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French American School of Silicon Valley - Lower Campus

United States, Sunnyvale

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The school at a glance
Instructs in French, English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 13 years
Pupil numbers 166
Type Co-educational
Opened 1992
Bus Service No
Part of
French American School of Silicon Valley
Academic offering
Curriculum French Curriculum, American Curriculum
Taught languages Mandarin
Typical class size 10
Strengths Languages, Visual and Creative Arts, Sport
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary
Introduction

French American School of Silicon Valley offers a dual French‑American curriculum across two campuses, guiding preschool through middle school with instruction in French and English. From Maternelle onward, students learn with a 50/50 language balance, while literacy is built in English with Heggerty and UFLI phonics and in French through immersive phonemic work. In Elementary, mathematics is taught in both languages, using the French Ministry of Education framework alongside the California Common Core, and students participate in French National Evaluations (Grades 1–8) and MAP/i‑Ready assessments in English. Middle School expanded in 2022 with the Cycle 4 French program plus the CA language and math curricula. Founded in 1992 by Francophiles, the school serves more than 45 nationalities across two campuses: Lower Campus, Sunnyvale, and Upper Campus, Santa Clara. Accredited by the French Ministry of Education and CAIS, with affiliations to CLTA, NAIS, and the MLF network, it offers after‑school activities across arts, language, and sports.

This campus is part of French American School of Silicon Valley

1522 Lewiston Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94087, United States

The Essentials

French American School of Silicon Valley - Lower Campus has 166 pupils, typical class sizes of 10, instruction in French, English.

Location
The French American School of Silicon Valley operates on two campuses in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Lower Campus is at 1522 Lewiston Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. The Upper Campus is at 220 Blake Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95051. The campuses serve preschool through 8th grade in a bilingual program.

Stages
Preschool, Elementary, and Middle School. Preschool begins at 2.5 years (Maternelle); Elementary runs from Preschool through Grade 5, and Middle School began in 2022 with an Upper Campus in Santa Clara and the first 8th-grade class in 2024.

Additional learning support
Differentiated curriculum supports individual learning needs.

Country affiliation
Affiliated with France through accreditation by the Ministère Français de l'Éducation Nationale.

School day structure
School days run Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Morning Welcome is from 8:00 am to 8:30 am. The School Day runs from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, with dismissal from 3:30 pm to 3:45 pm and After School programming from 3:45 pm to 6:00 pm.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
FASSV provides pre-ordered catered hot lunches via Taste Nutrition Services with customized, nutritious options; orders can be placed daily, weekly, or monthly with no minimum. Preschool and Pre-K students receive morning fruit snacks prepared by Taste Nutrition, and an afternoon dry snack such as whole-grain crackers.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Board of Directors; board members are appointed by invitation based on needed skills and community involvement. It operates on two campuses: Lower Campus in Sunnyvale and Upper Campus in Santa Clara.
Fees
Application and Admission Fees

- Application fee: USD 90 (non‑refundable). Payment for the application fee is accepted via PayPal (accounting@fassv.org).
- Enrollment deposit (new students): USD 2,500 (non‑refundable). This enrollment deposit includes a one‑time registration fee of USD 1,500 and a USD 1,000 tuition deposit per child. The enrollment deposit is payable by PayPal (accounting@fassv.org).

2026–2027 Tuition (annual and per‑term information)

- Annual tuition for the 2026–2027 school year: USD 30,742.
- Additional one‑time fee for new students (registration): USD 1,500 (applies to new enrollments).
- Tuition billing structure and common breakdowns:
- Tuition is billed on an annual basis and may be paid using one of the school's payment plans (see Billing schedule and payment terms).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Payment plan options and timing:
- One payment: single payment due in June.
- Two payments (deadline to elect: April 1): 1st payment due in June; 2nd payment due in January. An additional service fee of USD 490 applies to the two‑payment plan.
- Ten payments (deadline to elect: August 31): 1st payment due in June; then nine equal payments due on the 6th of each month from September through May. An additional service fee of USD 795 applies to the ten‑payment plan.
- Enrollment timing: acceptance notifications and enrollment contracts are issued at enrollment; the enrollment deposit is required with the signed enrollment contract to secure a space.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable; the school operates as a day school serving Preschool through Grade 8. No boarding fees apply.

Other costs and routine additional fees

- Hot lunch and snacks: catered hot lunch is available and ordered separately through the school's lunch provider; preschool students receive morning and afternoon snacks as described by the school's snack/hot‑lunch program. Lunch and snack provisions are billed/paid separately from tuition.
- After‑school programs, study hall, extra‑curricular activities, mini‑camps and summer camp: these programs are available and typically carry separate fees; they are billed independently of annual tuition.
- School supplies and optional branded apparel: routine school supplies and any optional branded items or apparel are the responsibility of families and are handled outside the annual tuition charge.

Refund information

- Application fee (USD 90) is non‑refundable.
- Enrollment deposit (USD 2,500) is non‑refundable; the deposit includes the registration fee and the tuition deposit portion noted above.

Fee payment options and processing

- Application and enrollment deposit payments: accepted via PayPal at accounting@fassv.org.
- Tuition payment plans: the school uses established tuition‑billing and payment plan services for scheduled payments (one, two, or ten installments). Service fees apply to multi‑payment options as noted above.

(End of fees overview.)
Academics

French American School of Silicon Valley - Lower Campus teaches French Curriculum, American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 13.

Curriculum
The school uses a dual-curriculum approach blending the French Ministry of Education with the California Common Core Standards. From preschool onward, instruction is delivered in both French and English, with a 50/50 language balance in Maternelle. Literacy is built through Heggerty and UFLI phonemic and phonics instruction in English and immersive language phonics and phonemic awareness in French. In Elementary, mathematics is taught in both languages, using i‑Ready in English alongside the French Ministry of Education math curriculum, and students participate in French National Evaluations (Grades 1–8) and MAP/i‑Ready assessments in English. Middle School expanded in fall 2022, with the first 8th-grade class opening in 2024, and offers the Cycle 4 French program plus the California Common Core language and math curricula.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school fosters empathy, resilience, and global citizenship through its close-knit community and bilingual program. The bilingual vision emphasizes that students thrive academically and personally in an environment built on critical thinking, respect, and lifelong learning.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English and French are used in daily instruction, with early English literacy supported by Heggerty and UFLI and French literacy developed through immersive instruction.
Parent Experience

History
The school was founded in 1992 by a group of Francophiles who recognized the need for a bilingual French American school in Silicon Valley. The first Board of Directors included M. Jean-Louis Gassée, M. Georges Halpern, M. Alain Labat, M. Hervé le Mansec, M. Claude Nédérovique, Ms. Colette Siegel, and M. Jean-Claude Zambelli. The school opened in September 1992 with seven students and grew to two campuses, the Lower Campus in Sunnyvale for Preschool to 3rd grade and the Upper Campus in Santa Clara for 4th to 8th grade. It represents more than 45 nationalities and is part of a global network of 522 schools in 139 countries; it is accredited by the French Ministry of Education and by CAIS, and it is a member of CLTA, NAIS and the MLF network.

Community
More than 45 nationalities are represented in the student body, creating a rich cultural community that is celebrated. The school operates on two campuses in Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, serving preschool through 8th grade and connecting families across locations. It is part of a global network of international schools and emphasizes universal values such as tolerance, intellectual curiosity, and critical thinking, reinforcing its international role while rooted in the Silicon Valley community.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTA is a group of 100% volunteer parents. The PTA helps build a sense of community among parents, teachers, and students through social events, family activities, and collaborative projects that strengthen the school culture. Some of the events organized by the PTA include Halloween Parade, Winter Market, Holiday Show for all classes, International Week Buffet, Book fairs, Rummage Sale, and Kermesse. To contact the PTA, email pta@fassv.org.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Two campuses: Lower Campus at 1522 Lewiston Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94087, serving Preschool through 3rd grade; Upper Campus at 220 Blake Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95051, serving 4th through 8th grade. The day runs 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, with an after-school program from 3:45 pm to 6:00 pm. Maternelle welcomes children as young as 2.5 years old with a bilingual model delivering 50% French and 50% English. Lunch is catered by Taste Nutrition Services, and snacks are provided twice daily for Preschool and Pre-K. The school community represents more than 45 nationalities.

Extra Curricular Facilities
All grades have opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities during the week, typically from 3:45 to 4:45 pm. Activities are offered for Preschool and Pre-K as well as Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school has after-school extra-curricular activities available to all grades. All activities typically occur after the regular day, from about 3:45 to 4:45 pm. Offerings include Chess, Challenge Island, Kodely: Building Blocks of Coding, Cooking, and other programs that develop critical thinking and collaboration. The schedule organizes activities by grade bands: Kindergarten & 1st Grade, 2nd–3rd Grade, and 4th–6th Grade.

Arts & Creative
The school has Art-related after-school activities, including Art A, Art B, Ceramics, Acrylics, and Theatre. Art A and Art B emphasize creative expression and hands-on making; Ceramics and Acrylics focus on clay work and painting. These offerings align with multiple grades according to the published activity booklet.

Cultural & Language
The school has Spanish and French language after-school activities. Spanish sessions cover Pre-School through 6th Grade across multiple classes, while French Book Club is offered for younger students. Spanish uses games, crafts, music, and cultural songs to build vocabulary; French Book Club supports reading and language practice.

Social & Hobbies
The school has a broad range of after-school clubs including Basketball, Soccer, Running Club, Yoga, Zumba, Chess, Cooking, and Theatre. Basketball, Soccer and other sports are offered at multiple levels to match different ages. These activities run after the school day and emphasize teamwork, skill development, and physical activity.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school has yoga and Zumba as wellness-focused activities. Soccer and Basketball promote physical health and motor skills. The after-school program supports a balanced, active lifestyle for students.
Languages

Language Provision
English and French are the core bilingual languages of instruction. The school uses an integrated curriculum that blends the French Ministry of Education with the California Common Core. Mandarin is offered starting in Kindergarten, with forty-five minutes per week ofMandarin instruction. A Lunar New Year performance is part of the Mandarin program, which includes stories, songs, role-play, vocabulary practice, and art projects.

Bilingual Teaching
The school teaches in both French and English, with a bilingual approach woven into the curriculum. The integrated curriculum draws from the French Ministry of Education and the California Common Core. Students think, inquire, and create in both languages, building literacy and conceptual understanding. English literacy is developed with Heggerty, UFLI, and Fishtank Learning, while French instruction develops deep comprehension, grammatical mastery, and eloquence.
Admissions

Admissions
The French American School of Silicon Valley offers a 50/50 bilingual program that combines the French Ministry of Education curriculum with the California Common Core, with instruction in both French and English. Beginning in preschool, students are immersed in a balanced bilingual model with 50% of instruction in French and 50% in English. Your child does not need to speak French before first grade, as immersion supports bilingual development. The school is fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education from Preschool through 5th grade and receives ongoing support from AEFE and Mission Laïque Française. The academic program uses a blend of French and American standards, with access to French National Evaluations and NWEA MAP/i‑Ready assessments. Admissions tours are offered weekly; you can apply online, and the Director of Admissions will guide you through the process after you submit materials. The Lower Campus is at 1522 Lewiston Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94087, and the Upper Campus is at 220 Blake Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95051. Tuition information for the 2026-2027 school year lists 2026-2027 tuition at $30,742 and a one-time new student fee of $1,500. Financial aid is available, including French Government scholarships and FASSV School Aid, with deadlines and a needs-based review process. Financial aid decisions are made independently from admissions decisions; the school uses SSS by NAIS to assess financial need.

Scholarships
Financial aid includes French Government Scholarships for eligible French families through the French Consulate of San Francisco; renewal deadlines are February for families already in the U.S. and September for families arriving after February, with the consulate's guidance used to estimate potential scholarship levels. FASSV also offers its own School Aid program for current students, with a December 31 deadline; NAIS's School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) is used to determine need, and the process remains confidential. Scholarship decisions are made independently from admissions decisions.
School Events
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