Lycee Francais de Chicago

[EduCativ]

First founded in 1995 by a small group of French and American families, the Lycee began as an international school of fewer than 150 students. Twenty years later, our community has grown dramatically, attracting families from around the world who share the value of an academically challenging and culturally diverse education. Families find a second home at the Lycee because of our commitment to world-class education and fluency in respect, responsibility, and the joy of learning. Today, the Lycee is Chicago’s premier international education community, consisting of nearly 500 families and more than 770 students.
Our program is based on the French National Curriculum combined with key American building blocks. It offers students the best of both worlds. From the extensive French curriculum—taught in French—students become highly proficient critical thinkers by acquiring the rigorous writing skills and broad academic knowledge necessary for the French Baccalaureate. From our strong American program—taught in English—students receive the academic preparation that is sought by American colleges and universities.
From multicultural exposure, students gain valuable social and communication skills and become exceptionally open-minded. Taking into account the richness, diversity, and challenges of this dual-language system, students educated at the Lycee are well-prepared to meet—and often exceed—the demands of the best universities in France, Europe, and North America.
The Lycee Francais de Chicago provides its students with a rigorous bilingual education in a dynamic and welcoming multicultural community. The Lycee draws on the best of the French, American, and international educational systems preparing students to thrive at top universities throughout the world. French at its core, the Lycée’s education transforms students into global ambassadors, inspiring them to lead lives of purpose, responsibility, and respect.
Cultural diversity and foreign language immersion are cornerstones of Lycee education. Children from all walks of life and corners of the world come together to explore learning through language. Cognitive skills are strengthened, capacity for creativity expands, and abilities to adapt and analyze are awakened as children apply their minds through multiple linguistic lenses. Doors instantly open to a world of learning and wonder. Through our community and classrooms, children cross international borders without ever leaving Chicago.
Teachers integrate technology across all subject areas in all grades. Technology plays a large part in our pedagogy and is instrumental in the classroom. Teachers use technology to illuminate the curriculum, differentiate lessons for all learners, and instill 21st-century skills. Students use technology for critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration.
The Lycee education offers students a global perspective through language. As early as age 3, children are immersed in authentic dual-language learning, expanding to a third in grade 4 and even fourth or fifth language starting in high school. Our program provides students with a passport to a competitive future by putting them on track to becoming multilingual before applying to college or university.
Part of our mission is to provide students with personalized services and extracurricular activities that will enable them to become successful learners and well-rounded global citizens. To achieve this mission, we provide academic and counseling services for students in need of extra help. In addition, we provide an extensive schedule of tailored after-school activities, allowing students to pursue their interests outside of class, while parents benefit from the flexible schedule and quality childcare.

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