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L'Ecole Française du Maine

United States, South Freeport

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The school at a glance
Instructs in French, English
Fees $8,348 - 22,754
Ages 3 - 12 years
Pupil numbers 86
Type Co-educational
Opened 2002
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), French Curriculum, American Curriculum
Taught languages French, English
Typical class size 9
Strengths Languages, Outdoor Education, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Cultural and Language, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary
Introduction

EFDM is a nonprofit, bilingual school in South Freeport, Maine, offering a French-immersion program for children aged 3 to 12. The school operates as an IB World Primary Years Programme Candidate School and also aligns with the French Ministry of Education's Les Programmes and, where appropriate, the American curriculum. Students progress through three cycles: La Maternelle (Cycle 1), Cycle 2 (grades 1–3), and Cycle 3 (grades 4–5), with language immersion and cross-cycle concept continuity. In Cycle 2, students begin reading and writing in French and English, while Cycle 3 deepens study across subjects and technology. EFDM hosts La Maison Française du Maine nearby, which provides DELF/DALF exam prep, cultural events, and French-language classes. A rich arts program includes a Virtual Art Museum (Artsonia), chorus, and Suzuki-based music lessons, integrated within daily PE and outdoor education. Extended Day and bilingual summer camp extend learning beyond the school day for families nationwide.

99 S Freeport Rd, South Freeport, ME 04078, United States

The Essentials

L'Ecole Française du Maine has 86 pupils, typical class sizes of 9, instruction in French, English.

Location
99 South Freeport Road, South Freeport, Maine 04078, USA. The campus sits in the coastal village of South Freeport, surrounded by forests and near the seashore.

Stages
Early Childhood (La Maternelle) and Elementary (through Grade 5)

Type
French-immersion IB Primary Years Programme Candidate School

Pupil Nationality Mix
70 to 90 students annually representing over a dozen mother tongues

Country affiliation
France

School day structure
School hours 8:30 am–3:30 pm; Extended Day Care 3:30–5:30 pm
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Extended Day Care is available from 3:30 to 5:30 daily as a licensed childcare and preschool program offered year‑round; it is available at an additional cost with options for full-year prepaid, monthly enrollment, and emergency care as needed.

Governance and Ownership
The school is affiliated with Mission Laïque Française and the AEFE network; it is homologué by AEFE and the French Ministry of Education. The Maine Department of Education fully approves the school, Maine DHHS licenses Extended Day, and EFDM is an active member of AFSA and of the Association of French Schools in North America.
Fees

Annual tuition at L'Ecole Française du Maine ranges from USD 8,348 to USD 22,754 for 2026/27.

Application fee

- A non-refundable application fee of USD 50 is required with each application.

Enrollment deposit

- To reserve a place, a non-refundable enrollment deposit of USD 1,000 is due with the enrollment contract for all grades. It is due February 14 for returning students and April 1 for new students (or at time of acceptance if after these dates).

Annual tuition by year group (2026–2027 school year)

- EC3 (age 3) — Full day or mornings:
- 5 days/week: USD 18,921 (full day) or USD 15,582 (mornings only).
- 3 days/week: USD 16,139 (full day) or USD 12,800 (mornings only).
- 2 days/week: USD 11,687 (full day) or USD 8,348 (mornings only).

- EC4 (age 4) — Full day:
- 5 days/week: USD 18,921.
- 4 days/week: USD 17,252.

- Kindergarten — 5 full days/week: USD 20,034.

- Elementary Grades 1–4 — 5 full days/week: USD 21,704.

- Elementary Grades 5–6 — 5 full days/week: USD 22,754.

Payment schedules, billing schedule and payment terms

- The school offers these tuition payment plans through FACTS Tuition Management Services: single payment, two-payment, quarterly, and ten-month plans. Tuition for the school year is due by the dates set in the selected plan.

- Single Payment Plan: the full annual tuition is due in one payment by June 1; a 2% discount is applied for full-pay.

- Two Payment Plan: one-half of the tuition is due by June 1; the remaining half (plus a 2% extended payment fee) is due by December 1.

- Quarterly Payment Plan: payments are due on June 1, September 1, December 1, and March 1; a 3% extended payment fee is added to total tuition when selecting this plan.

- Ten-Month Payment Plan: ten monthly payments begin in May with the final payment in February; a 4% extended payment fee is added to total tuition when selecting this plan.

- Mid-year enrollment is accepted on a rolling basis; tuition is prorated by dividing the total annual tuition by ten and multiplying by the months of attendance. Any month started is billed in full.

Additional and optional fees

- Annual activity fee: USD 400, billed with the September tuition payment.

- Optional program fees: costs may be added for optional activities such as the Goldfish swim program, ski days at Sugarloaf, ice skating passes, the lunch program through the Village Market Café, yearbook purchase, and certain field trips or activities. Private Suzuki music lessons (piano, violin, cello, classical guitar) are available on-site and are payable directly to the teacher.

- Aftercare / Extended Day fees and options:
- Extended Day childcare runs from 3:30–5:30 PM and is available at additional cost. Full-year prepaid aftercare carries a 25% discounted rate for families who enroll for the entire school year. Monthly enrollment is available with advanced sign-up. Unplanned emergency aftercare is billed at USD 15 per hour (or part thereof) and is billed monthly.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not offered; the school operates as a day school with extended-day childcare options.

Refund information

- Specified non-refundable items: the USD 50 application fee and the USD 1,000 enrollment deposit are non-refundable. Mid-year tuition is prorated using the school's stated method (total tuition divided by ten, multiplied by months of attendance), with any month started billed in full. These items constitute the school's stated refund-related terms.

Fee payment methods and options

- All tuition payment plans and billing are administered through FACTS Tuition Management Services. FACTS supports automatic electronic debit from a checking or savings account (ACH) and credit/debit card payments; credit card transactions typically incur a convenience/processing fee as set by FACTS. Families enroll and manage payment plans through FACTS.

Other practical notes on fees

- Tuition totals vary by grade and by number of days enrolled per week for early childhood groups; families should confirm grade-specific tuition when budgeting. Optional programs and aftercare are billed in addition to base tuition.

(End of fees overview.)
Academics

L'Ecole Française du Maine teaches IB (PYP), French Curriculum, American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 12.

Curriculum
EFDM follows the French Ministry of Education's Les Programmes, organized into three cycles: Cycle 1 La Maternelle (Early Childhood/Kindergarten); Cycle 2 (grades 1–3); Cycle 3 (grades 4–5). The curriculum provides a seamless progression from early childhood through the primary years, with concepts connected across cycles. Some classes combine or split grades, and organization is determined by enrollment. Cycle 1 emphasizes language immersion and social development; Cycle 2 develops reading and writing in French and English, plus mathematics, science, and humanities; Cycle 3 deepens language skills and study across subjects, including technology. The school offers Advanced Middle and High School After School French Classes to maintain fluency and prepare for DELF exams.

Higher Education Progression
DELF Exams are offered; the program comprises six units and passing the last levels can grant access to French universities without taking additional proficiency tests. The school is an IB World School with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP).

Gifted and Talented
Advanced Middle and High School After School French Classes are offered for graduates and advanced French students to maintain fluency; classes are open to outside students; the program prepares students for DELF exams.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school fosters a climate of peace and understanding. It emphasizes transdisciplinary learning and real-world connections beyond the classroom. The student body is diverse, representing over a dozen mother tongues, which supports empathy and open-mindedness. Outdoor activities and nature-based learning complement academics and help students balance study with physical activity. The School Council includes parent representatives and staff and oversees school life, rules, enrichment programs, and safety, reinforcing a community-centered environment.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school teaches primarily in French. In Cycle 2, students begin reading and writing in both French and English, with skills developing across the cycle. In Cycle 3, English Language Arts becomes part of the curriculum, supporting continued bilingual development.

Mental Wellbeing
Outdoor activities and a balance between academic and physical activity are emphasized. A diverse, multilingual environment supports positive relationships, attitudes, and behaviors. The climate of peace and understanding is part of the school's culture, promoting empathy and intercultural understanding.

Safeguarding
A non-discrimination policy commits the school to a safe, inclusive environment. The School Council oversees safety and security and school-life matters, including rules and enrichment programs.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in May 2002, L'Ecole Française du Maine is a non-profit organization providing bilingual education for Maine residents. The founders sought to create a French learning experience for children from families with French-speaking heritage to pass on cultural heritage to the younger generation of English-speaking Mainers. The school emphasizes a strong educational program and aims to contribute to the revival of the French language in Maine. Graduates are described as ambassadors of peace, reflecting the school's mission. Willy LeBihan serves as the founder and head of school.

Community
EFDM describes itself as a close-knit community that acknowledges and celebrates diversity, with 70 to 90 students annually representing more than a dozen mother tongues. This diversity is a strength that supports a climate of peace and understanding in a connected world. The school is located in the South Freeport village, offering a setting that blends nature with academic life, and students engage in transdisciplinary learning across subjects and languages. Students also participate in outdoor activities in Maine, such as exploring Sugarloaf Mountain ski trails and Wolfe Neck Peninsulas, helping them learn through real-world experiences.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parents Association is a formal partnership between the parents of EFDM students and the school to support growth and development of both parents and students. Its mission is to foster an inclusive community and to help students think critically, act responsibly, and live virtuously and compassionately. It aims to strengthen relationships among parents, students, faculty, and administration and to encourage parental participation in school activities. Volunteering is organized through several committees, including class activities, communications, community relations, parent activities, parent education, and school services. There are volunteer roles that accommodate different levels of time and skills. The association maintains an events calendar listing activities and opportunities for involvement.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
99 South Freeport Road, South Freeport, ME 04078. La Maison Française du Maine is a restored Sears Chelsea Model house adjacent to EFDM, renovated in 2020, and hosts French classes, cultural events, music lessons, and a modern classroom for DELF/DALF prep. The music program is integrated with a choral program, music theory, and on-site private Suzuki lessons during the school day. The curriculum includes a Virtual Art Museum via Artsonia as part of student art sharing. Extended Day childcare is available daily from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., with summer camp and aftercare options.

Sports Facilities
Outdoor recreation space is provided on campus. Physical Education is included in the Elementary program. Bilingual Summer Camp includes athletic activities, including track and field events and Olympic Games weeks. Weeks focus on outdoor and nature-based activities during camp sessions around local areas.

Academic Facilities
La Maternelle has outdoor recreation space and a full-day program with total French immersion language. Elementary science includes hands-on experiences and field visits exploring ecosystems, human body, nutrition, and related concepts. The curriculum covers Mathematics, History and Geography, Sciences, Music (chorus, theory, history), Physical Education, Visual Arts, English Language Arts, and instrumental music. Art is integrated into learning, including a Virtual Art Museum (Artsonia).

Extra Curricular Facilities
La Maison Française du Maine hosts French classes, cultural events, music lessons, and DELF/DALF exam preparation in a modern, fully equipped classroom. The music program includes a choir and instrumental lessons on-site. Extended Day provides after-school childcare from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Bilingual Summer Camp (June 22–August 21, 2026) offers French immersion with daily activities, arts & crafts, games, and themed weeks, with aftercare options. Art sharing is facilitated through Artsonia (Virtual Art Museum).
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
EFDM is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme. The French Ministry of Education curriculum is organized into three cycles: La Maternelle (Early Childhood), Cycle 2 (grades 1–3), and Cycle 3 (grades 4–5). The program emphasizes inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning and develops students as inquirers, thinkers, and communicators. In Cycle 2, students begin to read and write in both French and English, enabling confident bilingual communication.

Arts & Creative
Arts education is a fundamental part of the curriculum. Visual arts, music, and theatre are vital components of the elementary program. In Early Childhood, Music Education uses the Suzuki Method and Music Together, with on-site private lessons via the Maine Suzuki Association and on-site Music Together sessions. Visual Arts are taught through hands-on projects and are integrated with core subjects.

Cultural & Language
La Maison Française du Maine promotes French language and culture through classes, cultural events, and DELF/DALF exam preparation; It is the Maine testing center for DELF/DALF. Ciné-Club and Adult Education classes are part of EFDM's community offerings. La Francophonie dans le Maine highlights EFDM's role in promoting French language and culture in Maine.

Social & Hobbies
Ciné-Club and Adult Education classes provide social and hobby opportunities for the community. La Maison Française du Maine hosts cultural events, music lessons, and DELF/DALF exam preparation, supporting language-based hobbies and cultural interests. La Francophonie dans le Maine describes community engagement and French-language heritage activities connected to EFDM.

Community & Service
The School Council (Le Conseil d'Ecole) comprises the school director, all teachers, the Inspecteur de l'Education Nationale (IEN), and four parent representatives; the Council votes on school rules, addresses questions about school life, develops after-school and enrichment programs, and organizes sports and cultural activities. The school also involves parents through a Parents Association.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership in the EFDM community is exercised through the School Council, which shapes school life and enrichment programming. The Council's responsibilities include voting on rules, developing after-school and enrichment activities, and organizing sports and cultural programs.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Daily physical education and use of the outdoor campus are central to learning, with a focus on exercise and gross-motor development. Activities such as yoga and dance are part of physical education. The Early Childhood program also includes a YMCA swim program, and Extended Day offers after-school childcare from 3:30–5:30 daily.
Languages

Language Provision
French is the language of instruction throughout the core program. The school promotes multilingualism and notes that learning French can enhance English language skills. The learning environment emphasizes immersion in the French language to foster cultural understanding.

Bilingual Teaching
EFDM provides bilingual education in close partnership with Mission Laïque Française. The school offers an educational experience entirely in French and emphasizes bilingual, multicultural education through immersion in the French language. The curriculum is accredited by AEFE and the French Ministry of Education. EFDM is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP).

Immersion Programs
Les Programmes, the French Immersion Curriculum, provides education from early childhood through primary school. The program uses immersive instruction in French to connect concepts across subjects and languages. The school is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme.
Reputation

Awards
null

Accreditations
The school is the only accredited French Immersion IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) school north of New York City. It is located in the coastal village of South Freeport, Maine. 70 to 90 students attend annually, representing more than a dozen native languages. The school was established in 2002 and serves as a bilingual community that supports multilingual learning. EFDM is an IB World School (PYP) and is homologué by AEFE and the French Ministry of Education. It partners with Mission Laïque Française (MLF), AEFE/FISNA, AFSA, and is an Active Member of the Association of French Schools in North America and French International Schools in North America. The Maine Department of Education approves the school, and Maine DHHS/CDC fully licenses Child Care and Extended Care. The French curriculum and the Maine Learning Results are combined to allow students to transition into any school in Maine and abroad. French nationals registered with the Consulate in Boston may qualify for tuition assistance from the Government of France, with the application requiring early filing of U.S. tax returns.
Admissions

Admissions
Enrollment is open to any child aged three and up. Priority is given first to re-enrolling children, then to siblings of children enrolled, and then to the waiting list. If neither priority applies, applicants are placed on the waiting list. Begin the online application by creating an account. Upon account creation, you will receive an email containing a verification link. After your email address is verified, log in to your account and create a New Student Application for your child. You can log in and out of your account and access your open application. A non-refundable fee of $50 must accompany each application. After submitting the application, you will be able to track your admissions status by logging in to your account. You can print the completed application, monitor when the school receives any supplemental forms, and reprint forms if necessary. If you desire more information, you may request it and the Admissions Office will contact you. Consider scheduling a visit to meet the school community. For questions, contact the Admissions Office at (207) 865-3308.

Scholarships
EFDM offers need-based tuition assistance. To be considered for financial aid for the upcoming school year, families must submit a complete application by January 31, and financial aid decisions will be communicated by March 31. Applications submitted after the deadline may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, subject to available funds. The FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment platform is used to assess a family's ability to contribute toward educational expenses, and final financial aid awards are based on a holistic review of the FACTS estimate, the school's budget, policies and priorities, and the needs of the full applicant pool. Direct Scholarship Support is available. For French nationals registered at the Consulate in Boston, tuition assistance from the Government of France may be available, with early filing of US tax returns and form 1040; up to 100% of tuition fees may be possible in some cases.

Waitlist
A waiting list is used after priority is applied. Re-enrolling students and siblings are prioritized before others, and remaining applicants may be placed on the waiting list.
School Events
The school has not added events
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