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Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum
Taught languages French, English
Strengths Sport, Languages, Performing Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary
Introduction
Located at 5510 Munford Road, Raleigh, L'école - French International School of Raleigh offers bilingual French–English instruction for preschool through elementary. It has been accredited since June 2024 by the French Ministry of Education and AEFE. It is the only French full-immersion preschool and bilingual elementary program in the state. Preschool follows the official French Education curriculum for Maternelle, organized around five axes: Appropriation of Language; First Mathematical Tools; Physical Activity; Artistic Activities; Discovering World. Oral language development is prioritized, with a life notebook linking home and school. Elementary blends the French Education Nationale framework (75% French, 25% English) with the North Carolina Common Core, across five domains. The school day runs 8:30 am–3:00 pm, with childcare and after-school care. Facilities include a library with English and French books, a gym, and a playground. Plans exist to expand toward a Lycée. Extracurriculars include Yoga, Chess, Music, Arithmetic, Soccer, and Jiu-Jitsu.
L'école - French International School of Raleigh has 49 pupils, instruction in French, English.
Location
Located at 5510 Munford Road, Raleigh, NC 27612. The school is in Raleigh, North Carolina. The contact number is (919) 790-1219 and email is administration@lecole-fisr.org.
Stages
Preschool (TPS-1, our 2-year-old class). The school also offers a French-English bilingual Kindergarten and an Elementary School through 5th grade.
Type
French international school offering bilingual French-English instruction; accredited since June 2024 through the French Ministry of Education and AEFE (French Agency for the Teaching of French Abroad).
Country affiliation
France
School day structure
Elementary hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Preschool hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Before-care runs 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.; after-care runs 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Fees
Annual tuition at L'école - French International School of Raleigh ranges from USD 8,675 to USD 14,933 for 2026/27.
Application / Registration Fees
- Registration fee for the school year: USD 495 per child. This registration fee is non-refundable and must be paid at the time of registration. - FLAM / FLE class registration (2025–2026): USD 95 per child (non-refundable) for the year. - Summer camp registration for students outside the school (non-refundable): USD 60.
Tuition — Preschool (annual amounts and installment equivalent) — 2026–2027
The school publishes annual tuition by schedule (half-day / full-day) and days-per-week. Parents may pay annually in full or in ten equal installments; the per-installment amounts below reflect the annual fee divided by ten.
- Preschool — Half-day (annual / per 10 installments): - 3 days/week: USD 7,022 per year — installment: USD 702.20. - 4 days/week: USD 8,675 per year — installment: USD 867.50. - 5 days/week: USD 10,330 per year — installment: USD 1,033.00.
- Preschool — Full-day (annual / per 10 installments): - 3 days/week: USD 9,946 per year — installment: USD 994.60. - 4 days/week: USD 12,287 per year — installment: USD 1,228.70. - 5 days/week: USD 14,628 per year — installment: USD 1,462.80.
Tuition — Elementary (K through 5th) — 2026–2027
- Yearly tuition (elementary): USD 14,933 per year. Per 10-installment payment: USD 1,493.30 per installment.
Other program fees and hourly rates
- FLAM / FLE private tutoring rates (2025–2026): Private USD 50/hour; two students USD 26/hour; three or more students USD 23/hour. Session rate: USD 220 per 10-week session + USD 50 registration fee for the first session; 5% sibling discount for these classes. - Summer camp weekly rates (camp tuitions): Half-day USD 280/week; Full-day USD 350/week; Aftercare USD 100/week; Supplies fee USD 40/week.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Regular school tuition payment options: tuition may be paid in full at once or in ten equal installments. - Summer camp payment schedule: 50% of the total camp tuition is due at registration; the remaining 50% is due on May 30. Cancellation policy for camps: 80% refund for cancellation before May 1; no refund after May 1. - Sibling discount: a 5% tuition discount is available for siblings of current students.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable; no boarding fees are published for this school.
Other costs and incidental fees
- Aftercare (camp) fee: USD 100/week (see camp rates above). - Camp supplies fee: USD 40/week (camp-specific). - No separate uniform fee or an annual school-wide textbook fee is published in the tuition and admissions information.
Refunds and cancellation
- Registration fees (school and FLAM/FLE) are stated as non-refundable. - Camp cancellations: 80% refund if cancelled before May 1; no refund after May 1. - No general school-year tuition refund or withdrawal schedule beyond the registration-fee and camp cancellation details is published in the tuition and admissions materials.
Fee payment methods and contact for billing
- The published materials list tuition-payment options (pay in full or ten equal installments) but do not specify accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, etc.) in the tuition summary. For billing or payment-method details, the school's administration contact is provided: administration@lecole-fisr.org.
Scholarships and financial assistance
- The school participates in the NC Opportunity Scholarship Program; families may apply and awards can be up to USD 7,000 per child. The school also administers an internal Elizabeth King Scholarship Fund. Sibling discounts (5%) are also available.
Brief note on published detail and limits found
- The published information provides annual tuition amounts and the option to pay in ten equal installments. A per-term (for example semester or trimester) breakdown of school-year tuition is not published; similarly, a general tuition refund/withdrawal schedule for the regular school year (outside of camp cancellation and registration non-refundable statements) is not published in the available admissions materials.
Academics
L'école - French International School of Raleigh teaches American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum for students aged 1 to 12.
Curriculum
The school offers bilingual instruction in French and English across Preschool and Elementary. Preschool uses the official French Education curriculum for Maternelle (215 5 years) and adapts it for students with varying levels of French, organized around five axes: Appropriation of Language; The First Mathematical Tools; Physical Activity; Artistic Activities; Discovering the World. The oral language is the main focus and students keep a life notebook to document activities and connect with their families. Elementary School provides a program that is 75% French and 25% English, combining the French Education Nationale framework with the North Carolina Common Core. The elementary curriculum centers on five domains: Languages for thinking and communicating; Methods and tools for learning; Training of the person and the citizen; Natural systems and technical systems; Representations of the world and human activity. CP, CE1, and CE2 constitute Cycle 2, the cycle of fundamental learning. The school day runs from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, with morning childcare and after-school care available.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school includes student wellbeing and social and emotional learning as part of the program.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school teaches 60% in French and 40% in English; some subjects are taught in both languages.
Mental Wellbeing
The school addresses student wellbeing as part of the program, including social and emotional learning.
Admissions
Admissions
1. The school is the only French preschool and French-English bilingual kindergarten and elementary school in North Carolina. The elementary program opened in 2021 and has been accredited since June 2024 through the French Ministry of Education and AEFE. The school plans to expand to Lycée and offers in-person tours by appointment.
2. From preschool through fifth grade, classes are taught 60% in French and 40% in English. The curriculum combines the rigor of the French Education Nationale curriculum with the dynamism of the North Carolina standards, aiming to develop proficiency across languages and core skills. The program covers languages for thinking and communicating, methods and tools for learning, moral and civic education, and other key areas.
3. Tuition and fees include a non-refundable registration fee of $495 per child. Yearly tuition is $14,933, with options to pay in full or in ten installments. Siblings of current students receive a 5% tuition discount and admissions priority; all applicants must complete the full admissions process. Preschool offers specific schedules and rates listed under Tuition.
4. The priority application deadline is in March, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis to help secure space. Tours are offered one family at a time, and families are encouraged to download the brochure to learn more about the program. For questions, families may contact the school administration.
5. The school offers scholarships and tuition assistance. The Elizabeth King Scholarship Fund supports students in memory of a beloved teacher. The school participates in the NC Opportunity Scholarship Program, and French parents may apply for a scholarship through the French Education System. Details and forms are provided by the administration.
6. Language requirements for admission: Does not require French for preschool; beginning in Kindergarten, some French is required; by 1st grade, most students are conversant in French, with immersion continuing across grades. Beginning in Kindergarten through 5th grade, classes are taught in a bilingual model, helping students develop proficiency in both languages.
Scholarships
- NC Opportunity Scholarship Program: The school participates in this program and scholarships may be awarded up to about $7,000 per child. All families enrolling may apply, regardless of income.
- Elizabeth King Scholarship Fund: Established in memory of Elizabeth King, the school has directed contributions to this fund to support students; five children have benefited from a total contribution of $51,560, with the fund representing a portion of overall support. The school will explain the process and provide the necessary forms.
- French Education System scholarship: French parents may apply for a scholarship through the French Education System to support families attending schools that follow the Education Nationale curriculum. To apply, email the director to receive the application form.
For more details, see the Scholarships page on the site and contact administration for guidance.
FAQs
Where is L'école - French International School of Raleigh located, and how can I contact them?
The school is at 5510 Munford Road, Raleigh, NC 27612. You can reach the administration at (919) 790-1219 or by email at administration@lecole-fisr.org.
What grades and age groups does the school serve, and what is the basic daily schedule?
L'école offers Preschool (including a 18‑month Reception class and other early years) and Elementary through 5th grade. The school day runs from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, with before‑care from 7:30 am and after‑care until 6:00 pm.
What type of school is L'école, and who leads it?
L'école is a co‑educational French international school offering bilingual instruction in French and English. It is a non‑profit organization governed by a Board of Directors and a School Council, led by Executive Director Marie‑Claire Ribeill.
When did the school open and what accreditations does it hold?
The school opened in 2009. It is accredited by the French Ministry of Education and AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) since June 2024.
Is the school the only French preschool and bilingual K–5 in North Carolina?
Yes. L'école is the only French preschool and French‑English bilingual Kindergarten through 5th grade school in North Carolina.
How is tuition structured, and what payment options are available for families?
Tuition is published annually; families may pay in full or in ten equal installments. For 2026–2027, Preschool and Elementary tuition are listed by program, with Preschool half‑day/full‑day and 3–5 days/week options and Elementary at 14,933 USD per year.
What are the non‑tuition fees I should expect at enrollment?
There is a non‑refundable registration fee of 495 USD per child. There are additional non‑refundable fees for FLAM/FLE classes (95 USD per child) and a summer camp registration fee of 60 USD.
Are there scholarships or financial aid options available?
Yes. The NC Opportunity Scholarship Program may provide up to about 7,000 USD per child. The school also administers the Elizabeth King Scholarship Fund and offers a French Education System scholarship pathway; a 5% sibling discount is available.
What is the admissions process like, and are tours available?
Admissions prioritize applications with a March deadline, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. In-person tours are available by appointment, and families can request information from the administration.
What is the general language approach in the curriculum across Preschool and Elementary?
L'école uses a bilingual French–English model. Preschool follows the official French Education curriculum with strong oral language development, while Elementary combines French and English instruction to support bilingual proficiency.
How is language taught across the grades, and who teaches English?
From preschool through 5th grade, instruction is delivered in French and English, with English taught by native English teachers and aligned to North Carolina standards. Some subjects are taught in both languages to support bilingual learning.
What are the core curricular domains in Preschool and in Elementary?
Preschool focuses on five axes: Appropriation of Language; The First Mathematical Tools; Physical Activity; Artistic Activities; Discovering the World (with a life notebook). Elementary centers on five domains: Languages for thinking and communicating; Methods and tools for learning; Training of the person and the citizen; Natural and technical systems; Representations of the world and human activity.
What is the daily schedule for preschool versus elementary students?
Preschool sessions run 8:30 am–12:30 pm (half‑day) or 8:30 am–3:00 pm (full‑day). Elementary classes follow a 8:30 am–3:00 pm day, with access to morning childcare and after‑school care.
What is the student‑teacher ratio or class size?
Specific student‑teacher ratio and class size figures are not provided in the available information.
What facilities are available on campus for academics and recreation?
The campus includes a library with English and French books, a gym with modern equipment, and an outdoor playground. Digital tools such as cameras, tablets, and computers are used in learning.
What facilities support preschool learning and care?
Preschool has four classrooms—Accueil (18‑month olds), TPS2 (3‑year‑olds), PS (older 3–4), and MS (4–5)—with morning childcare (7:30–8:30) and after‑care (3:00–6:00).
What extracurricular facilities and clubs are offered?
The school offers clubs such as Yoga, Chess, Music, Arithmetic, Soccer, and Jiu‑Jitsu, with openings after school from 3:00 to 4:00 pm.
What kinds of clubs or activities exist beyond academics?
Beyond the classroom, students can participate in clubs and activities that support bilingual development and social engagement, including arts and physical education through the listed clubs.
How does the school support leadership and community involvement?
The school emphasizes leadership and a strong community culture within its non‑profit governance framework; there is a PTA that supports activities and community events (specific programs are not detailed).
What wellbeing or pastoral support is available for students?
The school includes social and emotional learning as part of the program and addresses student wellbeing as part of its holistic approach.
