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North Seattle French School

United States, Seattle

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The school at a glance
Instructs in French, English
Fees $23,020
Ages 3 - 10 years
Pupil numbers 104
Type Co-educational
Opened 2013
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum French Curriculum, American Curriculum, Singapore Curriculum
Taught languages French, English
Typical class size 6
Strengths Languages, STEM, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Elementary
Introduction

North Seattle French School (NSFS) is a private bilingual elementary program for ages 3–10 that blends the French curriculum with American standards and the Singapore Math method. Affiliated with Mission Laique Française (MLF), NSFS teaches preschool through 5th grade in two languages, with instruction primarily in French in the early years and a 50/50 English–French balance in 4th and 5th grades. The bilingual curriculum maps Washington State Common Core standards to the French curriculum, enabling bi-literacy and a smooth transition to either a French school or the local middle school. The program emphasizes speaking, reading, writing, thinking, creative projects, and social-emotional learning across both languages. English and French teachers co‑teach daily, supported by regular language-department collaboration. Opened in 2013, the school is located at 18560 1st Ave NE, Wing F, Shoreline Center, Shoreline, WA, with on-site turf fields, a gym, a stadium, and a bus service. The NSFS GLOBE after-school program offers clubs in arts, STEM, and more.

18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155, United States

The Essentials

North Seattle French School has 104 pupils, typical class sizes of 6, instruction in French, English.

Location
18560 1st Ave NE, Wing F, Shoreline, WA 98155, United States. The campus is in the Shoreline neighborhood within the Seattle metropolitan area. A private bus connects the Shoreline campus to Seattle, with routes to Green Lake and Phinney Ridge; pickup around 8:00 a.m. and drop-off around 5:35 p.m.; seats are first-come, first-served and bus enrollment is separate from after-school care.

Stages
La Maternelle: Preschool, PreK and Kindergarten; L'Élémentaire: Grades 1–5.

Type
Private bilingual school with French immersion for preschool through 5th grade.

Pupil Nationality Mix
International pupil mix with families from many countries and languages.

Additional learning support
A Learning Specialist provides differentiated instruction and supports individual learning needs.

Country affiliation
Affiliated with Mission Laïque Française (MLF) network.

Religious affiliation
Secular.

School day structure
Maternelle runs 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (half-day) or 8:30 a.m.–3:15 p.m. (full-day); Kindergarten runs 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Elementary runs 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; After-school GLOBE runs 3:30–5:00 p.m.

Bus service
Private 9-seat bus runs between Shoreline campus and Green Lake and Phinney Ridge in Seattle; pickup around 8:00 a.m. and drop-off around 5:35 p.m.; seats allocated on a first-come, first-served basis; bus enrollment is separate from GLOBE.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
GLOBE after-school program (Childcare, Leisure and bilingual enrichment) runs 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The school operates a private 9-seat bus that travels between the Shoreline campus and Seattle routes to Green Lake and Phinney Ridge. Morning pickup is around 8:00 a.m. and drop-off is around 5:35 p.m. Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Bus registration is separate from GLOBE. For more information, admissions@northseattlefrenchschool.com.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Executive Committee includes a Board Chair, a Vice Chair, a Finance Chair, and a Secretary.
Fees

Annual tuition at North Seattle French School ranges from USD 23,020 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- Application fee: USD 90 per child. This application fee is non‑refundable and may be paid online via Stripe (card) or by check.

Tuition fees by program (2026–2027 school year)

- Half‑day Preschool (Petite section & Moyenne section): USD 14,480 per year. Program hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. A 10% deposit of the annual tuition is due at enrollment (USD 1,448). Remaining balance after deposit: USD 13,032. Payment plan examples below show how that remaining balance is billed under each plan option. Included in tuition: all field trips (except the overnight 5th grade trip), books, and classroom supplies.

- Full‑day Preschool (Petite section & Moyenne section): USD 23,020 per year. Program hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. A 10% deposit of the annual tuition is due at enrollment (USD 2,302). Remaining balance after deposit: USD 20,718. Included in tuition: all field trips (except the overnight 5th grade trip), books, and classroom supplies.

- Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th grade): USD 23,020 per year. School hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. A 10% deposit of the annual tuition is due at enrollment (USD 2,302). Remaining balance after deposit: USD 20,718. Included in tuition: all field trips (except the overnight 5th grade trip), books, and classroom supplies.

Per‑installment figures by payment plan (examples based on the required 10% deposit and the published annual tuition amounts)

- Deposit due at enrollment (10% of tuition):
- Half‑day Preschool: USD 1,448.
- Full‑day Preschool: USD 2,302.
- Elementary (K–5): USD 2,302.

- Plan A — One‑time payment of the remaining balance (applies after deposit): a single remaining payment is made and a USD 100 discount is applied to that remaining balance. Example amounts after the 10% deposit and before the USD 100 discount: Half‑day remaining balance USD 13,032; Full‑day/Elementary remaining balance USD 20,718. The USD 100 discount is applied for the one‑time payment option.

- Plan B — Three installments: remaining balance split into three payments billed in August, November, and February. Example installment amounts (remaining balance ÷ 3):
- Half‑day Preschool: USD 4,344 per installment.
- Full‑day Preschool: USD 6,906 per installment.
- Elementary (K–5): USD 6,906 per installment.

- Plan C — Nine monthly installments: remaining balance billed in nine equal monthly payments from August through April. Example monthly amounts (remaining balance ÷ 9):
- Half‑day Preschool: USD 1,448 per month.
- Full‑day Preschool: USD 2,302 per month.
- Elementary (K–5): USD 2,302 per month.

Fees & discounts

- Application fee: USD 90 per child (non‑refundable).
- New Family Fee: USD 500 one‑time payment for families new to the school; this fee and the deposit are due at the time of enrollment.
- Sibling discount: younger siblings receive a 10% tuition discount.
- Included in tuition: all field trips except the overnight 5th grade trip, books, and classroom supplies.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The non‑refundable deposit equal to 10% of the annual tuition and the New Family Fee are due at the time of enrollment to secure a student's place. Remaining tuition is payable according to the family's selected plan (Plan A, B, or C). Plan B payments are scheduled for August, November, and February; Plan C payments run monthly from August through April. A USD 100 discount is offered for families choosing the one‑time payment option. Families should expect annual tuition announcements in January and routine tuition increases from year to year.

Boarding fees

- North Seattle French School is a day preschool and elementary (K–5) program and does not operate a boarding program; boarding fees are not applicable. School hours and program types are published for preschool and elementary day programs.

Other costs and optional programs

- New Family Fee: USD 500 (one‑time).
- After‑school GLOBE program (optional) and a private school bus service operating between the Shoreline campus and areas in Seattle are offered; these programs are arranged and billed separately from base tuition. Specific fees for the after‑school program and bus service are charged in addition to tuition.

Refund information

- The application fee (USD 90 per child) is non‑refundable. The deposit equal to 10% of annual tuition is non‑refundable and is required to secure enrollment. Other refund terms for tuition or additional program fees are governed by the school's enrollment and billing policies.

Fee payment options

- Application fee payment methods explicitly listed: online via Stripe (card) or by check. Families pay the non‑refundable application fee when submitting the application and pay the non‑refundable deposit and New Family Fee at enrollment. Payment arrangements for the remainder of tuition follow the selected payment plan (one‑time, three installments, or nine monthly installments).
Academics

North Seattle French School teaches French Curriculum, American Curriculum, Singapore Curriculum for students aged 3 to 10.

Curriculum
The school's bilingual curriculum aligns Washington State Common Core standards with the internationally recognized French curriculum, mapping overlaps and differences to integrate both. It enables bi-literacy and allows transition into either a French school or the local school system for middle school. The program emphasizes speaking, reading, writing, thinking, creative projects, and social-emotional learning in two languages. In preschool and kindergarten, instruction is primarily in French; in 4th and 5th grades, English time increases to a 50/50 ratio between languages. English and French teachers co-teach daily and collaborate on lesson plans and student growth, with regular language-department meetings and curricular projects.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
NSFS integrates social-emotional development as a core element of its mission and values. The school aims to cultivate globally minded independent thinkers through bilingual education, with social-emotional development highlighted among its core values. The program emphasizes that character development is as valuable as academic learning and includes age-appropriate strategies for developing empathy, mindfulness, self-awareness, and communication at every grade level. The emphasis on social-emotional development is designed to help students become open-minded, tolerant, curious, and responsible community members. Through this integration, NSFS seeks to foster an engaged community of families and a supportive, inclusive classroom culture.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
NSFS offers immersion in French within a bilingual preschool through 5th grade. The program blends the established French curriculum with Washington State standards to enable bi-literacy and fluency in two languages. NSFS supports plurilingualism and home-language development, ensuring students stay engaged and proud of their home language while acquiring another. For preschool and kindergarten, no French is required; starting in 1st grade some knowledge of French is expected, and non-native speakers are assessed on a case-by-case basis. This bilingual approach is designed to prepare students for a globally connected world.

Mental Wellbeing
Social-emotional development is a core value, with character development considered as important as academics. SEL is integrated throughout the NSFS program, with students learning empathy, mindfulness, self-awareness, and communication at every grade level. The school emphasizes relationships, belonging, and community involvement to support emotional well-being. The focus on DEI and family engagement further supports a positive emotional climate for students and families. This approach aims to cultivate students who are resilient, collaborative, and socially responsible.
Parent Experience

History
North Seattle French School opened in fall 2013 with a single kindergarten class. Since then, it has grown by one grade each year and established a preschool. In the 2018-2019 school year, it reached 5th grade, becoming a full bilingual elementary school in Seattle. The school began when a handful of parents shared the dream of a local French-American school and worked to make it a reality.

Community
With our small class sizes and personalized attention, North Seattle French School ensures that every child's individual needs are met. Our supportive, community-focused environment fosters strong relationships between families, students, and teachers, creating a deep sense of belonging.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
NSFS is located at 18560 1st Ave NE, Wing F, Shoreline, WA 98155, inside the Shoreline Center. The campus is safely located in the heart of a community center and offers shared facilities such as turf soccer fields, a playground, a Spartan Gym for indoor sports, and a stadium. The school is just steps away from the light rail, with parking at the corner of 1st Ave NE and NE 185th St. Enter the Shoreline Center via the South Entrance when visiting.

Sports Facilities
Facilities on campus include turf soccer fields, a Spartan Gym for indoor sports, and a stadium. The campus also features a playground to support outdoor activities and informal play. These spaces support physical education and after-school sports. The shared facilities are located on the NSFS campus inside the Shoreline Center.

Academic Facilities
The bilingual curriculum addresses Washington State Common Core standards and the French curriculum. The two curricula are mapped to overlap and differ, enabling bi-literacy and a smooth transition to either a French school or the local middle school. Preschool and kindergarten instruction is primarily in French, with English introduced gradually to reach a 50/50 language balance in 4th and 5th grades. The elementary program uses the Singapore Math method for mathematics. In 5th grade, students take the DELF language diploma, and a Learning Specialist supports differentiated instruction across grades.

Extra Curricular Facilities
GLOBE, North Seattle French School's after-school program (Garderie, Loisirs & Optional Bilingual Enrichment), offers a variety of clubs and classes for different ages and interests. Clubs include Kung Fu, soccer, parkour, STEM, chess, and art. GLOBE runs Monday to Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and camp is available during breaks and in summer. NSFS operates a 9-seat private bus service between the Shoreline campus and Green Lake and Phinney Ridge in Seattle, with morning pickup around 8:00 a.m. and evening drop-off around 5:35 p.m. The Summer Camp is open to children aged 3 to 9 and takes place both inside NSFS and outdoors at the Shoreline Center.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
French language immersion and Francophone culture define NSFS's bilingual education. Students develop critical thinking, emotional intelligence and a global perspective from an early age. The mission is to cultivate globally minded independent thinkers through bilingual education. An integrated curriculum and a focus on social-emotional development support learning.

Arts & Creative
GLOBE after-school enrichment includes Art clubs; other popular enrichment classes include Kung Fu, soccer, parkour, STEM and Chess. After-school programs run from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., with additional camp during breaks and in summer.

Cultural & Language
French language immersion and Francophone culture are central to NSFS. Through bilingual education, students gain a global perspective. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion are core values within the NSFS program.

Social & Hobbies
After-school clubs offered through GLOBE include Art, Kung Fu, soccer, parkour, STEM and Chess, with activities designed for different ages and interests. These activities provide opportunities for students to explore varied hobbies and interests. The GLOBE program also operates after school from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and includes a bus option.

Community & Service
NSFS fosters an engaged community of families and emphasizes Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. The school maintains community partnerships and hosts events such as the FrancoFun Gala.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Small class sizes and personalized attention support students' social and emotional wellbeing. Social-emotional development is a core focus as part of the integrated curriculum, contributing to a supportive school community.
Languages

Language Provision
French and English are taught across NSFS programs. Language acquisition happens in an immersive environment, with body language and visual cues; English is introduced gradually through daily activities and literacy practices. By Grande Section, students navigate both languages, and by fourth grade the program maintains a 50/50 balance to support bilingual literacy. In fifth grade, students take the DELF exam to certify French language skills.

Bilingual Teaching
North Seattle French School uses a bilingual curriculum that integrates Washington State standards with the French curriculum to support bi-literacy across preschool through fifth grade. Preschool and kindergarten are taught mainly in French, with English introduced gradually; by fourth and fifth grades instruction is about 50% French and 50% English. English and French teachers co-teach in the classroom, collaborating on lesson plans and projects to connect the languages and support social-emotional learning. The program enables students to transition to either a French school or the local school system for middle school.

Immersion Programs
NSFS offers French immersion from preschool through fifth grade as part of a bilingual K-5 program. In the early years, instruction is in French to build language foundations, with English added gradually to support bilingual proficiency. By the fourth grade, teaching is 50% in French and 50% in English, with teachers co-teaching to support language development. The curriculum aligns with both the French educational framework and Washington State standards.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1 - Submit an Application Online. We are now accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year. Please submit an online application with the non-refundable $90 application fee per child, payable via Stripe or by check. If you are interested in the 2025-26 school year, contact admissions to know if space is available; preschool entrants must be 3 by December 31, 2026 and kindergarten entrants must be 5 by December 31, 2026.

Scholarships
Needs-based Tuition Assistance for K-5 is offered to help families access NSFS's bilingual education; Preschool does not currently offer financial aid. Aid is awarded as a grant and does not require repayment; awards range from 5% to 45% of tuition and are determined by the NSFS Tuition Assistance Committee using FAST, which analyzes family income, assets, family size, and other factors. The FAST online application opens January 9, 2026 and is due February 13, 2026 for new families (January 20, 2026 for returning families); multiple documents including tax returns and income proofs are required. For preschool, no NSFS aid is available; for eligible families, French Government Scholarships (Bourses Scolaires Françaises) may be available in addition to NSFS aid by applying with NSFS and consulting the Consulat Général de San Francisco site for deadlines. Tuition amounts for 2026-27: Half-day Preschool $14,480; Full-day Preschool $23,020; Elementary $23,020; Includes field trips, books, and supplies; Deposit 10% and New Family Fee $500; Sibling Discount 10%; Payment plans: Plan A (one-time payment with $100 discount), Plan B (3 installments), Plan C (9 installments).
School Events
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