Academics

Preschool

Learning

Our preschool program begins at 3 years old and is play-based with an emphasis on language acquisition. We focus on the development of fine and gross motor skills through targeted activities that are thematic and connect to the students’ developmental milestones. Through play our students learn skills and investigate problems. They develop solutions and build their independence skills. Routines and expectations are clear and consistent which help students become successful. In the classroom, on the playground, through experiences with friends they are continually learning by doing. They come to memorize typical tasks, learn fundamental concepts like letter recognition and counting and how to communicate through writing.

Well-Being

Health and safety have always been our paramount concern at our international private preschool in Westchester, NY. If children are not healthy or do not feel safe, they cannot learn. We have created a community here that takes care of our students so they can grow and take risks. Most of our staff is conversationally bilingual and each preschool class team consists of four teachers - a lead French teacher, a lead English teacher and two assistant teachers. Our French Language specialist works with every team as well to provide linguistic support to all of our students. Among our Well-Being team, we also have a full time nurse, a librarian, a school counselor and a speech therapist as well as additional support staff for transitions, outdoor play and special projects.

We are a full-day, full-week program.

  • Our class hours are 8:15 am to 3:10 pm, except on Wednesdays, when they are 8:15 am to 12:20 pm.
  • Early drop-off is available as early as 7:30 am.
  • After-school activities are offered until 6:00 pm (5:00 pm on Wednesdays).

Bilingual Program

Our preschool program is based on the French Ministry of Education’s program and includes elements of the Common Core Standards that are also found in the best practices of American Independent schools. We focus on six core areas: 

  • language acquisition
  • mathematical concepts
  • science exploration
  • social studies
  • arts and sports 
  • social emotional skills - learning to live together
Our curriculum is interconnected, between themes and languages and across age groups. We follow the same structure, adding skills and increasing challenges as the students go between grade levels. We are a French immersion program in the preschool - which independent research and forty years of bilingual education experience tells us is the best way to build bilingual learners. The breakdown of French and English per level is as follows:

  • Nursery: 80% French & 20% English
  • Pre K & Kindergarten: 70% French & 30% English 
Language acquisition is at the heart of our program.
Bilingual students:

List of 4 items.

  • are better thinkers, learners, problem-solvers, and speakers

  • develop more empathy and adaptability

  • have superior focus

  • score higher on IQ tests, the SAT, and non-language-related areas