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The École

United States, New York

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The school at a glance
Instructs in French, English
Fees $41,000 - 50,500
Ages 2 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2009
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum French Curriculum, American Curriculum, IB (DP)
Taught languages Mandarin, Spanish
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

The École New York is a bilingual French-American school located in Manhattan's Flatiron District, serving students from Pre-Nursery through 8th Grade, with a dedicated high school track in partnership with Léman Manhattan. The school integrates the French National Curriculum with an inquiry-based American system, where native-speaking faculty teach core subjects like math, science, and humanities in both French and English. A unique hallmark of the Middle School experience is the "World of Work" (WoW) initiative, which connects 8th-grade students with professionals from diverse fields—such as UN advisors, perfumers, and journalists—to explore career paths and personal values. For outdoor activity, the school utilizes a rooftop playground at its Maternelle campus and daily closes East 22nd Street to create a safe "Open Street" for Elementary and Middle School play. Students also begin learning Spanish or Mandarin in 3rd Grade, further expanding their multicultural perspective and communication skills.

115 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010, United States

The Essentials

The École has instruction in French, English.

Location
The École is in New York City's Flatiron District, with two campuses a short distance apart. The Maternelle Building is at 206 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. The Elementary & Middle School Building is at 115 East 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010. The campus is easily accessible by foot or bike, and a city bus service is available for eligible grades.

Stages
Maternelle (Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten), Elementary (1st to 5th), Middle School (6th to 8th), High School (9th to 12th); Léman High School with The École offers a French-American bilingual IB curriculum.

Type
Independent, French-American bilingual day school that teaches in French and English.

Additional learning support
Counseling Department includes a school counselor and a French psychologist; Educational Support Team (EST) provides assessments and interventions; STRIVE Department delivers differentiated instruction with both push-in and pull-out support, including support for newcomers to English or French.

Country affiliation
France (fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education and a member of the AEFE network; affiliated with Mission Laïque Française).

Bus service
Yellow School Bus is available for Kindergarten to 6th Grade; the service is provided by the City of New York and serves downtown, the Upper East Side, and the Upper West Side; OMNYCards are provided for eligible students living more than 0.5 miles from the Elementary & Middle School Building. Bus inquiries: bus@theEcole.org.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are available through Untold Horizons, and uniform items must be purchased from Untold Horizons; a Uniform Guide explains it as a set uniform policy, not a dress code. Every student must have at least one polo in their House color for House days, field days, and special events. The policy is gender-neutral; students may choose any item from the formal, casual, and physical education dress codes.

Food Options
The École offers a European-style hot lunch program with LiTTLE GREEN GOURMETS, with seasonal menus and options for dietary needs. If not participating, students may bring lunch; the school has a nut-free policy and prohibits sodas and candies; packed lunches should use plastic containers and Thermos bottles are allowed. Special dietary options include Vegetarian, Vegan, Kosher-style, Gluten-free, Egg-free, Dairy-free, Sesame-free.

House System
The École uses a House system; every student must have at least one polo in their House color for House days, field days, and special events. House color polo is integrated into the Uniforms policy.

Governance and Ownership
The École is an independent school in New York City. It is fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education and is a member of AEFE; it is affiliated with the Mission Laïque Française and a NAIS member; it is also a member of the Parents League of New York, AFSA, and FISNA.
Fees

Annual tuition at The École ranges from USD 41,000 to USD 50,500 for 2026/27.

Application fees and one-time enrollment fees

- Application fee: USD 300 per application.
- One-time Enrollment Fee (first year only):
- Pre-Nursery and Nursery: USD 1,000.
- Pre-K to 8th Grade: USD 3,500.
- Tuition deposit: USD 5,500 required at the time of enrollment or re-enrollment; this deposit is non-refundable and will be deducted from the overall tuition.

Tuition fees by year group (annual)

- Pre-Nursery and Nursery (full-year, full-day program): Tuition USD 46,500 per year.
- Pre-K through 8th Grade (full-year, full-day program): Tuition USD 50,500 per year.

Per-term / per-installment equivalents (by year group)

- Two equal installments (each installment = 50% of the annual tuition):
- Pre-Nursery and Nursery: USD 23,250 per installment.
- Pre-K to 8th Grade: USD 25,250 per installment.

- Nine monthly installments (payments due monthly via FACTS):
- Pre-Nursery and Nursery: gross installment ≈ USD 5,166.67 per month (9 payments). Note: the USD 5,500 deposit is deducted from the overall tuition when calculating the balance due.
- Pre-K to 8th Grade: gross installment ≈ USD 5,611.11 per month (9 payments). Note: the USD 5,500 deposit is deducted from the overall tuition when calculating the balance due.

- Payment in full (single payment) – early payment discount:
- A USD 500 reduction in tuition is applied when full payment is made by the early deadline. Example amounts before deposit consideration:
- Pre-Nursery and Nursery: USD 46,000 if paid in full by the early payment deadline.
- Pre-K to 8th Grade: USD 50,000 if paid in full by the early payment deadline.
- The USD 500 reduction is not available to recipients of financial assistance and does not apply when an employer is responsible for payment.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Enrollment window referenced for the schedule: enrollment before April 30 (for the 2026–2027 schedule shown). The tuition-deposit is required at the time of enrollment or re-enrollment.
- Payment-in-full option: single electronic payment due before the early-payment deadline (May 1). A USD 500 discount applies when paid by that date (subject to the exceptions above).
- Two-installment option: first installment due before May 1; second installment due before October 1. Each installment equals 50% of the total amount due.
- Nine-month plan via FACTS: payments due on the 1st of each month, beginning April 1 and ending December 1 (nine payments).
- Mid-year arrivals: prorated tuition rules apply and must be paid in full before the student's start date:
- Students beginning between December 15 and April 1: prorated tuition = two-thirds (2/3) of the full-year tuition, in addition to the one-time enrollment and application fees. Examples: Pre-Nursery & Nursery 2/3 = USD 31,000; Pre-K–8 2/3 ≈ USD 33,667.
- Students beginning after April 1: prorated tuition = one-third (1/3) of the full-year tuition, in addition to the one-time enrollment and application fees. Examples: Pre-Nursery & Nursery 1/3 = USD 15,500; Pre-K–8 1/3 ≈ USD 16,833.

Boarding fees

- The École operates as an independent day school for Maternelle through Middle School in New York City; no boarding program or boarding fees are listed.

Other costs and optional fees

- Lunch program: The school's hot lunch program is provided by Little Green Gourmets; participation and pricing for hot lunch are arranged directly with that provider. Lunch program fees are not included in the standard tuition figures above.
- Uniforms: All uniform items must be purchased from the school's designated retailer, Untold Horizons; a Uniform Guide is provided by the school. Uniform purchase costs are separate from tuition.
- After-school activities, overnight field trips, and Camp activities: these are additional to the tuition and invoiced separately; some families may opt into a bundled “Global Tuition” that can include some of these options. Specific prices for after-school classes, trips, and camps are itemized separately from core tuition.
- Transportation, specialty programs, supplies, or optional services where applicable may incur additional charges; these are not included in the base tuition figures above.

Refund information

- The USD 5,500 tuition deposit is explicitly stated as non-refundable and will be deducted from the overall tuition. No other explicit refund policy for withdrawals or mid-year departures is provided in the published tuition schedule. Mid-year arrivals are required to pay prorated tuition in full before their start date.

Fee payment options (methods and platforms)

- Payments may be made by electronic payment directly to The École for single or two-installment payments. FACTS is used for the nine-month payment plan (monthly installments). The early-payment reduction applies to electronic payments made by the early deadline. Specific payment instruments (for example, exact credit card or bank transfer acceptance) are handled through the school's electronic payment processes and through FACTS.

Brief note on information gaps found

- The published schedule provides clear annual tuition figures, enrollment/application fees, the USD 5,500 non-refundable deposit, payment schedules (dates and installment structure), the early-payment discount, and mid-year proration rules. Exact prices for uniforms, lunch, after-school activities, overnight field trips, and camp activities are not listed in the tuition schedule and are shown as separate costs (uniform vendor and lunch provider are identified). No additional refund/withdrawal policy beyond the non-refundable deposit is published on the tuition page.
Academics

The École teaches French Curriculum, American Curriculum, IB (DP) for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
The École is an independent French-American bilingual school serving students aged 2 to 14 in New York City's Flatiron District. It offers a bilingual curriculum in French and English for preschool through middle school. The program develops bi-literate, bi-cultural thinkers who see the world from two perspectives. In 2022, a high school track was opened in partnership with Léman High School, offering a French-American bilingual IB curriculum for graduates and French-speaking middle-school students. There are two classes per grade from 1st through 8th grade, and in 2025 the Elementary & Middle School Building moved to 115 East 22nd Street.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The École adopts a holistic approach to social, emotional, and academic development. The Counseling Department includes a school counselor and a French psychologist and provides counseling in French or English for individuals or groups. Social-emotional learning is central and is delivered through guidance lessons, advisory classes, and both short-term and longer-term counseling. The counseling team is a visible presence in all grades, offering crisis counseling and support for conflict resolution as needed. Regular guidance lessons cover friendship, bullying, diversity, feelings, and kindness, and Counselor Chats for parents complement the school program.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Educational Support Team (EST) is composed of a French-speaking psychologist, a school counselor, special education teachers, administrators, and outside providers. They meet weekly to review students who require additional academic or social support and design tailored interventions, monitoring progress. If a deeper evaluation is necessary, EST guides families and teachers and refers to outside providers. The STRIVE Department provides flexible, personalized learning with push-in support in the classroom and pull-out small-group instruction to meet students where they are. STRIVE includes two full-time certified French teachers and two full-time certified English teachers who differentiate across all subjects and support newcomers to English or French, spanning Pre-Nursery through 8th Grade.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
STRIVE supports students who are newcomers to English or French. The program uses push-in support delivered in the classroom and pull-out small-group instruction for targeted language development. The STRIVE team includes two full-time certified French teachers and two full-time certified English teachers who differentiate across all subjects, including English, French, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Instruction is designed to meet students where they are and to accelerate bilingual proficiency across Pre-Nursery through 8th Grade. Language support is integrated with the school's bilingual curriculum to support overall academic achievement.

Mental Wellbeing
The Counseling Department centers on social-emotional learning and mental health. They provide short-term, longer-term, and crisis counseling available in French and English across all grades. Counseling lessons cover mental health topics and preventive health classes (addictions, sex education, and digital wellbeing) to support overall wellbeing. Counselors maintain a visible presence in the school and collaborate with families and outside providers as needed. The STRIVE Department complements wellbeing by creating flexible, personalized learning environments that support students' social and emotional growth.

Safeguarding
The École requires all students and parents/guardians to sign The École's Code of Conduct and Anti-Bullying Policy at the start of each school year. Crisis counseling is available to provide immediate support after traumatic events. The Counseling Department offers guidance on safety, and safeguarding is supported by collaboration among the EST and outside providers as needed. The school provides ongoing safeguarding resources through in-class guidance and advisory programs to support student safety and wellbeing.
Parent Experience

History
Founded by the Wood family with Yves Rivaud and Clyde Javois in 2008, The École launched as Manhattan's first school of its kind. It opened on September 8, 2009 at 111 East 22nd Street with 22 Nursery–5th grade students. By its first eight years the school grew to over 200 students across Nursery–8th grade. Philippe and Laurence Roux joined the leadership in 2017 to refine the philosophy, expand the community, and restore the spirit of the original group for a bilingual French-American program. In 2020 Jean-Yves Vesseau became head of school, Pre-Nursery began in 2021, and a Léman High School bilingual IB track started in 2022; in 2025 the building moved to 115 East 22nd Street, doubling space and enabling two classes per grade.

Community
The École serves an international community in New York City's Flatiron District as a French-American bilingual school. The community is strengthened by active parent involvement through the Parents Association, which partners with faculty and administrators to enhance student life. The Association has spearheaded numerous initiatives and helped form lasting bonds across the school. The leadership emphasizes bringing together a diverse group of international families in close friendships and collaboration.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Active and engaged parents are essential to The École's education and student life. The Parents Association has spearheaded many initiatives over the years and helped form lasting bonds across the community. The Association collaborates with school leadership on events, volunteer programs, and family activities to support students. The PA's work reflects the school's bilingual, international focus and commitment to a welcoming, inclusive community. The PA's activities are central to the school experience and contribute to a supportive school culture.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The École has two campuses in Manhattan's Flatiron District: a Maternelle Building at 206 Fifth Avenue for Pre-Nursery through Kindergarten, and an Elementary & Middle School Building at 115 East 22nd Street for 1st through 8th grade. The Maternelle Building is five stories tall and houses seven light-filled classrooms, plus multi-purpose spaces that serve as a gym, auditorium, and cafeteria, with an outdoor rooftop playground and garden. The Elementary & Middle School Building contains sixteen classrooms, a dedicated library, and spaces for performing arts, music, art, sport, and STEM/design technology. In 2025, the school moved the Elementary & Middle School Building from 111 East 22nd Street to 115 East 22nd Street, doubling its square footage from 23,000 to 46,000 square feet over two and a half floors to support two classes per grade from 1st through 8th. The campuses combine tranquil learning spaces with active environments close to Madison Square Park.

Sports Facilities
The Maternelle Building includes a full-floor space that serves as a gym, an auditorium, and a cafeteria, and a rooftop playground and garden provide outdoor space for recreation. The Elementary & Middle School Building includes dedicated spaces for sports among other subjects. Baruch College provides access to state-of-the-art sports facilities and equipment for physical education year-round.

Academic Facilities
The Elementary & Middle School Building houses sixteen classrooms, a stunning library, and dedicated spaces for performing arts, music, art, sport, and STEM/design technology.

Extra Curricular Facilities
After-School offers over 110 activities in Semester 2 2025-2026 across four categories: Academic & Character, Art & Music, Sports & Fitness, and Science & Technology. Activities include language classes (Arabic, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish, Russian), SHSAT Enrichment, Little Ecologists, The Little Workshop; Construction Games and Lego, Chess, Genius Gems, Scratch Coding, Robot Genius League, Club STEAM, Weird Science Television, Kidz Architects; Model-Making Workshop, Cooking, Knitting & Crocheting, Studio Art, DJ, Broadway Musical, Theatre, Photo & Graphic Design, Embroidery; Judo, Swimming, Team Sports, Tennis, Capoeira, Gymnastics, Parkour, Intro to Taekwondo, Fencing, Dance, Momentum Athletics, Ping Pong, Pickleball, Yoga, Gravity Gym. The second-semester runs from January 26, 2026, to June 18, 2026.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The École offers a French-American bilingual program across Maternelle to High School, built on two complementary educational systems for learning. In Elementary, humanities, math, and social sciences are taught in English and French by native-speaking teachers; art, STEAM, music, and theatre are taught in English or French, and Mandarin and Spanish begin in 3rd Grade. In Middle School, foundational subjects are taught in both French and English by native-speaking specialists, with art, STEAM, theatre, sport, and music taught by either French or American faculty; students continue studying Spanish or Mandarin through 8th Grade. In High School, Léman High School with The École provides a French-American bilingual IB curriculum, extending the dual-language program through 9th–12th grade.

Arts & Creative
The École extends Art & Music through after-school and daytime programs. Elementary students study art, STEAM, music, and theatre in English or French, guided by native-speaking teachers. The After-School program offers 110+ activities per semester, including swimming, judo, capoeira, parkour, DJ Master, Broadway Musical, and studio art, led by school staff or partner organizations. Camps also feature daily art, music, and theater workshops in a bilingual immersion experience.

Cultural & Language
The École teaches in English and French through a French-American bilingual program across all grades. In Maternelle, the classroom is co-taught by a native English speaker and a native French speaker, delivering a fully immersive bilingual experience. In Elementary, Mandarin and Spanish begin in 3rd Grade, and in Middle School students continue with Spanish or Mandarin through 8th Grade. In High School, Léman High School with The École offers a bilingual IB curriculum, with electives taught in French as part of the two-language program.

Social & Hobbies
The Student Council, recess clubs, and the House system provide regular opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, and social skills in Elementary and Middle School. Elementary notes these initiatives build a strong sense of character, while Middle School highlights involvement in the student council, clubs, and the House system. After-School offers 110+ activities each semester across categories such as Academic & Character, Art & Music, Sports & Fitness, and Science & Technology, including options like swimming, judo, capoeira, parkour, and language classes. Camps also include language and performance workshops that encourage social engagement and exploration.

Community & Service
The École has an active Parents Association that partners with faculty and administrators to enhance student life. The Parents Association has spearheaded numerous initiatives to support the school community. TEPA also maintains a scholarship fund to assist families with financial need for after-school programs, uniforms, and lunches. This reflects the school's commitment to community and family involvement.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership development is embedded in programs across the grades. The Elementary program includes Student Council, recess clubs, and the House system, while Middle School expands these opportunities with clubs and leadership initiatives. In High School, Leadership and Service is emphasized as part of the bilingual IB pathway, with students participating in leadership-building activities and community service to prepare for university and global citizenship. The bilingual IB pathway strengthens collaborative and leadership skills through interdisciplinary learning.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sports and Fitness are core components of After-School life, with activities such as swimming, judo, capoeira, parkour, tennis, and team sports. The campus includes outdoor recess during Camps at Madison Square Park or the rooftop, and maintains a nut-free environment to protect students with allergies. The school's European-style lunch program promotes healthy eating, with nut-free policies and locally sourced ingredients. Mindfulness and structured physical activity are integrated to support students' overall well-being.
Languages

Language Provision
French and English are the languages of instruction. Non-French-speaking students can enroll up to Kindergarten and receive STRIVE language support (Stimulate, Transform, Reach, Identify, Value, and Enrich). Each class maintains a minimum of 60% French-speaking students. The École serves an international community from Maternelle through High School, including a bilingual IB program at Léman High School for 9th–12th grade.

Bilingual Teaching
The École teaches in French and English as part of a French-American bilingual program. Instruction runs from Maternelle (Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten) through Middle School, with Léman High School providing a French-American bilingual IB curriculum for 9th–12th grade. The École serves an international community across Maternelle to High School. Non-French-speaking children can enroll up to Kindergarten and receive personalized language support through STRIVE (Stimulate, Transform, Reach, Identify, Value, and Enrich). There is a minimum of 60% French-speaking students per class.
Admissions

Admissions
A simple admission process with three steps for all grades: 1. an Open House for parents, 2) an online application, and 3) an invitation for the whole family to meet the head of school. If you wish to apply for financial assistance, consult the Financial Assistance information. Maternelle age requirements for the 2026-2027 school year: Pre-Nursery two years old by September 1, 2026; Nursery three by December 31, 2026; Pre-Kindergarten four by December 31, 2026; Kindergarten five by December 31, 2026; from Nursery onward, potty-training is required before the first day of school. Required documents for online application: a copy of your child's birth certificate, a copy of your child's passport, a copy of your child's visa (if applicable), a picture of your child, report cards, and a confidential recommendation form completed by your child's current teacher. Admissions Calendar highlights: Quick Acceptance Applications from September 2025 to December 31, 2025 (decision in less than two weeks; if accepted, one week to sign the contract and pay the deposit); Standard Applications from September 2025 to January 11, 2026 (open houses encouraged; deadline to submit complete application January 11, 2026; decision notice February 2, 2026; deadline to sign the contract and pay the deposit February 9, 2026); If accepted but you prefer to wait, the child will be placed on a waiting list with the seat guaranteed only after the enrollment agreement and tuition deposit are paid; Late Applications after January 11, 2026 are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis; if spaces remain, you will be invited to a family interview; depending on the grade, the child may be accepted or placed on the waiting list; if accepted, three days to accept (sign enrollment agreement and pay tuition deposit); if on the waiting list, an enrollment agreement will be sent as soon as a seat becomes available. Language requirements: 1st through 8th Grade students must speak French. Start the online application by creating an account in the online tool and submitting the required documents.

Scholarships
Financial Assistance: For 2026-2027, The École will allocate $2 million to enable more students to benefit from the dual French-American curriculum. The amount awarded is based on demonstrated financial need, and both financial need and academic excellence are considered for Middle School applicants. About 20% of families receive financial assistance. Financial assistance is open to all families and can complement grants provided to French citizens attending French-government-accredited schools through the French Consulate in New York. The need assessment is processed through NAIS School & Student Services; applicants must submit via the family portal using the school code and pay a submission fee. Third-party payments do not affect eligibility, and families enrolled for less than two years are not eligible to apply until after enrollment. French citizens may also apply for a bourse through the French Consulate; applicants must be registered with the Consulate and meet with its Social Services. For help with the process, contact Mireille Desalm, Director of Admissions.

Waitlist
If your child is accepted and you prefer to wait before enrolling, they will be placed on a waiting list; their seat will be guaranteed only when the enrollment agreement and tuition deposit have been paid. After January 11, 2026, late applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis; if accepted, you will be invited to a family interview; depending on the grade, the child may be accepted or placed on the waiting list. If accepted, you will have three days to sign the enrollment agreement and pay the tuition deposit; if placed on the waiting list, an enrollment agreement will be sent as soon as a seat becomes available.
School Events
The school has not added events
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