Early Learning Cycle/ Cycle des Apprentissages Premiers

Young Pre-K, Pre-K & K/ Petite, Moyenne et Grande Sections

YPK and PK are part of “l’Ecole Maternelle”. It occupies a special place in Early Childhood Education and it is a school in itself in the French Educational System. It provides children with a program that meets their physiological, emotional and intellectual needs. The day and the environment are carefully organized to make certain that the different activities vary according to the attention span of the children and their developmental needs.

French is the primary language of instruction. A quarter of the time, an English teacher covers a program in English that enables the children to feel comfortable and begin their bilingual education in French and English.

Kindergarten is part of both Cycle 1 and Cycle 2, Early Learning Cycle and Basic Learning Cycle. Kindergarten prepares young students to enter Elementary school with the skills necessary for reading, writing expression and mathematics in both French and English. When students enter Grade 1, they have acquired the independence and maturity needed for success in our challenging dual language program.

Basic Learning Cycle/ Cycle des Apprentissages Fondamentaux

K, Grades 1 & 2/ Grande Section, CP & CE1

By the end of grade 2, students are reading and writing capably in both French and English. The French program covers reading, writing, mathematics, science and art. Penmanship is taught according to the French program of cursive writing.

More than an hour a day is spent working in English. The English program covers reading, writing and social studies. Mathematics in English supplements the French program. Physical education and swimming, music classes, as well as field trips and assemblies enrich the program.

Students end grade 2 with a formal evaluation test given to all students in French schools, both in France and abroad. This test enables the teachers to assess their students’ needs and to develop the support strategies needed for students to achieve their potential.

Cycle of In-Depth Learning/ Cycle des Approfondissements

Grades 3, 4 & 5,/ CE2, CM1, CM2

This cycle specifically fulfills two goals: a continuation of the basic learning skills on the one hand, and a preparation for middle school on the other. The French and English programs are carefully coordinated to ensure that these goals are met in all subjects, combining academic rigor and creativity.

English instruction increases progressively during the three years and reaches approximately 40% in the grade 5 program. Mathematics in English is strengthened in order to prepare the students for the  the ERB tests (Educational Records Bureau) in grades 4 and 5.

In addition, a mid-year formal evaluation test is administered in grade 5.  The test is given to all students in French schools, both in France and abroad and enables the teachers to assess their students’ needs and develop support strategies needed for students to achieve their potential.  It is given mid-year to allow for these support strategies to become effective so that students are prepared for middle school/college.

 Art, music and physical education still enrich the challenging academic program.