Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles - Overland

I'm a teacher in this school, in the french section. Most of the comments here are excessive. Le Lycee fran ais is neither a very good nor a very bad school. Most of the pupils love the school and feel well studying here. As far as I'm concerned, my point of view is different : some of the pupils are great, some others are in very high difficulties with a very poor level. The discipline is not very good in the middleschool and most of the students doesn't work in the high school. It's very cool and relax.... Don't subscribe here if you're looking for excellence, that' sure. But, in an other hand, the pupils are in a safe area and feel good. So, a school as so many others. The teachers are the same way : neither brilliant nor horrible, but in the average, some good and some others not. But one thing is sure : the main purpose of this school is to make money and not to teach the best level.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am shocked at some of these lower comments. The school isn't getting rid of its French section, it is just being expanded into a more global program, "international." The school is run like a family and they care for your kids maybe even more than some of the parents. I for one don't want my young kids walking to and from school alone. Some of these rants are from people who have nothing better to do with a bone to pick.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is run like a family business and is one: love it or leave it is the president's motto. Inflexible school, pretentious and comparing itself to prestigious schools in LA! Selling itself by reminding parents constantly about how much cheaper they are! Notre Dame around the corner IS cheaper yet is SO much more progressive! Lyc e is trying to catch up with all it is lacking. Old system, most teachers have NO idea how school is taught in America. Big potential, but a dying imperial system to deal with. A lot of yelling from teachers along with an old punishment system. Teachers don't have officially the right to be in contact directly with parents! The "French section" disappearing, the school develops the newly called "international" section (english one): but Spanish is offered... in 9th grade only! No financial aid forms and teacher poorly paid (no rebate for their children.) The president is anecdotic and enthusiastic but she does maintain "elite" classes: not the best students, but the ones with the more famous parents! Access to phones/Safari during recess, burgers Fridays, no real recycling and kids cannot walk to and from school: ecological label?..! We left it!
—Submitted by a parent

I am surprised to see the two most recent comments. My child started this year in 6th grade in the International section. This school has been a great choice. The academics are challenging and I have had no problems contacting teachers when needed. They answer emails quickly and are very helpful. Additionally, my child receives extra help from the Math and French teachers before and after school. The fellow students are kind and when there has been a problem in the classroom, it was addressed immediately. I feel its a great school and an affordable private option. I've also never had an issue with administration and when I have contacted them, I was always responded to promptly, respectfully, and efficiently. In regards to the parent association. They are trying very hard and are very new. They have some kinks to work out, but the effort put forth is great. My child is very happy there and progressing wonderfully.
—Submitted by a parent

OMG, where to begin. This school has raised tuition 10% yearly in the last 2 years. Are there any visible improvements? no. The children only go to school 160 days out of the year, thats 20 days less than public school!!! They are outdated in every aspect. The parent association is a joke and working for the school and not for the parents. Study hall is supervised by "assistants" and not teachers. If you do not speak french and want the homework to be done correctly, you will probably end up hiring a tutor. By all means, go tour the school and DO compare it with other privates! And don't get sucked into the never ending propaganda of how much cheaper they are than other schools. My child has been at this school for 2 years and has nothing but regressed. We are ready to move on!
—Submitted by a parent

If we could give a zero for this place we would. This is not a school but a business run by one of the most irresponsible, self-centered, and unprofessional administration there is.
—Submitted by a parent

My child can't wait to start school in September ...that alone speaks volumes. Lycee is a perfect blend of culture , education and community. We are proud to be a part of the Lycee family
—Submitted by a parent

There's no school like it. You are allowing you child to truely be well-rounded, the quality of teachers surpasses those of most other private school teachers. I am fortunate and grateful that my child attends this school
—Submitted by a parent

We are both French, so Le Lycee came as an easy choice for us. However, we were ready to leave if we didn't like the school. However, we have only praises for this school: the teachers are passionate and loving, the curriculum is demanding but well balanced between the rigorous topics and the Arts, my children are excited to go to school everyday and they cried (!) on the last day of school. I love that children can be themselves, are free to create (the children put a Shakespeare play together, designed booth for the school fair, another had a magic show...), and are loved for who they are. Communication was not perfect a few years ago but it is flawless now with monthly emails from the administration and great class parents to relay information. A Parent association, with full support from the administration, is now also allowing parents to volunteer as much or as little as one wishes. The French and American sections are both excellent and a new FAB (Franco-American Baccalaureat) integrates the French diploma with AP classes for admissions in Universities in the US as well as France: grads of 2012 have been accepted at Ivy leagues with scholarships! This school is a gem
—Submitted by a parent

Our son started at the school when he was three. We are an American family and wanted him to learn another language and be exposed to other cultures. We do not speak French. Now, our son writes, reads and speaks perfectly in French and English. As he enters elemntary school we thought this may be the time to make a move and toured all the other private schools and we were accepted to Mirman, JTD, The Center and several others. However, the quality of the education and the gift of a child learning another language cannot be beat. We are staying at Lycee. Amazing school!!
—Submitted by a parent

My child is a K1 student a Lycee. As the year has progressed, we have become increasingly frustrated with the school. Communication about everything from curriculum to dress code to contact information for teachers and administration has been disorganized and incomplete. Much more importantly, we choose the school primarily because we wanted our child to be immersed in a second language. However, French teachers use the langugue inconsistently and seem to have little understanding of language acquision theory as applied to young children. Finially, and most concerning of all, we have observed several instances of bullying and our child has told us of numerous others. The school was dismissive when we raised concerns and has done nothing to rectify the problem.
—Submitted by a parent

perfect education. perfect structure. perfect preparation for a perfect future. you will be delighted that your child is a product of such a school
—Submitted by a parent

I have never attended a school that took so much pain to care about my decisions and future. I have been here since the start and have seen the school blossom into something amazing these last two decades. The sports program is all speed ahead. The science and math levels are solid all around. The English language and French language sections are now both great choices for a child. The administration is welcoming and the teachers have a lot more to offer than your standard American teacher. The arts are not skimped at the Lycee either. They have a state of the art theater that is open to all. Any time I had a suggestion or idea, all I had to do was speak up and a year later, bam, the administration would act upon what I said and actually improve. I have had friends leave the lycee for other American private schools and become top of their class no problem.

Our daughter has attended the Lycee since kindergarten and is now entering the 4th grade. She loves going to school every day. Actually, I have a difficult time picking her up at the end of each day. She wants to participate in all the extracurricular activities and summer camp programs just to extend her time at school. The Lycee provides a top notch education, with exceptional teachers/staff, and the most culturally diverse student body of all the LA private schools. We are American and do not speak French, -but our daughter reads, writes and speaks fluently in French. We are in love with the school!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of three children at the school. My husband and I are both mono-lingual Americans. We have been extremely happy with the education our children receive. They are truly citizens of the world and are quite comfortable making friends with kids from all over the world. We like the way the kids turn out. They are well-educated, polite and curious about the world around them. We don't see the problems associated with many west-side private schools, the entitled attitude, binge drinking, drugs, etc. Great school. It's probably just as well not a lot of people know about it.
—Submitted by a parent

The Lycee Francais de Los Angeles has been an incredible multicultural and academic experience for my daughter. She is now in seventh grade and has been at the Lycee in the French section since kindergarten. My husband and I are both American but, having lived in Europe, value the riguer of the French style curriculum. There is a serious emphasis on traditional liberal arts including Latin, Poetry, and Literature. Now that the French-American Baccalaureat has been introduced, it is even more impressive because the students will get credit for 4 AP classes along with their French subjects.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter has been at the school for 2 years and has enjoyed every moment! She is almost 5 and is fluent in English and French - reads, writes, speaks and understands both lanaguages. The teachers are wonderful and provide a disciplined yet loving environment. As an active parent, I can personally say that the Administration is open to positive change. I've seen great things happening in the past few years and see more on the horizon. For people who wonder whether the Lycee education is geared towards the US college system, they should look at the list of college acceptances for the graduating class of 2010. It's impressive. Potential parents should go to an open house this year and see the school for themselves. The dream my husband and I have for our daughter is for her to be multi-lingual, open-minded, well-mannered and challenged is being fulfilled here.
—Submitted by a parent

For anyone who has doubts that grads from Le Lycee can attend a good American university, attend gradation. In 2010 the three valedictorians were all women, all fluent in four languages, none of them native French speakers. One is attending Cornell in engineering, one is going to Cal Berkeley in math, and one is going to Stanford in liberal arts / archeology. How's that for proof of an excellent education - French or American? And by the way, as the working parent of two Lycee students, I love the fact that I send my kids to school and trust them to turn out well educated, well mannered, multi-lingual human beings, and that I am not required nor asked to spend any time micro-managing their classroom time.
—Submitted by a parent

A poor management focussing on the richest families. Education is not oriented towards the US college system. The education of my kid was a complete deception
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended the Lycee for several years and the education he received was mediocre at best. This was especially true in regards to the preparation he received in regards to the American education system. I would not recommend this school to parents who hope to send their children to an American university.
—Submitted by a parent