What are the academic benefits of French immersion?

French immersion education gives students more than the ability to speak another language. At French American School of Puget Sound, students build strong academic foundations while learning to think, communicate, and solve problems in both French and English. This bilingual approach helps children develop flexibility, focus, confidence, and a deeper understanding of language, culture, and ideas. From 18 months through Grade 8, FASPS students grow as readers, writers, mathematicians, scientists, artists, and globally minded learners through a harmonized French-American education that combines academic excellence with cultural agility and real-world perspective.

How does bilingual education support brain development?

Bilingual education supports children by encouraging the brain to move between languages, ideas, and ways of thinking. In a French-English bilingual learning environment, students practice listening carefully, making connections, adapting to context, and communicating with purpose. These habits can strengthen attention, memory, problem-solving, and cognitive flexibility over time. At FASPS, bilingual learning is not an add-on; it is woven into the school day through academics, classroom routines, cultural experiences, and relationships. Students learn to navigate two languages and multiple perspectives, helping them become adaptable thinkers who are prepared for an interconnected world.

Will my child learn both French and English?

Yes. FASPS students develop skills in both French and English through a carefully designed bilingual program. As a French-English bilingual independent school serving the Greater Seattle area, FASPS combines the strengths of French and American educational approaches so students grow as confident communicators in both languages. Children learn French through immersion, daily interaction, academic instruction, and cultural experiences, while also building strong English literacy and communication skills. By Grade 8, students are prepared to continue their education with the confidence, language ability, and academic foundation needed for high school and beyond.

Is French immersion a good fit for families who do not speak French at home?

Yes. Many FASPS families do not speak French at home, and children can thrive in French immersion with the right support. Our teachers understand how young learners acquire language and create a warm, engaging environment where students build confidence through repetition, routine, play, conversation, and academic exploration. Families are not expected to teach French at home. Instead, FASPS partners with parents to support each child’s growth, helping students develop language skills naturally over time. For families seeking a French immersion school in the Seattle area, FASPS offers a welcoming path into bilingual education, global citizenship, and cultural discovery.

How does FASPS support students in a bilingual learning environment?

FASPS supports students through small-school relationships, experienced bilingual educators, personalized attention, and a community that understands the journey of learning in two languages. Teachers help students build comprehension, confidence, and academic skills step by step, whether they are beginning French immersion in early childhood or continuing through elementary and middle school. Our program combines language learning with strong academics, cultural agility, social-emotional development, arts, athletics, advisory support, and global citizenship. With campuses on Mercer Island and in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, FASPS provides a nurturing French-American bilingual environment where students are known, challenged, and supported.

THE FASPS ADVANTAGE

The BENEFITS OF A BILINGUAL EDUCATION

For more than three decades, FASPS has inspired children to become confident learners, compassionate citizens, and globally minded leaders through a harmonized French-American bilingual education. From 18 months through Grade 8, students develop strong communication skills, cognitive flexibility, cultural awareness, and the confidence to thrive in an interconnected world.

FASPS eighth-grade graduates in formal attire posing together on outdoor steps

HARMONIZED FRENCH-AMERICAN EDUCATION FOR A GLOBAL FUTURE

French immersion education gives students more than the ability to speak another language. At French American School of Puget Sound, students build strong academic foundations while learning to think, communicate, and solve problems in both French and English. This bilingual approach helps children develop flexibility, focus, confidence, and a deeper understanding of language, culture, and ideas. From 18 months through Grade 8, FASPS students grow as readers, writers, mathematicians, scientists, artists, and globally minded learners through a harmonized French-American education that combines academic excellence with cultural agility and real-world perspective.
Bilingual education supports children by encouraging the brain to move between languages, ideas, and ways of thinking. In a French-English bilingual learning environment, students practice listening carefully, making connections, adapting to context, and communicating with purpose. These habits can strengthen attention, memory, problem-solving, and cognitive flexibility over time. At FASPS, bilingual learning is not an add-on; it is woven into the school day through academics, classroom routines, cultural experiences, and relationships. Students learn to navigate two languages and multiple perspectives, helping them become adaptable thinkers who are prepared for an interconnected world.
Yes. FASPS students develop skills in both French and English through a carefully designed bilingual program. As a French-English bilingual independent school serving the Greater Seattle area, FASPS combines the strengths of French and American educational approaches so students grow as confident communicators in both languages. Children learn French through immersion, daily interaction, academic instruction, and cultural experiences, while also building strong English literacy and communication skills. By Grade 8, students are prepared to continue their education with the confidence, language ability, and academic foundation needed for high school and beyond.
Yes. Many FASPS families do not speak French at home, and children can thrive in French immersion with the right support. Our teachers understand how young learners acquire language and create a warm, engaging environment where students build confidence through repetition, routine, play, conversation, and academic exploration. Families are not expected to teach French at home. Instead, FASPS partners with parents to support each child’s growth, helping students develop language skills naturally over time. For families seeking a French immersion school in the Seattle area, FASPS offers a welcoming path into bilingual education, global citizenship, and cultural discovery.
FASPS supports students through small-school relationships, experienced bilingual educators, personalized attention, and a community that understands the journey of learning in two languages. Teachers help students build comprehension, confidence, and academic skills step by step, whether they are beginning French immersion in early childhood or continuing through elementary and middle school. Our program combines language learning with strong academics, cultural agility, social-emotional development, arts, athletics, advisory support, and global citizenship. With campuses on Mercer Island and in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, FASPS provides a nurturing French-American bilingual environment where students are known, challenged, and supported.

Parent and child doing arts and crafts at Bébé and Me

French immersion and bilingual education offer powerful academic, cognitive, and cultural benefits for children. At FASPS, students learn in both French and English through a harmonized French-American program that builds strong academics, language confidence, cultural agility, and global citizenship.

Our Mission | what We Do

We challenge students to excel academically and thrive in French, American, and international cultures.

Our Vision | why We Do It

To inspire the next generation of global citizens to learn, understand, and act wisely in a multicultural world.

French American School of Puget Sound (FASPS) campus sign surrounded by autumn leaves

Our CORE VALUES | ideas We LIVE BY

Excellence

Integrity

Cultural Agility

Community

Our History

What began in 1995 with just 13 students in the basement of a Newcastle church has grown into one of the Pacific Northwest's premier bilingual independent schools.

FASPS was founded by Patricia Blaise-Caves and Véronique Dussud, alongside founding directors Connie R. Collingsworth, Misa Bourdoiseau, and Josette Gregoire, who shared a bold belief: that children thrive when academic excellence, cultural openness, and language immersion come together.

From those humble beginnings, the school quickly found its footing. As enrollment grew, FASPS relocated to Mercer Island, expanded its campus, launched a middle school, and welcomed families from around the world. Along the way, dedicated educators, trustees, volunteers, and parents have helped shape a school community defined by academic excellence, bilingual education, and global citizenship.

Today, FASPS serves more than 400 students representing over 60 countries, continuing to build upon the vision of its founders while preparing the next generation of confident, compassionate, and globally minded leaders.