French American School of Rhode Island

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

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

Independent bilingual day school.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.