The French School

The French School was founded in 1986 under the auspices of Audubon Montessori School. It was granted a charter by The Orleans Parish School Board after Katrina. ACS operates under the management of a non-profit organization, French And Montessori Education, Inc. (FAME).

Accreditation by the French Government is granted only after a school has met national requirements for teaching standards and academic performance. It assures the students that they will receive full credit for their courses and can transfer to any French educational institution in the world. It also ensures that American students at ACS will receive an excellent education while learning French in a French setting.

Considering Bilingual Education?

Audubon Charter School is the only public elementary school in Louisiana accredited by the French Ministry of National Education in pre-K through fifth grades. We offer full time pre-kindergarten programs for 4 year-olds, a kindergarten, and middle school classes through eighth grade.

• Students are bilingual within their elementary education years. Parents need not be able to speak French. French homework tutors are available.
  
  
• ACS students score on or above the French national average on French national tests. Their English test scores are consistently in the top 10% statewide. Students continue to the best secondary schools in the area.
  
  
• Special programs: Gifted Resource, Talented in Music, Visual Arts or Theater, English as a second language.

The Benefits of a Second Language

In most countries around the world, people speak more than one language. In today’s international economy, knowledge of a foreign language can help to gain new opportunities in business and Foreign Service.

SAT scores are higher for students who average four or more years of foreign language study. These students are more valuable in today’s international job market.

Creativity, analytical and adaptation skills are put to early use. Children who learn about a culture other than their own have less prejudice toward people from other countries.

Acceptance to l’Ecole Franco-Américaine

Beginning in 2008-2009, children entering the first grade at Audubon must have attended one year of French kindergarten and at least one year of French pre-kindergarten.

Candidates for the upper grades may have to pass a proficiency test if they do not come from a French-accredited school. Our full time French faculty is composed of certified teachers who speak French as their first language.

Due to an agreement between the French government and the Government of Louisiana, French nationals residing in Orleans and surrounding parishes may enroll in the French program.