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Santa Rosa French American Charter School

United States, Santa Rosa

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The school at a glance
Instructs in French, English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 4 - 14 years
Pupil numbers 468
Type Co-educational
Opened 2012
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, French Curriculum
Taught languages French, English, Spanish
Typical class size 19
Strengths STEM, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School
Introduction

Santa Rosa French American Charter School (SRFACS) is a public French immersion charter serving ages 4 through 14 in Santa Rosa City Schools District. The curriculum blends French Ministry of Education standards with California Common Core, delivering instruction primarily in French with core English-language arts, mathematics, science and social studies taught in English. The school is AEFE-accredited and certified to administer the DELF language diploma, with the aim that all students attain DELF B1. A STEAM lab supports hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, arts and math, and SRFACS offers a garden program and field trips funded by the SRFACS Parent Association Foundation. The school emphasizes bilingual proficiency and cultural confidence, with native French-speaking teachers and a focus on global perspectives. Extracurriculars include after-school Enrichment Classes in arts, movement, STEAM and cooking. Families volunteer at least 20 hours per year, and governance includes ELAC, SAB, and the Parent Association Foundation.

1350 Sonoma Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95405, United States

The Essentials

Santa Rosa French American Charter School has 468 pupils, typical class sizes of 19, instruction in French, English.

Location
1350 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa, California 95405, USA. It is a Dependent Charter School in the Santa Rosa City Schools District and operates as a public French immersion school. It serves students in TK through 6th grade and primarily serves students who live in the Bay Area, inviting those with an interest in the French language and culture.

Stages
TK through 6th grade.

Type
Public French immersion school; Dependent Charter School in the Santa Rosa City Schools District; AEFE-accredited.

Additional learning support
The school provides English Language Learner support through its English Language Learners program. An English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) provides written recommendations to the school and district regarding programs and services for English Learner students and the use of funding. ELAC also provides information and training to parents regarding the education of English Learners.

Country affiliation
Affiliated with France through AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) accreditation.

School day structure
School hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; Wednesdays close at 2:00 p.m. Drop-off begins at 8:15 for TK-6; classes begin at 8:30 for 1-6 and 8:45 for TK-K. Morning recesses 9:45–10:39; lunch and recess 11:15–1:45. TK-K dismissal at 2:45; Grades 1-6 dismissal at 3:00; Homework Club 3:15–4:30.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
SRFACS requires a regular school uniform. Tops must be solid white (navy blue is an option) with collars; bottoms must be solid navy blue and knee-length for skirts or shorts; shirts must be tucked in and denim is not allowed. Shoes must be closed-toe; there are regular uniform swaps during the year.

Food Options
Mealtimes are provided through LinQ Connect. There is a Breakfast Lunch Menu available for students.

Governance and Ownership
SRFACS is a Dependent Charter School in the Santa Rosa City Schools District. It is a public French Immersion school accredited by AEFE. The accreditation enables students to access the French educational system worldwide.
Fees
Effective year
- The published fee information available for this school is current through the 2025–2026 school year; no separate tuition schedule for 2026–2027 is published at this time.

Application / enrollment fees
- There is no application charge to submit a charter-lottery application for admission (lottery applications are accepted through the district process). There is no separate paid application fee required to enter the SRFACS lottery.

Tuition (by year group and per term)
- SRFACS is a dependent public charter school within Santa Rosa City Schools; tuition for resident students is USD 0 per year for all grade levels served (TK through middle grades).
- Per-term / per-term-equivalent charge: USD 0 (no billed tuition by term for enrolled resident students).

Recommended / voluntary contributions and optional instructional support fees
- Parent Association (Family Giving) suggested donation: USD 700 per student for the 2025–2026 Family Giving campaign. This is requested as a voluntary donation to support program elements (accreditation, supplemental services, supplies, field trips, enrichment) and is collected separately from district operations.
- The school's parent foundation operates a store and uniform program; uniform purchases and PAF fundraising contributions are optional and charged separately at retail or donation amounts determined by the foundation.

Before‑/after‑school care and expanded‑day programs (billing by program)
- Before- and after‑school care and expanded learning (ASES / child care) operate on a fee basis. Regular rates and a published child‑care fee schedule apply to families who enroll in these extended‑day programs. Families are billed according to the district's child‑care/after‑school program fee schedule and program policies. Contact details and the district fee schedule documents are maintained by the district.

School meals and other routine charges
- School meal programs and any associated meal account charges follow the district meal program procedures (meal accounts / point-of-sale charges). Meal account payments are handled through the district meal‑program platform used by SRCS. Any charge for paid student meals is separate from tuition and from PAF donations.

Boarding / residential fees
- SRFACS is a day school (grades TK–middle school) and does not offer boarding or residential placements; therefore there are no boarding fees.

Other possible costs (one‑time or occasional)
- Optional field-trip fees, program fees for optional extracurricular activities, materials or class‑specific supplies (when permitted under district policy), and optional enrichment costs may be charged to participating families. These charges are program‑specific and billed separately when applicable. The district maintains policies on permitted student fees and fee waivers consistent with California law.

Refunds and withdrawal billing
- Refunds, pro‑rating, and credit/withdrawal rules (for child care, program fees, PAF purchases/donations, and optional paid programs) follow the published policies for each program: the district's child‑care/program policy documents and the Parent Association's donation/purchase terms. Each program (district child care, meal accounts, parent foundation purchases/donations) applies its own refund/credit rules as stated in its program policies.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- There is no district tuition billing for enrollment (tuition = USD 0).
- For fee-based programs (child care, after‑school, optional activities): billing follows the district's child‑care and program fee schedules (regular rates, enrollment and change/drop dates, and any vacation‑credit or cancellation rules). Payment due dates and late‑payment rules for each fee program are set in the respective fee schedule and program policy.

Accepted payment methods
- Voluntary donations to the Parent Association and PAF purchases are processed through the foundation's online donation/commerce platform (online card / electronic payments accepted via the foundation's payment processor).
- Meal accounts and program fees are processed through the district's established payment platforms for nutrition and program billing. For district child‑care and after‑school program registration there is an online application/registration and the district accepts the payment methods listed in its program materials (online payment options are used for program fees). Methods typically include electronic card payments and electronic bank payment options where the district or foundation platform supports them; checks or cash may be accepted in limited circumstances per program policy.

Summary (straight facts for a parent)
- There is no application fee to apply via the charter lottery and there is no tuition charged for resident students (TK–middle grades) — tuition = USD 0 annually and USD 0 per term.
- The primary recurring parent charge to be aware of is the Parent Association Family Giving suggested donation (USD 700 per student for the 2025–2026 campaign), plus optional costs for uniforms, extracurriculars, field trips, before/after‑school care, and paid program participation.
Academics

Santa Rosa French American Charter School teaches American Curriculum, French Curriculum for students aged 4 to 14.

Curriculum
SRFACS provides a standards-based education program taught primarily in French with English as a secondary language for students in TK through 6th grade. The school serves Bay Area families and aims to attract students with an interest in French language and culture and to cultivate global and multi-ethnic perspectives. SRFACS is a Dependent Charter School in the Santa Rosa City Schools District and a public French immersion school. It is AEFE-accredited and is certified to administer the Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française (DELF). The curriculum harmonizes French Ministry of Education standards with the California Common Core State Standards, and bilingual proficiency is emphasized. Native French-speaking teachers with French credentials support students, helping develop cultural confidence to become global citizens.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Base includes social and civic skills as part of the core curriculum. The Base emphasizes openness to others, respect for self and others, and curiosity and creativity. The curriculum includes the inclusion of all learners, including students in Special Education, English Language Learner programs, French learners, and gifted and talented programs. Wellness and Engagement is led by an Executive Director of Wellness & Engagement. Discipline emphasizes classroom-based action with a structured process and a zero-tolerance policy on weapons, bullying, violence, and drugs.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Mild/Moderate Special Education services are provided to the Charter based on an annual allocation. Additional students in the 7th and 8th grades fit into the current allocation, requiring the Educational Specialist to split between SRFACS and Slater campuses. Any students with greater than Mild/Moderate needs in the 7th and 8th grade can be served at Slater Middle School. Slater Campus services for SRFACS students include counseling, health tech, and restorative services.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The guiding philosophy is a standards-based education program taught primarily in the French language and secondarily in American English. The school is a public French Immersion school and is AEFE-accredited, enabling access to the French educational system worldwide. SRFACS is certified to administer the Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française (DELF). The English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) provides written recommendations to the school and district regarding programs and services for English Learner students and the use of funding to support their academic needs. ELAC also provides information and training to parents regarding English Learner education, with the ELAC Handbook and EL Plan available; contact is Liliber Quintero (lquinterovelasco@srcs.k12.ca.us).

Mental Wellbeing
Wellness & Engagement is led by an Executive Director of Wellness & Engagement. Counseling, health tech, and restorative services are available to SRFACS students at the Slater Campus. The curriculum emphasizes social and civic skills and fosters openness to others, respect for self and others, curiosity, and creativity, supporting student wellbeing and a positive school climate.

Safeguarding
The Santa Rosa City Schools District maintains a Zero Tolerance policy for weapons possession, bullying and violence, and drug use and possession. Bullying, including cyberbullying, is prohibited and incidents are investigated confidentially with families contacted. Sexual harassment is prohibited; incidents are investigated and families are notified. Disciplinary action can range from counseling or a warning to suspension and possible expulsion. The district provides safeguarding contacts, including a Title IX Officer, a Section 504 Coordinator, and an ADA/Title II Coordinator for equity and safeguarding matters.
Parent Experience

History
In the fall of 2010, a group of motivated parents launched the project of opening a French-American Charter School in the North Bay. A first meeting was held in November 2010 and it was immediately apparent that there was significant support for a dual-immersion French-American school with a global perspective. On December 14, 2011, the Santa Rosa City School Board unanimously approved the petition for the French-American Charter School. Founders include Brian Benefield, Emmanuelle Benefield, Nas Salamati, Jennifer Schwinn, and Najine Shariat, with Benefield and Schwinn bringing experience in public education and bilingual contexts and Emmanuelle Benefield linking SRFACS to the French education system. The school is located at 1350 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa, California 95405.

Community
SRFACS builds a community of families who seek to cultivate global and multi-ethnic perspectives. Family involvement is encouraged through volunteer opportunities, with a typical expectation of about 20 hours per school year in various roles. The SRFACS Parent Association Foundation runs events and fundraising to support school goals, AEFE accreditation, enrichment scholarships, the SRFACS STEAM lab, school garden, field trips, and other programs.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The SRFACS Parent Association Foundation (PAF) was established to provide services to the school community. PAF develops activities to foster school spirit, community involvement, and social awareness, and raises funds solely for the purposes of supporting school goals and programs while aligning with the French-American connection. PAF manages activities including a Parent Board, meeting minutes and agendas, and financials and bylaws, and organizes events. Funds raised through PAF and the uniform shop support AEFE French accreditation, teacher visas, enrichment scholarships, the SRFACS STEAM lab, the school garden, classroom supplies, field trips, and more. Families are encouraged to volunteer at least 20 hours per school year across various opportunities.
Facilities

Academic Facilities
The school has a STEAM lab.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The school has a garden program. The Garden Committee design will directly benefit the garden program. Field trips are funded and supported by the SRFACS Parent Association Foundation. The SRFACS STEAM lab exists.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
SRFACS provides a standards-based core curriculum that aligns with both the California Common Core Standards and the French Base Standards. Instruction is delivered primarily in French, with English-language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies taught in English. The core content areas include French and English-Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. The school is AEFE-accredited and certified to administer the Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française (DELF), with the aim for all students to pass the DELF at level B1.

Arts & Creative
After-school Enrichment Classes provide students the chance to explore new activities in arts, movement, STEAM, cooking and more. Registration for winter classes begins January 7, 2026 at 8 PM. The enrichment program includes arts as a core component of the student experience. An Enrichment schedule and details are available through the program pages.

Cultural & Language
SRFACS is a free and public educational French Immersion school, with French as the primary language of instruction. Most instruction is in French, with English taught in English-Language Arts and some other subjects. SRFACS is AEFE-accredited, enabling access to the French educational system worldwide, and is certified to administer the DELF language diploma, with the goal of all students passing DELF at a B1 level.

Social & Hobbies
After-school Enrichment Classes provide opportunities in arts, movement, STEAM, cooking and more, supporting students' interests beyond the core classroom program.

Community & Service
Families are encouraged to volunteer at least 20 hours each school year. Volunteers must be approved and complete background checks, fingerprinting, TB screening, Mandated Reporter Training, and other requirements. Volunteers connect to opportunities via Be A Mentor and HelpCounter to sign up, track hours, and manage their involvement.

Leadership & Professional
English Learner Advisory Council (ELAC) provides written recommendations to the school and district regarding English Learner programs and the use of funds, and offers information and training to parents about educating English Learners. The school also hosts parent and community leadership structures such as the School Advisory Board (SAB) and the Parent Association Foundation (PAF).

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The curriculum notes that arts, physical education, and nutrition are integral elements of French culture and the learning experience. Enrichment includes movement and physical activity as part of after-school offerings, contributing to students' well-being alongside academics.
Languages

Language Provision
The school follows the National Educational Programs of France. It is AEFE-accredited and authorized to administer the DELF. Mastery of French and English is pursued to prepare students to become global citizens.

Bilingual Teaching
The school teaches a standards-based program primarily in French and secondarily in English for TK through 6th grade.

Immersion Programs
The school is a public French-immersion school and is AEFE-accredited. It is the only public school of its kind in California.
Reputation

Accreditations
AEFE accreditation (Agency for French Education Abroad); DelF certification for language diploma (Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française)
Admissions

Admissions
1. Apply for TK-8 Grades. The Lottery will be held on December 15, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at the Training Center, 210 Stony Point Rd, Santa Rosa. The 2026-27 lottery window is closed. Tours for prospective parents are scheduled through October; check the calendar for times and dates. TK-1st Grade – no prior French experience required; 2nd-3rd Grade – French experience highly recommended; 4th-6th Grades – Francophones or students with at least one year in a francophone school or a French immersion program will be accepted. SRFACS Middle School on Montgomery Junior High School Campus is available with limited availability for 7th-8th Grade.

Waitlist
After the lottery, apply to the waitlist using the After Lottery Waitlist form.
School Events
The school has not added events
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