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French American School of Princeton

United States, Princeton

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, French
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 14 years
Pupil numbers 175
Type Co-educational
Opened 2000
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum
Taught languages French, English, Spanish
Typical class size 14
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction

French American School of Princeton is an independent bilingual day school serving ages 3 through 14, offering a blend of French and American teaching. The Preschool–8 program uses cross-language transfer to build fluency in both languages. No prior French knowledge is required through Grade 3; Grades 1–5 students receive additional French support (FLE). Beginning in Grade 6, students must demonstrate French proficiency and participate in an admissions assessment. The school is affiliated with AEFE and accredited by the French Ministry of Education and the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools, with NJAIS/MSA-CESS dual accreditation. The 42-acre campus beside Lake Carnegie in Princeton includes a gym, a soccer field, and multiple recess areas within neo-Gothic facilities, including a chapel and a stage. Textbooks are bilingual, and middle school students receive iPads. The program emphasizes bilingual fluency and biliteracy, preparing graduates to think and communicate in both languages across diverse settings worldwide.

75 Mapleton Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540, United States

The Essentials

French American School of Princeton has 175 pupils, typical class sizes of 14, instruction in English, French.

Location
75 Mapleton Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 (Building #4). The campus is a 42-acre site beside Lake Carnegie in Princeton, NJ, in the Princeton-Plainsboro area.

Stages
PreK–8

Type
Independent bilingual day school

Pupil Nationality Mix
30 countries represented.

Country affiliation
Affiliated with France through the Agency for French Teaching Abroad (AEFE).
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Lunch options include bringing lunch from home or purchasing hot or cold lunches prepared by a local caterer five days a week. Lunch is served at 12:00 for Preschool–Grade 2 and at 12:30 for Grades 3–8; Valentino's in Princeton is the lunch provider.

Governance and Ownership
The governance of the French American School of Princeton is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Board hires, evaluates, and supports the Head of School, implements the school mission and policies, and holds fiduciary responsibility. The school is accredited and part of a broader network of international French-language schools, including AEFE and AFSA.
Fees
Application fees

- An application fee is required at the time of application.
- A non‑refundable registration/administrative fee of USD 125 is charged annually at re‑enrollment.
- A non‑refundable enrollment deposit of USD 1,000 is payable upon signature of the enrollment contract.

Tuition fees by year group (2026–2027 academic year)

- Preschool (3 years old), 3 full days: USD 15,357 per year.
- Preschool (3 years old), 5 mornings (8:30–11:50 am): USD 18,893 per year.
- Preschool, Pre‑K & Kindergarten (full‑time): USD 25,592 per year.
- Grades 1 through 5: USD 26,699 per year.
- Grades 6 through 8: USD 28,133 per year.

Billing schedule and payment terms (payment-plan options and sample amounts)

- General: Tuition billing and payments are managed online through the school's FinalSite Enrollment billing portal; the school offers multiple structured payment plans.

- Plan A — Annual payment (2% tuition discount): pay the full tuition plus the insurance premium in full by the Plan A deadline (payment date shown in the enrollment materials) to receive a 2% discount. Example discounted tuition amounts (Plan A) by program: Preschool (5 mornings) USD 18,516; Preschool (3 days) USD 15,050; Preschool/Pre‑K/KG full‑time USD 25,081; Grades 1–5 USD 26,166; Grades 6–8 USD 27,571. Insurance premium amounts apply per student.

- Plan B — Bi‑annual: 50% of the tuition plus the insurance premium is due by the first due date (deadline shown in enrollment materials); the remaining balance is due by the second due date. Example bi‑annual total tuition figures (Plan B) by program: Preschool (5 mornings) USD 18,893; Preschool (3 days) USD 15,357; Preschool/Pre‑K/KG full‑time USD 25,592; Grades 1–5 USD 26,699; Grades 6–8 USD 28,133. Example first/second installment amounts are shown in the enrollment schedule for each program.

- Plan C — Monthly plan: 30% of the tuition balance plus the insurance premium is due by the down‑payment deadline; the remaining balance is split into 10 equal monthly installments (September through June). Example Plan C down payments and monthly installments (per program):
- Preschool (5 mornings): down payment USD 5,467.20; monthly USD 1,275.68.
- Preschool (3 days): down payment USD 4,387.80; monthly USD 1,023.82.
- Preschool/Pre‑K/KG full‑time: down payment USD 7,512.00; monthly USD 1,752.80.
- Grades 1–5: down payment USD 7,850.10; monthly USD 1,831.69.
- Grades 6–8: down payment USD 8,287.80; monthly USD 1,933.82.

- Additional billing terms: a $50 annual enrollment/portal fee is charged at the time of enrollment or re‑enrollment for families using the payment plans; a monthly late payment fee of USD 35 is assessed on any past‑due balance.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable; the school operates as a day school for Preschool through Grade 8, so there are no boarding fees.

Other costs and common additional fees

- Insurance premium: an insurance/premium charge is applied with tuition on all payment plans; the premium amount varies by program (examples appear with each payment‑plan schedule).
- After‑school / extended‑day program and activity fees: before‑ and after‑school care, trimester‑based after‑school activities, study hall and childcare options are available and are billed separately through the school's billing portal. Families may be charged per day or per activity depending on registration.
- Lunch service: an optional hot/cold lunch delivered by a local catering company is available five days a week; this service is optional and billed separately. Students may alternatively bring a packed lunch.
- School supplies and textbooks: a large portion of textbooks and classroom materials (including many materials purchased from France) are provided and covered by tuition; some grade‑specific supply lists may include items families must provide. Charges for camps, field trips, special middle‑school activities, instrument rentals or optional programs may be billed separately.
- Annual administrative fees (registration, portal fee, deposit) appear in the enrollment contract and are charged as described above.

Refund information

- The school includes a mandatory Tuition Refund Plan (Dewar Tuition Refund Plan) as part of the annual cost; participation is required for all families and the plan protects tuition commitments if a student withdraws or is dismissed during the academic year. The plan's coverage rules, benefit percentages and claims procedures are set by the Tuition Refund Plan policy. Typical benefit examples in the plan include payment of 75% of unused insured fees for medical withdrawal or dismissal (subject to plan terms) and payment of 60% of unused insured fees for non‑medical withdrawal after specified attendance thresholds. Claims are filed through the school business office per the plan instructions.

Fee payment options

- All tuition and tuition‑related payments are processed through the school's FinalSite Enrollment billing portal. FinalSite Enrollment supports common online payment methods such as credit/debit card and electronic check (e‑check); schools using FinalSite may also allow checks or other custom payment channels as configured in the portal. Families use the enrollment/billing portal to view invoices, enroll in payment plans, and make payments. For billing account questions families are directed to the school billing contact.
Academics

French American School of Princeton teaches American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum for students aged 3 to 14.

Curriculum
FASP offers a bilingual program for Preschool through 8th grade that blends French and American teaching methods. The cross-language transfer of skills occurs gradually to ensure a command of both languages. No prior knowledge of French is required through Grade 3; English-speaking students in Grades 1–5 receive additional French support (FLE). Students in Grades 6–8 must demonstrate French language proficiency and participate in an academic assessment prior to admission. The program emphasizes bilingual fluency and biliteracy, enabling graduates to think and communicate in both languages. The school is accredited by the French Ministry of Education and the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools, and is part of the AEFE network.

Student Teacher Ratio
Student to Teacher Ratio: 8:1. Average Class Size: 14 students.

Higher Education Progression
FASP graduates attend local independent schools, U.S. independent schools, and overseas independent schools; examples include Notre Dame High School and Peddie School.

Gifted and Talented
Students graduate with excellent work habits and high engagement in class, and are consistently placed in honors and advanced courses.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
FASP has a dedicated Counselor who leads the Social Emotional Learning program. The program helps students develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The school emphasizes the connection between physical and emotional health as part of a holistic education. Supplemental resources such as Dr. Friendtastic podcasts are used to initiate discussions alongside planned activities. An on-site Nurse supports health and safety, and a Child Study Team is available through the West Windsor-Plainsboro school district to assist with wellbeing as needed.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
A Child Study Team can be initiated by a parent request and works with the teaching team to provide a comprehensive evaluation and, if needed, a treatment plan. If parents agree to the plan, services are provided by the West Windsor-Plainsboro school district. All consultants are New Jersey Department of Education approved and state-certified. The main on-site services include augmentative evaluation, neurological services, occupational therapy evaluations, psychiatric services, psychological services, physical therapy evaluations, and speech and language services.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
FASP offers a bilingual program that combines French and American teaching methods, with no French required up to the 5th grade. For Grades 1–5, English-speaking students receive additional support in French (FLE) from experienced faculty. The program aims to develop fluency and biliteracy in both languages and support cross-language transfer of skills. The program operates under dual accreditation, enabling seamless transitions to a network of over 566 schools in 138 countries.

Mental Wellbeing
FASP emphasizes whole-child development and the connection between physical and mental health. The Counselor leads a Social Emotional Learning program, while an onsite Nurse supports health and safety. The school offers wellbeing education, awareness, and practice opportunities as part of the overall curriculum. Daily physical activity is integrated, with gym for Preschool and Kindergarten and physical education twice weekly for grades 1–8, plus interscholastic sports. The health and wellness team collaborates to sustain and enhance wellbeing for each student.

Safeguarding
Safety protocols address emergency situations, with faculty and staff trained in these procedures. Monthly drills are conducted to practice responses. The school maintains a non-discrimination policy that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, or any other protected characteristic. This policy extends to educational policies, admissions, financial aid, hiring and employment practices, use of facilities, athletics, and other programs.
Parent Experience

History
Founded 25 years ago by Corinne Güngör to promote bilingual and international education. Academics and accreditations are important and form the bedrock of FASP, but nurturing a school that supports students, families, faculty, and staff is equally critical. The school models the world envisioned by its founder, emphasizing open-mindedness, tolerance, and respect. FASP invites prospective families to visit, learn about its mission and values, and explore the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School divisions, along with dual accreditations by NJAIS/MSA-CESS and the French Ministry of Education.

Community
FASP maintains a bilingual, international community across its three divisions: Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School. The community emphasizes a respectful, supportive environment where students are treated as valued individuals who are part of the school family. The Head of School highlights a culture of leadership, curiosity, and collaboration within the school community. Visitors and prospective families are encouraged to engage with the school to learn about its mission and values.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The French American School of Princeton has an active Parents Association. The Association collaborates with parents, teachers, and school administrators to organize activities for students and their families. Its goal is to enhance and supplement the classroom experience and strengthen the school community. There are many activities and events planned for 2025-26, and members can sign up to volunteer through the volunteer sign-up sheet. For questions or to propose events, email pa@ecoleprinceton.org. The Association runs a Spiritwear store, with proceeds benefiting the association.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus is a 42-acre site next to Lake Carnegie in Princeton, NJ. The campus includes a soccer field, a dedicated playground, rolling recess fields, and a standalone gymnasium. The school occupies one of the neo-Gothic buildings on the former St. Joseph Seminary campus, which comprises five neo-Gothic buildings including a chapel, a gymnasium, a performance stage, and sports fields. The campus is located at 75 Mapleton Road, Princeton, NJ 08540. The campus lies adjacent to Carnegie Lake.

Sports Facilities
Interscholastic athletics are offered for Grades 4-8, with co-ed soccer and basketball teams competing against local independent and charter schools. Physical Education is provided for Preschool through Grade 8, focusing on motor skills, teamwork, and personal growth. The campus includes a standalone gymnasium used for indoor activities and PE. The campus also features a soccer field and recess fields to support outdoor sport and activity.

Academic Facilities
Textbooks are provided in both languages (French and English) at no extra charge. Middle School students are loaned individual iPads for learning, and Grade 5 students also have iPads. The school uses iPads to conduct research, and the science curriculum covers Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, Physics, Astronomy, Geology, and Chemistry. A library provides current materials across subjects and is expanded through donor contributions. Technology upgrades include new wireless laptops, a cart, multimedia projectors, and additional iPads.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The After School Program runs before and after school, from 7:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with before-school care and after-school activities available. Registration offers flexibility for one to five days per week, with childcare or study hall and a range of activities. Afterschool activities include art, music, sports, and chess clubs, and camps may be offered during Fall and Spring Breaks. Interscholastic athletics are offered for Grades 4-8, with co-ed soccer and basketball teams. The program is designed to foster creativity and exploration beyond the classroom.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
FASP offers a PreK-8 bilingual program that blends French and American teaching methods to promote high-level thinking and learning. The program welcomes students from 30 months through eighth grade, with no French required through grade 5 and cross-language transfer building bilingual fluency. In grades 6–8, students must demonstrate French proficiency and participate in an admissions assessment. Graduates speak fluently in both languages and are prepared to adapt to diverse educational settings.

Arts & Creative
Visual Arts and Music are integrated into the Early Childhood curriculum, exposing students to international artists and allowing them to create artwork in various media. The music program supports bilingual education, with singing in both French and English to develop language skills. Elementary students engage in Clay Artworks and Reading Rally, and middle school offers broader art, film, gardening, STEM, and other creative projects.

Cultural & Language
More than 30 countries are represented in the student body, and about 20 languages are spoken within the school community. The dual-language program teaches subjects in both English and French, with no French knowledge required for admission up to grade 5. The school promotes bilingual education as a global pathway under its Bilingual Education. Global Future branding.

Social & Hobbies
The After School Program runs before and after the school day, from 7:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with childcare, study hall, and a range of activities. Registration is flexible, with options to enroll for one to five days per week and activities that vary by trimester. The program includes after-school activities and inter-level athletics for Grades 4–8.

Leadership & Professional
FASP has appointed Fabrice Urrizalqui as the next Head of School, effective July 1, 2026. The Board of Trustees governs the school and includes officers such as the Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. The school is accredited by AEFE, MSA-CESS, and NJAIS and is a member of NAIS and AFSA.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The well-being of students is a priority, with the curriculum addressing physiological, emotional, and intellectual needs. Health and wellness support services are provided to enhance well-being beyond academics. The Physical Education program runs PreK–8, and interscholastic athletics are offered for 4–8, emphasizing health, teamwork, and personal development.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught are French and English, with instruction in both languages in the dual-language program. Preschool through Kindergarten require no prior knowledge of French. Grades 1–5 English-speaking students receive additional French language support (FLE) to build vocabulary and reading skills. Grades 6–8 must demonstrate French proficiency and participate in an admission assessment.

Bilingual Teaching
The school provides an immersive bilingual program that blends French and American teaching methods with cross-language transfer to build fluency in both languages. It welcomes students from 30 months through eighth grade. Preschool through kindergarten entrants do not need prior knowledge of French. Grades 1–5 English-speaking students receive additional French support (FLE), while Grades 6–8 must demonstrate French proficiency and participate in an admission assessment.

Immersion Programs
The program is immersive and bilingual, with instruction in French and English and a cross-language transfer of skills. It emphasizes immersive, bilingual learning across PreK–8.
Reputation

Awards
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Accreditations
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Admissions

Admissions
1. Create your application using our online admissions platform. Pay the application fee and upload all required documents, including a recent photo of the applicant, copies of report cards or progress reports, and the teacher's digital recommendation form. For students applying to grade 6 and above, upload a brief essay explaining why you would like to attend FASP. Schedule an in-visit class or virtual interview.

2. Admissions decisions and timelines. Applications for the 2026-27 school year are reviewed on a rolling basis and admitted based on availability in each grade. Early Admissions receive a decision within two weeks of application completion; if accepted, families have two weeks to sign the enrollment contract and pay the deposit.

3. Regular and late admissions timelines. Regular admissions deadlines include February 15, 2026 for applications (and February 15, 2026 for financial aid); February 27, 2026 for admissions notifications and financial aid notifications; Late admissions are reviewed on a rolling basis depending on grade availability.

4. Admission requirements. Children may join FASP at 30 months. Children must be fully toilet-trained, able to communicate to an adult before using the bathroom. No prior knowledge of French is required to enter Preschool through Grade 3; Grades 4–5 with no French are considered on a case-by-case basis; middle school requires French language proficiency. Students in Grades 1–8 who do not currently attend a French, French-American, or international school with a French program participate in an academic assessment prior to admission.

5. Enrollment steps and contact. Schedule a personal tour via the online portal; virtual tours are available for Preschool–Pre-K, Elementary, and Middle School. Additional admissions events are listed on the page, and there are options to arrange a visit on a different day if needed.

Scholarships
Financial aid is awarded based on demonstrated financial need and is confidential; in 2025-26, 20% of students benefited from financial assistance. The school partners with School and Student Services (SSS) and TADS in the financial aid process; SSS provides a confidential statement of need based on the Parents' Financial Statement, and the Financial Aid Committee reviews applications to determine eligibility, subject to available funds. The SSS school code for FASP is 144899; completed applications must be submitted through SSS by January 16, 2026 for current students and February 15, 2026 for new applicants; after February 15, 2026, applications are reviewed on a fund-available basis. French nationals must first apply for AEFE scholarships prior to applying for aid from the School. Helpful resources for financial aid include the 2026-27 How to Apply for Financial Aid and related materials.
School Events
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