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French American School of Rhode Island

United States, Providence

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, French
Fees $17,451 - 25,499
Ages 3 - 14 years
Pupil numbers 200
Type Co-educational
Opened 1994
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum
Taught languages French, English, Spanish
Typical class size 18
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction

French American School of Rhode Island (FASRI) is an independent bilingual day school in Providence serving students from preschool through eighth grade. The curriculum combines a French program and an American framework, taught in both French and English, with Spanish added in grade 6. The school is part of the AEFE network and holds accreditation from the French Ministère de l'Éducation, NEASC, and the Rhode Island Board of Education. Maternelle (PK–K) begins the cycle in two languages; elementary classes are co-taught in French and English across language arts, reading, writing, science and social studies, and middle school continues bilingual instruction with English-dominant math and science and a French-English language arts track. The Coast to Coast Signature Program connects FASRI with another AFSA network school for cross-country, cross-cultural collaboration. Field trips and partnerships with RISD Museum, Providence College, and institutions enrich learning. DELF language certifications are offered in multiple levels.

The Essentials

French American School of Rhode Island has 200 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English, French.

Location
75 John Street, Providence, RI 02906. The school is located in Providence, Rhode Island, in the John Street area.

Stages
Preschool (PK) through 8th grade (petite section–4eme).

Type
Independent bilingual day school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Russia, Senegal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Country affiliation
France (AEFE network) with accreditation by the Ministère de l'Éducation nationale et de la jeunesse; New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

School day structure
Early morning drop-off 7:30am–8:15am; Maternelle/Pre-elementary 8:30am–2:45pm; Elementary 8:30am–2:55pm; Middle School 8:15am–2:55pm; Afterschool program 3:30pm–5:30pm.

Bus service
Transportation: Kindergarten and up are eligible to take the school bus to FASRI from Barrington, Bristol, Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Johnston, Lincoln, North Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, Smithfield and Warren.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Lunch program available. The hot lunch program Café de Vie with Chef Raul is managed through MealManage; lunches start at $8.00. Students may bring their own lunches or purchase lunch; there is a nut-free policy. Refrigeration is not available, and microwaves are not provided.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Board of Trustees and is an independent school; governance follows best practices set forth by NAIS and NEASC.
Fees

Annual tuition at French American School of Rhode Island ranges from USD 17,451 to USD 25,499 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- Non-refundable application fee: USD 75, required with the online application.
- One-time new-student registration fee (first-time enrollees): USD 500, non-refundable.

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

- Maternelle / Preschool (PK1–Kindergarten):
- Full-day (PK1–K): USD 21,801 per year.
- Half-day (PK1 only): USD 17,451 per year.

- Lower School / Élémentaire (Grades 1–5):
- Annual tuition: USD 21,801 per year.
- Passport Signature Program fee (one-time, billed the first year only): USD 3,000.

- Middle School (Grades 6–8):
- Annual tuition: USD 25,499 per year.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The school offers three tuition payment plans for the academic year:
- Single payment: one payment due June 10.
- Nine monthly payments: due June 10 through February 10.
- Twelve monthly payments: due June 10 through May 10.
- Tuition payments are processed through the school's tuition management system (TADS).

After‑school / extended‑day and enrichment fees

- La Garderie (after-school care): billed monthly for periods attended at the end of each month; cost per period: USD 12. Period 1: 3:15–4:30 pm; Period 2: 4:30–5:30 pm.
- Garderie Yearly Pass (full-year commitment for PK1 and PK2, Monday–Friday 3:15–5:30 pm): USD 2,500 per year; this pass is a full-year commitment and is non-refundable.
- Late pick-up charge: USD 12 for every 10 minutes per family after 5:30 pm.
- Afterschool clubs, camps, and other co-curricular activities are priced separately and billed in addition to tuition; fees vary by program.

Boarding fees

- The school serves Preschool through Grade 8 and does not operate a boarding program; therefore no boarding fees apply.

Other costs and typical incidental fees

- Passport Signature Program: one-time USD 3,000 fee billed in the student's first year in the program (already listed under lower school).
- Supplies and reading materials: grade-specific supply and reading lists are published for each year; families are responsible for purchasing required supplies.
- Clothing / attire: students are expected to wear comfortable clothing suitable for play and physical education; sneakers (closed-toe shoes) are required for PE. There is no listed school uniform fee.

Refund information (items explicitly stated as non-refundable)

- Application fee: USD 75 — non-refundable.
- New student registration fee: USD 500 — non-refundable.
- Garderie Yearly Pass: USD 2,500 — full-year commitment and non-refundable.

Fee payment options and methods

- Tuition and school fees are collected through the school's tuition management provider (TADS). Accepted payment methods through that service include major credit cards, automatic bank withdrawal/ACH, e-checks, and mailed or in-person checks and money orders. Schools commonly apply convenience or processing fees for certain card or ACH transactions as permitted by the tuition management service.

Notes on billing procedures

- After-school care is billed monthly for actual attendance; Garderie Yearly Passes are added as a full-year add-on to the school year agreement and are charged accordingly.

If you are entering these items into a database, use the USD amounts shown above for the 2026–2027 academic year and note the specific one-time and recurring charges as listed.
Academics

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

Curriculum
The school provides bilingual instruction in French and English for preschool through eighth grade and is accredited by the French Ministry of Education, the Rhode Island Board of Education, and NEASC, with AEFE membership. La Maternelle (PK1–PK2–Grande Section) forms Cycle 1; it comprises three sections and, over three years, students learn in two languages and can express themselves in both French and English by age six. Elementary is organized into Cycle 2 (grades 1–3) and Cycle 3 (grades 4–6), with co-taught classes delivering language arts, reading, writing, mathematics, science, civics and social studies in French and English, and students participate in the Coast to Coast Signature Program. Middle School (grades 6–8) features language arts and social studies in French and English, with math and science taught in English, and Spanish introduced in grade 6; project-based learning and digital literacy are emphasized. Passport Class Program provides an accelerated French-language track for lower elementary students, with a specialized FLE teacher, leading to regular classes with increasing French proficiency, and DELF diplomas offered in 2nd, 5th and 8th grades. DELF Diplomas are offered at six CEFR levels and are internationally recognized; the program certifies French-language proficiency.

Student Teacher Ratio
Enrollment is 180 students; 40 faculty and staff; approximate student-to-teacher ratio is about 4.5 to 1.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates pursue higher education in the United States and abroad. Notable universities attended by FASRI alumni include Brown University, Harvard University, Tufts University, McGill University, RISD, University of Rhode Island and University of Massachusetts Amherst. Alumni have also enrolled at Université Paris Cité and La Sorbonne.

Gifted and Talented
Enrichment Programs offer after-school clubs, electives and family-engaged activities beyond the classroom, including ballet, fencing and music lessons. Coast to Coast Signature Program connects FASRI with AFSA schools for cross-country, cross-curricular learning and global leadership projects.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Student Support staff is available to support students, parents, and colleagues. Positive Discipline Tools are used to develop students' social-emotional skills, with ongoing staff training during Orientation Week and each school year. The program includes resources and activities for stress management, mindfulness, self-regulation, and social-emotional growth, plus SEL activities and interactive experiences for students.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school has Student Support staff available to support students, parents, and colleagues. The Student Support Department disseminates common tools and language to support students' needs as part of the school's inclusive approach.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school operates as a bilingual program with English and French instruction. In Maternelle, English language lessons nurture reading and build bridges to French; teachers use a bilingual approach to support language development. In Elementary and Middle School, language arts are taught in both French and English, with math and science taught in English; a third language, Spanish, is introduced in Grade 6, reflecting the program's multilingual structure.

Mental Wellbeing
Student Support staff assist with managing stress and promoting well-being. The program offers well-being activities, mindfulness resources, and guidance to support students' mental health and emotional regulation.

Safeguarding
FASRI maintains a nut-free policy to ensure student safety. The Parent Page provides access to the Parent-Student Handbook, which contains school policies and procedures related to safeguarding and student welfare.
Parent Experience

History
FASRI was founded in 1994 by Dominique Velociter, initially named La Petite Ecole, with the first classroom in the front room of a Victorian home. It adheres to the standards of the French government and American independent schools and is accredited by the Ministere de l'Éducation Nationale, the Rhode Island Board of Education, and NEASC. FASRI is part of the AEFE network of French schools worldwide. It serves preschool through eighth grade and enrolls about 180 students with roughly 40 faculty members.

Community
FASRI hosts a yearly Marché de Noël organized by parent volunteers for the FASRI community and wider: a family-focused tradition. In past years the school has attended a Rhode Island State House flag-raising ceremony where students sing in French. The Parents' Association organizes events such as the Summer Park Playdate and the Annual FASRI Community Picnic at Colt State Park. Giving Week in October supports enrichment programs, technology in the classroom, and capital improvements.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Family Association (FA) is led and run by families of FASRI students. It fosters a vibrant school-wide community by organizing Back-To-School Picnics, Café Days, movie nights, and park playdates. The FA raises funds to provide the school with new and updated equipment, including a filtered water fountain, library carpets, new stage curtains, and a sound system for the auditorium. Volunteers are invited to help plan events and engage families across FASRI.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school is located at 75 John Street, Providence, RI 02906. Early morning drop-off is provided in the school cafeteria from 7:30am to 8:15am. Maternelle (PK1–K) students have access to an Exploration Room for free play and creative projects during after-school care. Field trips and experiential learning are central, with partnerships including Providence Children's Museum and the RISD Museum, and trips to Boston and the Mystic Aquarium. The location in Providence supports a range of learning experiences in partnership with nearby institutions such as Brown University and RISD Museum.

Sports Facilities
The Athletics program covers a wide range of movement activities, including yoga, gymnastics, soccer, pickleball, wiffle ball, flag football, street hockey, jogging, kickball, and basketball. Preschool through Kindergarten participate in swimming and/or rock climbing, while Elementary and Middle School students engage in ice skating, swimming, and broader athletics. Middle School sport programs are offered in cooperation with Providence Country Day School, and physical education classes take place at the Fox Point Boys and Girls Club and at Gano Park. After-school Clubs extend athletic opportunities, including Soccer Junior and Little League Soccer. The club offerings support sports participation beyond the regular school day.

Academic Facilities
FASRI holds AEFE accreditation, is connected with the Ministry of National Education in France, and is accredited by NEASC. It is a member of AFSA (Association of the French Schools in North America) and the Mission Laïque Française, reflecting its dual-language, international character. The school serves preschool through 8th grade with bilingual instruction and maintains partnerships with Providence College and the RISD Museum to enrich academics. French language resources include a librarian and curated materials such as Koobyvox, LanguageLizard, Il etait une histoire, French Books Online, and other bilingual resources. Accreditations and partnerships support a broad, globally oriented curriculum integrated with local institutions.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Afterschool Clubs run PK1 through Grade 8 and include Ballet, Beginner Fencing, Cheerleading/Gymnastics, Chess, French Theater, Human Body Science Club, Kinderdance, Kindermotion and gym (ages 3–6), Les grands chefs, Les petits chefs, Little Hands, Big World, Little League Soccer, Modern/Jazz Dance, Piano, Pickleball, Robotics/STEM, Russian Math, Soccer Junior, Spanish for Beginners, and Zoo Club. Field trips and co-curricular activities are a formal part of the program, with day trips to RISD Museum and local sites and overnight trips as part of the curriculum. In addition to regular day activities, there are seasonal camps such as October Camp, February Camp, April Camp, and Summer Camp. The enrichment program emphasizes connecting classroom learning with real-life experiences and language development through these offerings.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The French American School of Rhode Island follows the French educational system and is organized into four cycles: Cycle 1 (Maternelle), Cycle 2 (Elementary), Cycle 3 (Elementary), and Cycle 4 (Middle School). It provides a rigorous international academic program based on a French curriculum framework, with over 25 years of experience in French immersion and multilingual education, and it meets CCSS in language arts and mathematics. The curriculum is a true dual-language program taught in two languages, with Spanish added as a third language in 6th grade. Immersion uses second language acquisition as the vehicle for learning the academic curriculum, developing language skills and critical thinking across languages.

Arts & Creative
Visual arts are taught as part of the curriculum, including painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, cinema, graphic art and digital art. Students express themselves through art and produce both 2D and 3D creations. Experiential Learning links art with other disciplines through partnerships with the RISD Museum and similar venues, integrating art analysis into the curriculum. The FASRI Times provides a platform for creative writing and journalism through after-school clubs.

Cultural & Language
The program delivers a true dual-language curriculum taught in two languages, with English and French as core languages and Spanish introduced in the sixth grade. Language arts are taught in both French and English, and students build multilingual proficiency across these languages. FASRI is part of the AEFE network and serves a richly diverse community from many countries, with families from over 130 nations. The Coast to Coast Signature Program connects FASRI with another AFSA network school for cross-country, cross-cultural, and multilingual collaboration, including international trips.

Social & Hobbies
Afterschool Clubs and other enrichment activities are offered to extend the day and foster social and hobby interests. Field trips are an integral part of the program, with visits to the RISD Museum, farms, the Mystic Aquarium, and other sites that connect learning to real life. The Physical Education program emphasizes wellness and fitness, offering activities such as yoga, gymnastics, soccer, pickleball, wiffle ball, flag football, street hockey, and basketball. Overnight trips and project-based activities promote teamwork, resilience, and social development.

Community & Service
The school welcomes volunteers in many areas, including Open Houses, leading an Afterschool Club, theatre, art or music presentations, and classroom support; volunteers are organized through the Family Association with monthly meetings and an ambassador program, and alumni may serve as Alumni Attachés. Community involvement extends to school events and programs that bring families together and support school life.

Leadership & Professional
The Coast to Coast Signature Program connects FASRI with the San Diego French American School in a global issues leadership program that is inquiry-based, cross-age, cross-curricular, and cross-country. Students engage in fieldwork, research, pen-pal collaboration, and host-family exchanges to develop leadership, collaboration, research, and communication skills. The program emphasizes multilingual communication and intercultural understanding across three languages, including French, English, and Spanish. The Passport Class Program also provides structured pathways toward DELF certifications to formally demonstrate French-language proficiency.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Extended day options include Early Morning Drop-off and La Garderie After-school Care to support families. The Physical Education program emphasizes wellness, fitness, and social-emotional growth, with activities ranging from yoga and gymnastics to team sports like soccer and basketball. Field trips and overnight trips foster autonomy, responsibility and resilience, with examples including swimming, ice skating, and other outdoor activities across age groups. Preschool through Kindergarten emphasize motor development through activities like motricité, and younger students engage in sleep-friendly routines and safe, nurturing environments.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches French and English across the curriculum, with early years emphasizing French language immersion and English reading support. A third language, Spanish, is introduced in the sixth grade. DELF diplomas in French are available in 2nd, 5th and 8th grades.

Bilingual Teaching
FASRI delivers bilingual education in French and English from preschool through middle school. In Maternelle, most of the day is in French with English lessons to nurture reading and bridge the languages. In Elementary and Middle School, language arts, social studies and other core subjects are taught in both French and English, with a third language, Spanish, introduced in Grade 6.

Immersion Programs
Passport Class Program provides a fully immersive bilingual education for younger learners (ages 3–5) to accelerate French language acquisition. Passport students receive an intensive French track taught by a certified teacher while continuing to study all subjects in English, joining regular classes as soon as possible. The program welcomes international students and emphasizes developing proficiency in two languages; DELF diplomas are offered in 2nd, 5th and 8th grades.
Reputation

Accreditations
The school is accredited by the French Ministry of Education, the Rhode Island Board of Education, and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The school is part of AEFE, a worldwide network of French schools; AEFE reports include 400,000 students in AEFE-accredited schools and 581 member schools worldwide, with 60 in North America. The community is diverse, with families from over 130 countries, and many students begin with no French.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit an online application by January 31 with a $75 non-refundable application fee. The application deadline for entry in September is January 31; after that date, new applications are considered according to space availability. The online application is completed via Ravenna hub. 2. Schedule a parent meeting with the Director of Enrollment and a student evaluation. These steps enable the admissions team to review your family's goals and assess the student's needs. 3. Submit the required documents: PK1, PK2 and K applicants may have a preschool recommendation form returned by February 15; G1–8 applicants must provide a teacher recommendation form and copies of the last three report cards by February 15. Incomplete applications will not be considered by the Admissions Committee. 4. Upon notification of acceptance in mid-March, finalize enrollment with a non-refundable new student fee of $500 for Preschool through Grade 8, due within eight days (or by the date indicated on the contract). 5. Important policies: the cut-off date is September 1; applicants must have reached the required age by that date (birthday on or before August 31). Children from a French system are placed in the grade declared by their former school; other students are placed in the grade FASRI deems most appropriate. Sibling applicants receive special consideration only at the Petite Section/Preschool entry point and are not guaranteed admission. French nationals and francophone applicants receive special consideration at all grade levels depending on space, but are not guaranteed admission. The key entry point is preschool, with about 18 openings, and there are additional openings at prekindergarten and kindergarten. 6. Application timeline: application and supporting materials due by January 31 and February 15 respectively; decision notification by email by March 5; enrollment agreement and deposit due by March 15. 7. Apply Online via Ravenna hub.

Scholarships
Financial aid is available for families in need; returning FASRI families must reapply each year; financial aid applications are accepted for students in Kindergarten and above; funds may not cover all needs. FASRI uses FAST (Financial Aid for School Tuition) to process applications; FAST provides a need-based financial aid analysis and a recommended family contribution but does not decide whether aid will be given. All FAST information is confidential, and decisions are made by FASRI's Financial Aid Committee based on total need and available funds. Returning students receive aid notifications at re-enrollment (February 2026); new applicants receive aid notifications at admission. The 2026/27 financial aid deadlines are: returning families December 15, 2025; new applicant families January 31, 2026. For French citizens, Bourses Scolaires (French Government Scholarships) must be applied for through the French Consulate in Boston; the deadline is February 27, 2026 and applications are submitted to the Consulate, not to FASRI. Contact Raïssa Mensah, Director of Enrollment, with any questions. All information is kept confidential and subject to the availability of funds.
School Events
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