Lycee Francais

A very good school where parents can effect change and are truly heard. Lycee uses the French school curriculum where grading is performance based. It is refreshing to know that the teachers are not just "teaching to the test". There are terrific after school programs too such as fencing, circus arts, choir, chess... In addition to French, after the 5th grade students pick up another language. My child loves school and I am excited for their future prospects following this wonderful international education. I also can hardly wait for the new beautiful school being built in Lincoln Square!
—Submitted by a parent

We are halfway through our first year at Lycee and couldn't be happier. The teachers are exceptional, the education is top-notch and the leadership of this school is the best I've ever seen. We can't say enough about this school.
—Submitted by a parent

French family, 2 of our children graduated from the Lyc e, one is still a student here. Outstanding school!
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at the Lycee, one entering 3rd grade and one in preschool. My oldest has been at the school since age 3 and is fluent in French. I have been extremely pleased w/ the academics at the school, the teachers have all been good-excellent and they are doing better each year with differentiated learning instruction for those advanced beyond grade level. The principal, who came on the year after we started, is energetic and seems to have great vision for the school and for continuing to blend the French and American styles. My greatest complaint is that over the past 6 years the costs of attendance have risen steeply and I fear that the trend will continue and price out many families, including ours, who are very committed to language immersion and international aspects of the school. Whereas it used to be a more moderately priced private option in Chicago, it is becoming another "out of reach" school for many. There is financial aid but it is often inadequate to truly enable families to attend w/out struggling. This also leads to a cultural change amongst the families as fewer and fewer more moderate to high-moderate income level families can attend.
—Submitted by a parent

The Lycee provides an international and dynamic learning environment for children and an interesting community for families. Our children, now 13 and 10, are thriving here; they are bilingual, intellectually curious and enthusiastic about learning. We credit the school for instilling their love for learning and life!
—Submitted by a parent

The Lycee Francais is a fantastic environment for learning. We've been at the Lycee for 6 years and we couldn't be more pleased. The perspective our children have gained at such an early age will no doubt serve them well in the future. Not only do they know two languages (soon to be three) but are also so aware of the diversity in our world. The are confident curious children who love to experience and learn. Additionally, our children have tested well above average in english grammer and reading comprehension. This school is truly a unique experience in the city. Even with our non French backgrounds, we've encountred no issues as our children have flourished at the Lycee. We feel fortunate to be part of such a fantastic communitee and are excited for the coming years at the Lycee.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 boys that attend the Lycee Francais de Chicago. One started in JK and the other in PreK, and they are now entering 6th and 3rd grade. The boys love the school, and because of the passion for learning that the teachers display in the classrooms each and every day, my boys are eager to learn new things both in school and at home. I know that the term "Global Citizen" is now being used by every school but at the Lycee the student start learning a 3rd language in the 6th grade, and I do not know of a better way of being a "Global Citizen" then being able to communicate with people of different cultures in their own language.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two boys at the Lycee, both of whom started when they were three years old. Not only are our boys bilingual, but they also have a broad understanding of different cultures and accept them as the norm. Despite the French immersion, we believe that their English skills are on par with (if not better than) their friends who attend American schools. Their teachers have been consistently excellent - warm, intelligent and energetic. It is our impression that the teachers work very closely as a team and also feel supported by their administration.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at the school who both started at 3 years old, the oldest just entering middle school. They are both now totally bilingual. The teaching quality is excellent, the teachers and administration are engaged and careful to give each child individual attention. The level of academics is excellent. The community is small enough to remain close and friendly.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended the Lycee for 7 years (since the pre-school program) and are now fluent in both English and French.While this is a remarkable achievement, the benefits are far greater than language. They have gained a strong understanding and appreciation for different cultures and ways of thinking/learning. They have learned to be critical thinkers with a strong intellectual curiosity. I have found the faculty at the Lycee to be passionate professionals and excpetionally dedicated to their students. It is an active parent community that works to support and enhance the students experience. While we conisdered several options when selecting a school for our children, I am so glad we made the choice to attend the Lycee.
—Submitted by a parent

I rate it high. It is an exciting place to work. While there are more than 600 students and over 400 families the sense of community is strong and parents volunteer at every level of the school to make it a most dynamic for children. The teachers are amazing and so dedicated to the children. The school has such an international feel and is truly dynamic. The Lyc e Fran ais de Chicago (The French International School) brings together children from France, America and around the world to interact and grow together.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have been involved with the school for over 10-years and have seen our three sons thrive in a challenging academic and nuturing environment. They have developed tremendous perspective through a global and mulit-cultural cirriculum that is grounded in languages, math, science, history and the arts. The teachers are profoundly dedicated to the success of our students. The school provides for many extra-cirricular activities to support the vast interests and talents of our students, including sports, art, music, etc. School life is vibrant and suported by a strong and globally oriented parent community.
—Submitted by a parent

My rating is low, b/c of diversity. In many other areas the school is average or above average. This post will probably appeal mostly to parents of color. The Lycee needs more diversity within the classroom., the teachers & in the school in general. For instance, in a class of 18 there is 1 african american child, 1 asian child, 1 indian child. There aren't at least 2 of each ethnic group in a class. They stress diversity but aren't recruiting at a level that is acceptable. I think the children of color would have a better experience if this was implemented Also, there aren't any books with people of color in the school library, on the walls at the school, etc. Best to find outside activities to fill this gap.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is wonderful in every aspect. The administrators and teachers are amazing, well-educated, very dedicated and strive to provide best education to their students. They constantly look for ways to improve the overall school experience, educational programs and are very supportive, which results in well rounded children who truly become the citizens of the world. And of course we love that the kids become fluent in foreign languages! Love, love, love the school!
—Submitted by a parent

My 3 kids have been attending the Lycee Francais for 5 years and they love their school. We value the French/English language immersion program, the spirit and warm atmosphere and the richness of the students backgrounds. They are starting a third language in 6th grade so they will really be well prepared to compete in a more international world.
—Submitted by a parent

Fantastique! This is our 6th year at the Lycee and neither parent speaks French. We have 3 children at the school, our oldest two being in 4th grade and having started in JK. They are fluent in French and English, read and write in both languages, and have an amazing global view that they would never had acquired if they were not surrounded by teachers and students from around the global. This school truly creates global citizens.
—Submitted by a parent

The Lycee is a wonderful school where students learn in two languages...French and English. We speak English at home but our kids are all fluent in both French and English. The teachers are encouraging and our kids are thriving.
—Submitted by a parent

I can't say enough amazing things about this school!
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughters first year & I am happy w/ the quality of education. She is in Jr-K. Although, I have noticed that if your child is academically advanced than what they are teaching and is not speaking the french fluently, your only choice is to continue homeschooling. Because French fluency is the primary goal in the preschool. My daughter can read but doesn't speak french fluently yet so they will not move her to a more advanced reading group. This has been hard for me to swallow. But I continue to read with her at home & continue w/ the math studies. BUT, I do expect that next year she will be in an advanced reading & math group no questions asked. The principal leads with vision, my daughters teachers are great, and the kids are great!
—Submitted by a parent

Lycee Francais de Chicago is a wonderful, diverse school with very high academic standards. The teachers are warm, loving and firm. My daughter has been there for three years. She is currenting in grade one and is fluent in french and is reading in both languages. The only down side is that the french families tend to be at the school for only a short time.
—Submitted by a parent