French American International School Middle School Viewbook

Middle School

Think internationally.

Middle School Viewbook

Rooted in San Francisco and informed by a global perspective, French American International School + International High School is the intellectual home for those seeking a world-class education and an inclusive, multicultural community. Our international education provides authentic, globally-minded learning experiences in and beyond the classroom. We inspire students to discover their individualities, explore their passions, and think internationally.

Our students develop into global citizens who will make a difference in their world.

03

French American International School

Bienvenue au Collège!

The middle school years are a key component of our program. By the end of 8th grade, students are fully bilingual—reading and analyzing both Victor Hugo and Shakespeare, and giving fluent oral presentations in both languages.

Our students learn a third language, study mathematics in two languages, take advantage of the many opportunities for leadership, engage in service-learning projects in their local and global communities, and continue to develop strong critical thinking skills within a rigorous program across the disciplines.

We encourage our students to explore new interests and passions, develop their global citizenship, and become more independent. As they learn who they are, they come to understand the world they live in—and how they plan to change that world.

Fabrice Urrizalqui Middle School Principal

04

French American International School

Educating the Whole Person While the middle years are an academic bridge between our Lower School and High School, they are also the time in which students begin to forge their identities. Fueled by adolescent energy, they not only hone how they learn, but also who they are.

By the time they complete Middle School, they speak three languages, take educated risks, and have a strong sense of both self and community.

06

Middle School Viewbook

Our students’ growing intellectual independence is fostered by an Advisory Program that provides supportive relationships and guidance for our early adolescents.

Advisory builds upon our community to strengthen each student’s sense of belonging and create a safe, fun, and engaging space for them to grow personally, socially, and intellectually. Advisory activities are designed to foster a shared culture of empathy, belonging, and responsible citizenship in our school. Advisory groups and grade levels also follow a sequenced program in health and wellness, and we incorporate health, yoga, and mindfulness practices into our students’ weekly PE curriculum.

Equally important to the collaborative, cross-disciplinary work our students undertake in the classroom is the opportunity for them to express their voice and choice in their learning. Our middle school students are full of joy and energy, and are budding activists, artists, and athletes.

We encourage our students to take risks, be innovative, and explore new interests and passions. Middle school extracurricular programs are places to explore the arts, join sports teams, and learn to collaborate and compete.

Opportunities such as student government, servicelearning projects, exploration classes, and affinity groups allow students to shape their path and develop their voices, preparing them for real-world choices and challenges.

07

French American International School

Exploration Classes

All middle school students have the option to pursue a passion, discover a new interest, or try something unfamiliar in the low-risk environment of Exploration Classes. The goal of these classes is to cultivate students’ curiosity and love of learning in a hands-on environment where self-expression and collaboration are emphasized. Classes range from Entrepreneurship to Theater to Geometry for Fun, and give students the opportunity to truly take ownership of their learning and exercise their decision-making skills. Given the chance to decide what they want to learn, students are more engaged, connected, and challenged.

08

French American International School

Third Language

10

Middle School Viewbook

Our students continue their language journey in our middle school program, becoming fully bilingual by 8th grade. The bilingual middle school program enables students to experience different ways of thinking on a daily basis, enhancing their intellectual flexibility. It is a lifelong benefit that no other school can match.

Our middle schoolers are able to add a third language class when their peers in other schools are just beginning language learning. Accelerated classes in Arabic, Italian, Mandarin, or Spanish position them for proficiency in another language in addition to English and French. And thanks to our immersive, bilingual curriculum, language learning for our middle school students is different—they acquire additional languages with finesse.

11

French American International School

Linguistic Global Travel Students embark on linguistic adventures in 7th grade through travel to China, Italy, Morocco, or Nicaragua to round out their understanding of their new third language.

In 8th grade, students travel to Paris–one of our school’s oldest traditions and a rite of passage. Hosted by local families, students are paired with exchange partners from two world-famous schools: École Alsacienne and Notre-Dame de Sion. Students spend two weeks transforming Paris into their second home, visiting some of the most exclusive locations and best-kept secrets thanks to the insider’s knowledge of their hosts.

Being surrounded in their second or third language every day allows our students to fully cement their multilingualism. Through host families, and completely immersive experiences, students become authentic global citizens.

12

Middle School Viewbook

13

French American International School

14

Middle School Viewbook

Thriving Arts The arts are a vibrant, integral part of the French American + International community and student life. Student exploration of the arts ranges from acting in plays, composing music, and creating video and radio broadcasts. Every year, our after-school performing arts program, Back Ă Dos, produces two plays and students travel each spring to perform in the Dallas Theater Festival. We cast every student who auditions, and all student-actors also learn backstage and production skills. In addition to theater performances, the program offers several musical concerts and events throughout the year.

With a black-box theater, a costume shop, and a fully-equipped workshop, our theater program invites students to develop their talents as actors, writers, directors, and designers. Our Arts Pavilion also offers practice rooms and recording studio for music students to prepare for year-round performances, or rehearse with their own student-led bands.

15

French American International School

Fall

Winter

Spring

• Cross Country

• Boys’ 5th grade, 6th grade,

• Boys’ 5th/6th and

• Boys’ 5th grade, Junior Varsity, and Varsity Soccer • Girls’ 5th grade, 6th grade, Junior Varsity, and Varsity Volleyball

Junior Varsity, and Varsity Basketball • Girls’ Junior Varsity and Varsity Basketball • Girls’ 5th and 6th grade Soccer

7th/8th grade Baseball • Girls’ 5th grade and 6th grade Basketball • Girls’ Varsity Soccer • Boys’ 5th grade, 6th grade, Junior Varsity, and Varsity Volleyball

16

Middle School Viewbook

Competitive Athletics The objective of the middle school athletic program is to provide students in 5th through 8th grades with multiple opportunities to participate in organized athletics.

Our program is designed to develop individual skills, encourage personal responsibility, and increase confidence in physical abilities while fostering social and emotional development through teamwork, commitment, and fun.

Given that athletes of this age participate at levels of differing abilities, talent, and experience, we have designed an athletic program to allow all interested and committed students to participate through a no-cut policy.

French American International School competes in the Bay Area Interscholastic Athletic League as well as the Catholic Youth Organization. Participation in both leagues allows French American the flexibility to field more teams at the most appropriate competitive levels.

Under the guidance of experienced and inspiring coaches, interested and committed students can discover strengths in new sports and raise their level of play through practices, conditioning, and team play.

17

French American International School

Engaged Community Our bilingual curriculum truly comes alive in the daily learning interactions among teachers and students, and between school and families.

Our vibrant school culture is as much about smart, interesting people and their values as the curriculum itself.

In our classrooms, our teachers take pride in knowing every single student and all our families. Across the school, we create a welcoming community that brings together people from many backgrounds, cultures, and countries. From the outset, parents meet kindred spirits and, like their children, build lifelong friendships around the French American + International experience.

At French American + International, there are variety of opportunities for parents to volunteer and sustain our mission-driven programs. Our parents’ support ensures that we continue to provide academic excellence and strong extra curricular opportunities to our lively, diverse community.

Volunteerism builds a proud, engaged community.

Our parent volunteers can choose from many different roles with varying levels of commitment. All parents are part of our Parent Association, and we encourage them to chaperone a field trip, lead admissions tours, or chair a fundraising event, among other opportunities.

Getting involved in the school fosters friendships and creates a vibrant community for our families.

Giving from our community is essential to maintaining our standard of excellence. Participating in the Annual Fund is the most important way our parents can make a difference for their child and others. Another way to support our school is to attend one of our community fundraising events. Our Cercle du Proviseur event in the fall recognizes our families that give at leadership levels, and our annual Auction in the spring semester provides a fun, semi-formal event to dine, dance, and bid in support of our school.

18

French American International School

Mission Statement

Guided by the principles of academic rigor and diversity, French American + International offers programs of study in French and English to prepare its graduates for a world in which the ability to think critically and to communicate across cultures is of paramount importance.

20

Middle School Viewbook

Guidé par des principes de rigueur académique et de diversité, le Lycée International Franco-Américain propose des programmes en français et en anglais pour assurer la réussite de ses diplômés dans un monde dans lequel la pensée critique et la communication interculturelle seront déterminantes.

21

French American International School

Our Values Our international community brings together people from many backgrounds. Together we strive to create a shared culture that develops compassionate, confident, and principled people who will make the world better. We base our community on these values:

Notre communauté internationale rassemble des personnes de toutes origines. Ensemble, nous contribuons à créer une culture qui forme des êtres altruistes et déterminés. Dotés d’un sens moral, ils œuvrent à un monde meilleur.

Notre communauté repose sur les valeurs suivantes:

Integrity Intégrité We speak and act with honesty. We take responsibility for our actions and we meet our commitments.

Nous parlons et agissons avec honnêteté.

Nous assumons la responsabilité de nos actes et tenons nos engagements.

Respect We celebrate the dignity, shared humanity, and potential in everyone. We listen attentively, speak thoughtfully, and act with courtesy and kindness. We take care of ourselves, our community, and our environment.

Nous célébrons la dignité, l’humanité et le potentiel de tous. Nous écoutons attentivement et mesurons le poids de notre parole et de nos actes. Nous veillons à notre bien-être, à celui de notre communauté et de notre environnement.

22

Middle School Viewbook

Inclusion We celebrate the diversity that defines our school, our community, and the world. We seek to understand one another and to appreciate differing perspectives. We act with empathy and compassion.

Nous célébrons la diversité qui caractérise notre école, notre communauté et le monde. Nous souhaitons nous comprendre et apprécier des perspectives différentes. Nous faisons preuve d’empathie et de compassion.

Collaboration We prize the benefits of working and learning together. We succeed through shared effort and by seeking excellence in ourselves and one another.

Nous comprenons la valeur du travail et de l’apprentissage collectif. Nous réussissons grâce à l’effort collectif et la recherche de l’excellence, pour nous-mêmes et les autres.

Curiosity Curiosité We are inquisitive about the world and our place in it, about ourselves, and about one another. We ask questions, take risks, and delight in discovery.

Nous regardons les autres etnous-mêmes avec curiosité. Nous interrogeons le monde et partons à sa découverte en prenant des risques.

23

French American International School

FAQs What is the structure of the middle school curriculum?

What language can my child learn in the middle school third language program?

In the Middle School, 60% of instruction takes place in French, 30% is in English, and 10% is in the student’s third language. Students have different teachers for each subject: Math, Histoire-Geographie, English, Science, French, PE, Theater, Music, Art, and Third Language.

Starting in 7th Grade, students also take Physique-Chimie, and 8th graders have two additional classes: Making Media and US History.

Students choose between Arabic, Italian, Mandarin, and Spanish. Students take the same language for all three years of Middle School and can continue their chosen language in high school regardless of the track they choose.

Does the middle school program students for the SSAT?

Are middle school students allowed to leave campus during the day or after school?

No The SSAT is not a requirement to apply to International High School. Test preparation for the SSAT is not part of our middle school curriculum.

24

8th grade students may leave campus during lunch only

All middle school students are allowed to sign out on their own at or after 3:30pm

6th and 7th grade students are not allowed to leave campus during recess or lunch. Beginning in December of 8th grade, students may leave campus during lunch only. All middle school students are allowed to sign out on their own at or after 3:30pm. Parents can withdraw this privilege at any time.

What does the middle school program offer to support my child’s transition to and development in Middle School?

Our faculty is composed of experts in early adolescence.

Our Advisory Program and our Learning Support team help students gain independence, get organized, and adapt to their new environment. Our Learning Support team works with individual students and small groups on essential academic abilities such as organization, time management, and study skills. Our Counselor teaches classes in each grade level on topics relevant to your child’s development such as peer pressure, healthy relationships, communication, self-esteem, sexual orientation, gender identity, bullying, alcohol and drugs, sexual decision-making, and more.

What is Advisory?

The Middle School Advisory Program at French American builds upon our community to strengthen each student’s sense of belonging and create a safe, fun, and engaging space for them to grow personally and socially. Our program aims to foster an understanding of what it means to be a responsible citizen of our school, our local community, and beyond. Your student’s Advisor is one of the most important people for their social and emotional development and transition to Middle School. Advisors provide academic and social coaching, advocate on behalf of their student within the school, and serve as the primary liaison between school and home.

What trips are offered through the Global Travel Program in Middle School?

In 6th Grade, students travel to Washington D.C. to learn about US Civics and History as well as the Civil Rights Movement. In 7th Grade, students take a linguistic trip, which in past years have included China, Italy, Morocco, and Nicaragua. In 8th Grade, our students participate in an exchange program with two schools in Paris, Notre Dame de Sion and Ecole Alsacienne.

frenchamericansf.org