A PRIVATE, INDEPENDENT FRENCH SCHOOL IN NEW ORLEANS
18 MONTHS - 8TH GRADE
From the earliest age, we immerse language, music, art, and physical education in the curriculum to foster self-expression, and by doing so, our students gain the confidence to explore the world.
OUR CORE VALUES
RESPECT / RESPECT
INTEGRITY / Intégrité
RESILIENCE / Résilience
EMPATHY / Empathie
RESPONSIBILITY / Responsabilité
Through a bilingual education at Ecole Bilingue, your child gains French language proficiency and becomes a curious, confident, creative, and compassionate learner.
The choice to embark on a bilingual education is a life-long gift to your child, providing them an opportunity to become a multilingual and multicultural global citizen.
Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans is the only private, independent French-immersion school in the state of Louisiana accredited by the French government. Founded in 1998, Ecole Bilingue has established a reputation for excellence in French-American education over the past 25+ years.
Accreditations include: French Ministry of National Education, Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS), Association of French Schools in North America, and State of Louisiana. Ecole Bilingue is also a member of the Mission laïque française (MLF).
MATERNELLE
Preschool
Crèche + ToutE petite + PETITE SECTIONS
(18 months + PK2 + PK3)
In an increasingly multilingual world, language acquisition allows students greater opportunity and cultivates cultural competence.
The early childhood program at Ecole Bilingue fosters curiosity, promotes creativity, and develops social skills in a nurturing environment. Early literacy and math skills, art, music, and gross motor skills are fully integrated into the program.
Language Acquisition
As children progress through the stages of language acquisition, their listening comprehension develops before speaking ability. Most children begin understanding the French they hear in the classroom within a short period of time while speaking ability develops later.
The process of language acquisition—especially from an early age—is demonstrated to benefit the learner’s executive functioning, including working memory and attention control.
Personalized Attention
Our low student-teacher ratio allows teachers to gain understanding of each student’s learning style and developmental level, which enables them to tailor instruction individually.
Learning a second language at a young age expands the way children interact with the world, approach problem solving, and build self-awareness.
MATERNELLE
Preschool
MOYENNE + GRANDE SECTIONs
Thinking about language is a complex practice that comes early to bilingual children. Students are not just learning words in French; they are learning how to think about the world in more than one way. Bilingual education has been demonstrated to improve fundamental social and emotional skills, including interpersonal communication and perspective-taking. The process of switching between languages also strengthens a child’s ability to focus.
During the pre-k4 and kindergarten years, the English curriculum expands. Evidence supports that learning a second language helps students excel in their first language and in the new language by building mental bridges that support their mastery of both.
Project-Based Learning
Children explore and learn through lessons that are project- and activity- based. Within a nurturing and fun classroom environment, students build the foundational skills that prepare them for elementary school.
Motricité and Movement
Starting with the youngest classes, gross-motor-skill development is a fundamental part of the curriculum with students participating in obstacle courses and physical challenges. Balance and coordination exercises help to further build students’ attention, concentration, and problem-solving skills.
(PK4 + Kindergarten) To inquire or schedule a tour, email admissions@ebnola.com
Language plays an important role in cognitive development. Gaining the experience to switch between two languages improves brain plasticity which equates to becoming a better problem solver.
élémentaire
Lower School
Cours PRÉPARATOIRE (CP) – First grade
Cours ÉLÉMENTAIRE 1 (CE1) – Second grade
Cours ÉLÉMENTAIRE 2 (CE2) – Third grade
During the first three years in Lower School, students continue to grow in their knowledge of French and English and rapidly expand their speaking proficiency, reading comprehension, and writing skills.
Emphasis is placed on social-emotional development, as students are learning how to effectively interact and work with classmates.
Students receive instruction in both American and French math programs. STEM, music, art, technology, social studies, and physical education are important components to the Élémentaire program.
Cours Moyen 1 (CM1) – Fourth grade
Cours Moyen 2 (CM2) – Fifth grade
In Grades 4 and 5, the curriculum is carefully designed to ensure students are fully prepared for the transition to middle school.
Academic skills in STEM, literature, history, and geography are further strengthened, and in Grade 4, students begin a third language: Spanish. Their proficiency in information and communications technologies continues to advance, alongside ongoing engagement in visual arts and music, all with the goal of ensuring readiness for middle school success.
A bilingual education requires a long-term commitment from parents who desire their children to become global citizens who are multilingual and multicultural. It is an invaluable gift.
31 countries represented within our school community
CHARACTER & COMPASSION
We strive to create a place where everyone feels they belong. We celebrate languages, cultures, and perspectives, and our students develop into compassionate leaders in a multicultural world.
1/6 families receive tuition assistance
CREATIVE & CURIOUS
We encourage students’ innate curiosity to foster the joy of learning. We nurture each student’s interests to grow their passion.
85% of faculty is French-speaking and bilingual
CONFIDENT & MULTICULTURAL
From the earliest age, our students are immersed in a second language and in art, music, and physical education. We foster each student’s self-expression to develop a strong sense of identity and appreciation for other cultures.
COLLÈGE
MIDDLE School
Sixième (6eme) – Sixth grade
Cinquième (5eme) - Seventh grade
Quatrieme (4eme) - Eighth grade
By the start of sixth grade, students have developed a high level of bilingualism and competence in all subjects. Typically by Middle School, students excel in both English and French and have gained an understanding of many different world cultures.
To further develop students’ cultural appreciation, the middle school grades take an international trip each year.
High School Readiness
In preparation for high school and beyond, Grades 6-8 focus on a rigorous, comprehensive, and bilingual curriculum as well as developing important social and life skills. During this transition period, students blossom into critical thinkers and problem solvers.
Ecole Bilingue graduates matriculate to top public and private high schools in the city and around the country. Research demonstrates that bilingual students often surpass their monolingual peers in academic outcomes beginning in middle school.
Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students have the opportunity to travel abroad and experience other cultures. Trips have included Martinique, Paris, Mexico and Canada.
Enrichment
Learning beyond the classroom
Life at Ecole Bilingue encompasses students’ social development, emotional well-being, and physical health to educate the whole child.
Art, Music, and Movement
At the core of Ecole Bilingue’s curriculum is the idea that selfexpression is an invaluable, life-long skill. Students in each grade receive instruction in language, art, music, and physical education to foster a confident ability to express themselves.
Social and Emotional Development
Our school counselor supports students’ social and emotional health by providing on-going progamming and guidance counseling in the classroom and in small-group settings.
After-school Programs
Ateliers are seasonal, after-school enrichment programs that allow students to explore new concepts, hone their skills, and discover their talents. Programs include: chess, hip-hop, ballet, art, music lessons, cooking, a variety of sports, and more.
ATHLETICS and PHYSICAL EDUCATION
We believe that physical education and competitive sports are essential to developing teamwork, discipline, and leadership. As a member of a school athletic team, 5th-8th students compete against other schools, experiencing the thrill of competition in a supportive environment, while proudly representing Ecole Bilingue.
We aim to enhance students’ physical fitness and build school spirit, resilience, and a love for sports. Competitive athletics at École Bilingue help shape well-rounded individuals who thrive on and off the field.
Parent & COMMUNITY involvement
Ecole Bilingue has a deeply involved community of parents, which translates into rich, school-wide programming and events.
At Ecole Bilingue, students don’t just attend a school—they are part of a community of educators and dedicated parents who are committed to their development and to their success.
PARENT ASSOCIATION
The Parent Association provides an opportunity for all parents to engage with the school in a variety of volunteer capacities and plans community events that bring our families together.
Annual Events
In addition to on-going social events throughout the year, Ecole Bilingue hosts two annual fundraising events that help to keep tuition accessible.
FÊTE FRANÇAISE
This annual event is New Orleans’ premier French festival and is held on the blocks surrounding our school’s campus.
Soirée
This internal school event is open to EB families, faculty, and staff. It’s a night for our community to come together for fun and celebration in the name of supporting our school’s mission.
Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans is committed to creating a community where everyone feels they belong.
French curriculum
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do students learn Louisiana’s curriculum but in French?
At Ecole Bilingue, we teach the French national curriculum in French immersion beginning with our youngest students. We are accredited both by the French ministry for education and by the state of Louisiana and meet full standards for both.
Do students receive instruction in English?
Beginning in pre-k4, students receive daily instruction in English, including reading/writing and American math. In 3rd grade, social studies in English is added to the curriculum. ELA continues to be an important part of the curriculum through 8th grade.
Do students become proficient readers in English?
Yes. While foundational reading skills are built throughout Maternelle, it is in first grade that students truly begin to learn to read in English. Students are beginning the complicated process to translate spoken words into written language in English and in French, but become proficient readers in both languages as the grade levels progress.
Will my student be able to transition to an English-speaking high school?
Yes. Ecole Bilingue graduates matriculate to the top public and private high schools in the city and around the country. Research demonstrates that bilingual students often surpass their monolingual peers in academic outcomes beginning in middle school.
At Ecole Bilingue, we are not simply teaching two languages. We are teaching students to bridge between languages and to understand diverse cultural perspectives.
CAMPUS ADDRESS
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
Ecole Biling ue admits students of any race, gender color, creed, nationality and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded and made available to the students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender color, creed, nationality or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational and admissions policies and other school-administered programs.
