BILINGUAL PATHWAYS
CONNECTING CULTURES, SHAPING FUTURES
“Decades later, EB still feels like home to me. I will never forget so many people— administrators, teachers, and students alike—who shaped my worldview and helped raise me. ”
Laura Spiekerman, Trustee, alumna (2000) & current parent
The East Bay’s first bilingual school opened its doors in the fall of 1977 at the Little House on Heinz Avenue with six teachers and fifty students. Our founders entrusted Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley with a mission to provide bilingual proficiency in French and English, foster a love of learning, and support whole-child development through an accredited curriculum that meets both French and American educational standards.
Nearly fifty years later, we have graduated over 1,900 bilingual students and attracted exceptional faculty from all over the world. We expanded our school to extend the benefits of a bilingual education through eighth grade, and expanded our facilities to match. We didn’t stop there; since then, we ’ ve put robust SEL and STEAM curricula in place, partnered with TEDx, and sent our students abroad to experience the richness of the French language and Francophone world. Today we are known for our academic rigor, student-centered approach, diverse community, and innovative programs We have built on our founders’ vision of excellence by continuously adapting to our changing environment and the evolving needs of our students and families
Our strategic plan is key to this ongoing evaluation Every five years, we take a close look at the challenges and opportunities that face EB and, with our mission as our north star, lay out the path forward Members of our community including the Head of School, trustees, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and students engaged in a year-long process to examine critical questions about our future
How does learning evolve in a world of rapid technological change? What role do responsibility and community care play in the classroom? How can our students experience the diversity of the French language and culture beyond France? How do we attract and support the best faculty and staff at EB? How can we ensure that students with diverse learning needs thrive at EB? Should our mission extend beyond eighth grade? Beyond Berkeley?
Since our founding, EB has been a leader in French-American education, excelling in the formation of creative, multilingual learners. What’s more, each year, students, faculty, and families alike enthusiastically return to EB to continue their journey with one another. We are confident that our 2024-2029 plan will build upon our past success, and set the stage for new and greater successes to come.
Sincerely,
Sébastien Robert Head of School, Strategic Planning Committee Co-Chair
Valla Vakili Board Co-Chair, Strategic Planning Committee Co-Chair
BACKGROUND
This strategic plan is based on an analysis of learnings gathered during the 2023–2024 academic school year
Led by the Board of Trustees
Steering Committee, composed of Trustees, parents, teachers and staff, the effort included a comprehensive family survey, a retreat for the Board of Trustees, and three focus groups.
The Board of Trustees, administration, and faculty all provided valuable insights throughout the process
“EB has allowed me to be a globally-minded person... ”
Addison Sutton Alumnus (2016)
F O R W A R D
O U R P A T H
Pillar 1: Learning and Growth
We will prepare students of all backgrounds to engage with the key advancements and challenges of our time by:
Championing critical thinking and creativity with an innovative curriculum that prepares students for rapid technological change.
Fostering responsibility by engaging students in lessons and practices for caring for their school, community, and environment.
Supporting diverse learning needs so every student can grow and all teachers have the necessary tools and training to succeed.
Pillar 2: Belonging and Thriving
We will ensure that all students, families, and faculty at EB can thrive by:
Embracing the diversity of experiences that infuse the French language with vibrancy and dynamism by immersing students in the world of Francophone cultures.
Integrating well-being, belonging, and inclusion into all campus and community activities.
Empowering faculty and staff with a comprehensive strategy for compensation, professional development, and classroom support
Pillar 3: Mission and Impact
We will expand our mission by exploring new grades, partnerships, and programs by:
Exploring new educational pathways beyond grade 8 for EB students and families
Expanding global opportunities through new educational experiences abroad.
Offering summer programs, professional development, and year-round cultural events that expand engagement with EB and our Francophone community.
Pillar 4: Stability and Strength
We will secure the resources and facilities our students and faculty need by:
Launching a capital campaign and promoting a culture of giving to support our major goals and future growth.
Ensuring financial sustainability, competitiveness and affordability with a tuition structure that meets our financial needs.
Aligning long-term master planning with our strategic goals to adapt our campuses for the future.
PAVING OUR PATH FORWARD
Our Strategic Plan is a reflection of our mission, vision, and values.
MISSION
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley nurtures creative, multilingual learners, equipped to confidently embrace the delights and challenges of an interconnected world
VISION
We are a force for good in the world, preparing our graduates to positively impact their diverse communities, and the local and international spaces in which we all belong.
VALUES
Courage
Compassion
Curiosity
Community
VALUES in French
Courage
Compassion
Curiosité
Communauté
With EB’s 50th anniversary around the corner, we ’ re grateful for the opportunity to reflect on our roots as a pioneering school in the East Bay. At the same time, we ’ re excited to embrace the many opportunities within our grasp. From its humble beginnings, EB has grown into a national leader in bilingual, multicultural education.
As we look to EB’s future, we envision a vibrant, internationally recognized institution that capitalizes on the unique attributes of the entire francophone world. This diversity of perspectives, enriched by France’s historical significance in diplomacy, the arts, and scientific innovation, prepares our graduates to address the challenges and delights of an interconnected world
EB’S STRATEGIC PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE
The Strategic Plan is based on an analysis of information gathered during the 2023–2024 academic year. The Board of Trustees Steering Committee, composed of trustees, parents, teachers, and staff led this effort. Its analysis was based on a comprehensive parent survey and the creative discussions which took place in three focus groups with similarly diverse composition.
The planning process also included careful analysis of internal and external data relevant for sound independent school operations. The Board of Trustees, administration, and faculty all provided valuable insights throughout the process.
We are deeply grateful for the contributions of our diverse stakeholders, including faculty, staff, alumni, and parents who provided input via surveys and focus groups.
Valla Vakili
Strategic Plan Steering Committee Chair & Board of Trustees Co-Chair
Ghessycka Bennett, Parent
Xavier Quan, Trustee
Pria Hidisyan, Board of Trustees Co-Chair
Sylvie Thomas-Droz, Faculty & Parent
Antonette Goroch, Communications & Digital Media Manager
Veronica Volny, Parent
Erik Marinovich, Parent
Simona Zompì, Parent
Tucker Pinochi, Executive Assistant
Leadership Team
Sébastien Robert, Head of School
Magali Noth, Head of Primary
Fabien Lombard, Head of Middle School
Antoine Portales, Director of Business & Finance
Chauncey Burnett, Former Director of Enrichment & Athletics
Mei-Lin Ha Byers, Director of Development & Communications
Manon Johnson, Director of Admissions & Enrollment
Maer Ben-Yisrael, Director of Technology
