑management and registration provider). Families set up their tuition agreement and payment plan through TADS. Exact installment schedules, due dates, and the number of payments are established in each family's TADS tuition agreement. - The school applies the 3% early‑payment discount when tuition is paid in full by the published deadline (June 1 of the prior year). - TADS accepts multiple payment methods (online payment through a TADS account, phone, or mail) and allows payments by check, money order, ACH/bank transfer, and credit card. A convenience fee (typically 3%) applies when paying by credit card through TADS. Parents should consult their TADS tuition agreement for the exact payment options enabled on their account.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable. EFB operates day campuses (Toddler through Grade 5) and does not offer boarding.
Other costs and optional program fees
- Summer camp (separate from the academic year) is offered with published weekly rates beginning at USD 475 per week; discounts apply for multi‑week bookings (example: 5% discount for 3+ weeks). Summer camp is billed separately from annual tuition. - After‑school clubs, extended‑day care, and other optional activities may carry additional fees; specific prices for after‑school clubs are not published in the main tuition summary. FLAM program fees and deposits are listed separately under the FLAM admissions steps. - No uniform requirement or uniform fee is published on the public tuition/admission pages. No campus‑specific transportation (boarding/bus) fee schedule is published.
Refund and withdrawal information
- The school does not publish a detailed, public tuition refund or withdrawal schedule on its general admission pages. Refunds, withdrawal penalties, and the handling of deposits are governed by the enrollment/tuition agreement processed through TADS and by the school's enrollment terms. Families' specific refund and withdrawal terms are set in the signed TADS tuition agreement and related enrollment documents.
Fee payment options and practical notes
- Primary payment processing is managed through TADS: online account payments, phone payments, mailed checks/money orders, ACH/bank transfers, and credit cards (credit‑card payments may incur a convenience fee — commonly 3% through TADS). Parents will receive invoices and set up payment plans via their TADS account.
Summary of what was located and what is not published publicly
- Located and stated above: the Walden Square Campus annual tuition for Toddler (USD 26,000) and Pre‑K–K (USD 23,750) for the 2026–2027 academic year; the USD 75 school application fee; FLAM application, admission, and deposit amounts; sibling and early‑payment discounts; a textbooks charge listed for Concord Ave; and summer camp weekly pricing. - Not published in the school's public admission materials: an explicit per‑term (termly) breakdown of Walden tuition, a public calendar of tuition installment due dates, a detailed tuition‑refund/withdrawal schedule for academic‑year tuition, and campus‑specific incidental fees (uniform or transport) for Walden. These items are handled through the school's enrollment agreement and the TADS tuition agreement for each family.
Academics
EFB École Française de Boston - Walden Square Campus teaches French Curriculum, American Curriculum for students aged 2 to 10.
Curriculum
Walden Square Campus serves Toddler–K. The curriculum is carefully designed to meet the individual needs of each child. It covers ages from Toddler through 5th Grade. FLAM (Francais Langue Maternelle) programs provide francophone students enrolled in American schools with an extracurricular program and activities in French. The school supports DELF exam preparation, and DELF exams can be taken on site. DELF registration begins at age 7, and the diploma is valid for life.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school emphasizes social and emotional development as part of its bilingual curriculum. It fosters resilience, empathy, and collaboration, and cultivates confident, open-minded, and responsible learners. The approach is active, student-centered, and emphasizes hands-on learning, small class sizes, and a high teacher-to-student ratio to support personal growth. Exposure to diverse cultures fosters empathy and emotional intelligence, deepening students' self-awareness and intercultural understanding.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school adapts to every child and their different learning needs.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Most classes are taught in French, with English gradually integrated. English instruction reaches up to about 40% of the curriculum by CM2 (5th grade).
Mental Wellbeing
The environment supports wellbeing through resilience, empathy, and emotional intelligence, and provides a warm, welcoming, and nurturing learning atmosphere that values cooperation and respectful engagement.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Overview: EFB is a French immersion school in the Boston area offering the French National Education curriculum for children from 21 months to 12 years old. The admissions procedure enables parents and children to meet with teachers, visit facilities, and become familiar with the school's education philosophy to determine whether the school meets their needs. Open houses and individual visits are available to connect with staff and ask questions.
2. Campuses and age ranges: The Walden Square campus in Cambridge serves toddlers through Kindergarten; the Watertown campus serves the same age range; the Concord Ave campus in Cambridge serves Pre-K through 5th grade. Families select the campus based on age and program needs. The admissions process notes these locations as options for enrollment.
3. Tuition and programs: Tuition for 2026-2027 varies by campus and grade level. Walden Campus: Toddler $26,000; Pre-K to K $23,750. Watertown Campus: Toddler $23,500; Pre-K to K $20,600. Concord Ave Campus: Pre-K to K $21,100; 1st–5th $22,000; Textbooks $330. A 5% discount for the second child and a 10% discount for the third child apply; a 3% discount is offered if the tuition is paid in full before June 1 of the previous year.
4. Application process: Admissions applications for 2025/26 started on October 1, 2024; The admissions application must be filled on the TADS platform. A personal account with TADS is required before filling the online application, and a $75 nonrefundable fee applies to all applications.
5. One-on-One meeting: The last step consists of a one-on-one meeting with the family, lasting about 45 minutes. The goal is to understand short- and long-term family goals and explain how the school may meet those goals. The admissions process uses criteria such as knowledge of French, age, gender, and schedule to balance classes.
6. Key dates: Admission requests due before February 6, 2026. One-on-One interviews due before February 13, 2026 (for new families only). Final admission decision provided by March 6, 2026. Rolling admission for toddlers is first-come, first-served.
7. Financial aid: All financial aid applications must be completed on or before February 5, 2026 for the coming school year. The result of the financial aid request will be communicated at the latest by February 26, 2026. You must confirm to the school that your child will be attending on or before March 12, 2026 in order to secure a spot. Financial aid assists families by taking on a portion of tuition expenses. Financial assistance is reserved for children enrolled at EFB and aims to enable current families to continue their child's education at EFB, enable new families to join the school, promote socioeconomic diversity, and provide students every opportunity to receive the best education possible. Financial aid is not guaranteed as the amount is based on the final fund allocation for the year.
8. FLAM program enrollment: Step One—Applications for the 2026/27 school year will start in April/May 2026 and must be filled on the TADS platform; a $30 nonrefundable fee applies. Step Two—A one-on-one meeting with a parent and the student will be scheduled to answer questions about the FLAM program and assess the student's French level; the meeting lasts about 45 minutes. Step Three—Once admitted to the FLAM program, a nonrefundable $80 fee is due. Step Four—A Tuition Deposit of $400 is due at signing and is credited toward tuition.
9. Open houses and visits: Families are warmly welcomed to connect during Open Houses to meet staff and current families; if no Open Houses are scheduled, a virtual call or an in-person visit can be arranged.
Scholarships
Financial aid is offered to assist with tuition costs and is reserved for children enrolled at EFB. It aims to enable current families to continue their child's education at EFB, enable new families to join the school, promote socioeconomic diversity, and provide students every opportunity to receive the best education possible. Financial aid results are communicated by February 26, 2026, and attendance confirmation is required by March 12, 2026 to secure a spot. Financial aid is not guaranteed and depends on the final amount allocated to the fund for that year.
FAQs
Where is EFB Walden Square Campus located?
Walden Square is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as one of École Française de Boston's campuses. It serves toddlers through Kindergarten and is part of a three-campus system in the Cambridge area (the other campuses are Concord Ave Cambridge and Watertown).
What ages and grade levels does Walden Square Campus serve?
Walden Square Campus serves Toddler through Kindergarten (roughly ages 2 to 5). Across the ÉFB network, other campuses offer programs from 21 months up to 12 years, including Pre-K–5th grade at Concord Ave and Watertown for older ages.
What curriculum and language focus does EFB Walden Square use?
Walden Square uses a French immersion curriculum with French as the language of instruction. English is gradually integrated, and the program includes FLAM (French as a Language of Maternelle) activities. DELF exam preparation is offered on site, with DELF exams available on campus.
What are the tuition rates for Walden Square Campus for 2026–2027?
For 2026–2027, tuition at Walden Square is USD 26,000 per year for the full-time Toddler program, and USD 23,750 per year for Pre-K through Kindergarten.
What fees should I know about when applying or enrolling in Walden Square?
There is a USD 75 nonrefundable application fee for full-time applications. For the FLAM program, there is a USD 30 nonrefundable application fee, an USD 80 nonrefundable admission fee after acceptance, and a USD 400 tuition deposit credited toward FLAM tuition.
Are there discounts for siblings or for paying early?
Yes. There is a 5% discount for a second child and a 10% discount for a third child. There is also a 3% early-payment discount if tuition is paid in full before June 1 of the prior year.
What does the admissions process look like, and what are the key timelines?
Applications are submitted via the TADS platform after creating a personal TADS account, with a USD 75 application fee. New families complete a 45-minute one-on-one meeting, and final admission decisions are typically issued by early March; admissions notes include rolling intake for toddlers. Financial aid applications are due by February 5, 2026, with aid results by February 26, 2026, and attendance confirmation by March 12, 2026 to secure a spot.
What is the language of instruction and how is bilingualism implemented?
The curriculum is primarily taught in French, with English gradually integrated to support bilingualism. Walden Square (Toddler–K) and Watertown campuses follow immersion in early childhood, while Concord Ave Cambridge provides immersion through Pre-K–5th grade, with English contributing progressively (about 40% by CM2).
Does EFB Walden Square offer DELF exam prep and on-site DELF exams?
Yes. The school supports DELF exam preparation, and DELF exams can be taken on site. DELF registration begins at age 7, and the diploma is valid for life.
What are class sizes and teacher support like at Walden Square?
The program emphasizes small class sizes and a high teacher-to-student ratio to support personalized learning. Specific student-teacher ratio figures are not published.
Do you offer before-school care or extended-day programs at Walden Square?
Yes. The standard day runs 8:30 am–3:00 pm, with before-school care from 8:00–8:30 am. Extended-day options run 3:00–5:00 pm, with Walden and Watertown offering 3:00–5:30 pm and Concord offering up to 3:00–6:00 pm in some cases.
Is there a summer camp, and how is it priced?
Yes, there is a separate summer camp with weekly rates starting at USD 475. Discounts apply for multi-week bookings (for example, a 5% discount for 3+ weeks).
What after-school clubs are available, and what do they include?
After-school clubs are offered and immerse students in French language and culture, with activities such as art, music, sports, and storytelling. These clubs run in addition to extended-day care.
Are there leadership or student-involvement opportunities?
Yes. Leadership experiences exist through school events, including opportunities like Director for the Day. Families can also engage by serving on the board or on fundraising or event committees.
What wellbeing, SEN, and EAL support does EFB provide?
The school emphasizes social-emotional development (SEL) and resilience, with a warm, nurturing environment. It adapts to each child's needs (SEN) and integrates English gradually, with about 40% English in CM2.
How can families engage with the school community and events?
Families are invited to speak in class and can serve on school committees (board, fundraising, events, or after-school). The school hosts family-focused events such as apple picking, dance parties, farm outings, and School Breakfast gatherings to foster community.
Is there a school uniform, and how is dress code handled?
There is no published uniform requirement for Walden Square.
How is the school governed, and who sits on the board?
The school is governed by a Board of Directors made up of volunteer parents and community members. The Board works with the Head of School on governance, financial oversight, and long-term strategic planning.
What is the history and growth of EFB and its campuses?
FLAM opened in 2008, with the EFGB full-time class starting in Belmont in 2010 and the Medford campus opening in 2011. Watertown opened in 2013, with Medford and Watertown consolidating in 2015 and Walden Campus opening in 2017. The Concord Ave Campus opened in 2020, and EFGB became EFB in 2024, now serving 270+ students from 25+ nationalities.
What campus addresses exist for Cambridge locations?
Concord Ave Cambridge campus is located at 799 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138. Walden Square is the Cambridge Toddler–K campus, and the Concord Ave site is the Pre-K–5th campus in the same Cambridge area.
