French American Academy

The French American Academy operates campuses in Englewood, NJ and Jersey City, NJ. The Englewood campus serves Preschool through Elementary; the Jersey City campuses serve Preschool through Elementary on one site and Middle School through High School on another. FAA serves Jersey City, Englewood, Hoboken, and the NYC area.

Preschool; Elementary School; Middle School; High School.

Private bilingual international school; instruction in English and French; 95% of classes taught in both languages; High School in Jersey City offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.

Over 55 nationalities represented; diverse international student body.

France and United States

The school follows both the American curriculum (accredited by the Middle States Association) and the French curriculum (accredited by the French National Ministry of Education) from Preschool through Elementary School. The program uses a bilingual co-teaching approach with a project-based method, social and emotional learning, and International Education. No prior knowledge of French is required to enroll in Preschool or Kindergarten; an Accelerated French Program (AFP) is offered for 1st through 8th grade for students with no prior French experience. The FAA High School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Candidate program in Jersey City. Classes are taught in English and French, with 95% of classes taught in both languages.

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FAA High School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Candidate program in Jersey City, and graduates attend high schools such as Bergen County Academies, Bergen Catholic, UNIS, Saint Peters Prep, McNair High School, and Lycée Français de New York.

The school nurtures healthy students through Social & Emotional Learning (SEL). SEL is supported by a Responsive Classroom approach that fosters a sense of belonging, purpose and confidence. It emphasizes Growth Mindset development, teaching that intelligence and talents can be developed over time. Non-Violent Communication helps students identify unmet needs and express their feelings to resolve conflicts. The school treats social and emotional skills as essential to learning and involves families as partners.

For special needs, FAA provides a comprehensive approach including ESL-FSL intervention with language support in French or English; non-English-speaking students are accepted at every grade. FSL support is available to English-speaking students starting in Kindergarten, with early grades featuring substantial French immersion. An Instructional Student Support program reinforces reading, writing and math; a multidisciplinary Intervention Team addresses learning, behavior or health needs with in-house professionals. The process emphasizes collaborative problem solving to support individual students.

The school offers ESL (English as a Second Language) and FSL (French as a Second Language) support, with language specialists providing English or French instruction as needed. ESL classes are designed for non-native English speakers; FSL support is available to English-speaking students from Kindergarten and up, with early grades featuring substantial French immersion. The International Track, available at Englewood and Jersey City campuses, requires no French; students can benefit from bilingual education while learning French at their own pace.

SEL supports mental wellbeing by developing self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. The school uses a Responsive Classroom approach to create a nurturing, inclusive, and safe environment and emphasizes a Growth Mindset and Non-Violent Communication to foster resilience and positive social interactions.

The school is committed to a safe and respectful environment for all community members. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging is a core value, with a Diversity & Inclusion Committee guiding training and events to promote inclusion. The Student Support team includes an Intervention Team with a licensed psychologist, a licensed speech therapist and a licensed clinical social worker to provide in-house support for students with learning, behavioral or health needs.

Applications are being accepted for 2025-26 and 2026-27. Families may apply via Quick Acceptance (PK2 and PK3), Standard, or Late Applications. Quick Acceptance offers a fast decision after submitting the online application, meeting with the Division Head and Admissions Director, and paying the deposit to secure the seat; this option is currently offered only for PK2 and PK3. Standard Applications have deadlines ( July 3, 2025 to January 20, 2026 for the 2025-26 cycle) with complete applications due by January 20, 2026 and decisions issued no later than February 13, 2026; enrollment forms and deposits are due within two weeks of the decision; late applications are welcome after January 20, 2026 on a rolling basis. After submitting the application, families are invited to a family interview with the Division Head and Admissions Director. MAP testing may be required after submission depending on grade level. Preschool & Kindergarten require age qualifications: Pre-K2 must be 2.5 by the first day; Pre-K3 must be 3 by December 31; Pre-K3 and up must be potty-trained; Pre-K4 must be 4 by December 31; Kindergarten must be 5 by December 31. Elementary & Middle School have track options: Grades 1–5 require French to join the bilingual track, with an International Track available at Englewood for students with no prior French; Middle School at Jersey City offers the bilingual track (Grades 6–8) with French fluency required, and the International Track is available at Jersey City starting in Grade 6. High School accepts applications for Grades 9 and 10 for the 2026–27 year, with no prior French knowledge required for those grades.

Financial aid is available through The French American Academy Scholarship Program and through French government bursaries. FAA Financial Aid is need-based and may combine with AEFE-supported aid; applications require a letter of request to Fabienne Tomeda (ftomeda@faacademy.org), tax returns for the two most recent years, and, for French nationals, the AEFE financial aid application and response. If parents are divorced or separated, both must file for aid. The school uses the NAIS School and Student Services (SSS) to help determine an affordable contribution. French government bursaries are available to French citizens for Pre-K3 through Grade 8 via AEFE and the French Consulate in New York. Tuition can be paid in monthly installments or annually, with a discount for annual payment.

If an accepted student delays enrollment or chooses not to enroll, they may be placed on the waiting list. The enrollment seat is guaranteed only after the enrollment form is submitted and the deposit is paid; after January 20, 2026, late applications are accepted on a rolling basis and seats become available as spaces allow, at which point enrollment forms are sent to waitlisted families.