French Classes for Kids in Boca Raton FL

Le Petit Prince - The French International School of Boca Raton:
Our school respects the principles of neutrality and secularity of the French educational system by ensuring that all teaching is in accordance with the respect of all beliefs without predilection for any particular religions. Through this nondenominational principle, we are able to orient our teaching towards the objectivity of knowledge by respecting the diversity of opinions and to thereby guarantee students the possibility for freedom of development in terms of scientific knowledge, creative growth, and critical thinking. Our teaching is conferred with neutrality by the teachers and all staff members as no political, religious, or philosophical opinion is transmitted through the teachings of our school.

Our mission is simple. We educate, inspire, and empower our students intellectually, emotionally, and physically by recognizing effort, progress, and success equally.  Such is our ethos, our raison d'être -- and it just so happens we do it all in French!

Our vision extends beyond the French language and even beyond the traditional core academic subjects to providing a safe and nurturing environment in which our students learn the skills necessary to think independently, to wonder inquisitively, to reason empirically, and to solve creatively with great kindness, respect, empathy, compassion, curiosity,  determination, and resilience. In other words, we aim to provide our students with a strong sense of community and togetherness as the foundation upon which they can endlessly draw as they grow and go into the world to do their part.

It is our profound conviction that all children can, through encouragement and sound guidance, reach their full potential to become responsible global citizens -- prepared, equipped, and poised to contribute positively to society. We know that "becoming" is a daily process carried out over many years and that a strong foundation in both academics and character-building is key. ​​This conviction focuses our vision, feeds our philosophy, and molds our mission.

​Since 2012, we have been providing children with an early French education, not only in terms of language but also culture. We welcome students in a nurturing environment that promotes academic excellence, artistic expression, and cultural awareness. Indeed, with a student body of approximately seventy, our families represent 37 nationalities ... what a diversely enriching setting for our children to develop socially!

The moment students enter through the school doors in the morning, they may as well have stepped into a school in Paris. For the next six to ten hours, their day is just like that of a Parisian student, whether playing, learning, writing, speaking, or listening. French is not just the language of instruction, it is our language of communication. It is the way we spend the day, whether in the classroom, on the playground, in the hallways, or at lunch. From hearing the teachers, assistants, and office staff speak among themselves to using their fountain pens and Clairefontaine notebooks, our students' experience is authentic. Indeed, we offer the only full-time, truly immersive French educational program in Palm Beach County.

​As one of only 25 Mission Laique schools in North America, we share the conviction that the ability to communicate fluently -- convincingly and respectfully -- with people around the world is perhaps the single most important tool with which we can gift our children for their futures. Indeed, the mindset propelling globalization is one that multi-lingual children, with their diverse backgrounds, cultures, and interests, develop early on in an international setting such as our school.
​
I often say that we do not teach French; we teach in French.  By that I don't mean simply that we teach all school subjects (math, science, social studies, art history, civics / ethics, and language arts) in French, which of course we do. What I mean is that we aim to teach our children much more than the core academics, and certainly much more than French. We teach them the skills to think independently, to wonder inquisitively, to reason empirically, to solve creatively -- and we strive to give them the tools to do this with kindness, respect, empathy, compassion, determination, and resilience.

​Given the increasingly global environment in which we live, for our children's generation, a second language is no longer a plus, it is a necessity. ​Yet, as educators in an international school, our responsibility extends far beyond language. Indeed, our commitment to our families is to both inspire and empower our students.

Sophie Lavigne
​Founder, Head of School

Before applying, we ask that you read our Mission Statement to ensure that our school will be a good fit for your family and more specifically for your student. Children do not need to speak French prior to attending, as our full-immersion approach ensures students develop fluency regardless of the language(s) spoken at home. Of course, the younger your child is at the time of enrollment the more seamless the language acquisition process will be.

Application Steps
        1. Submit Online Inquiry Form
        2. Schedule a Tour
        3. Shadow for a Day
​        4. Interview

The French International School of Boca Raton Le Petit Prince admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities offered and available. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other school-administered programs. Our school's code with the Florida Department of Education is 8278.

Waitlist
Our school is small and spaces are very limited. Depending on your child's grade level, we may need to place him or her on our Wait List. If that is the case, we will be in touch as soon as a place is poised to become available. Our families are very international and therefore quite mobile, so mid-year moves do occur. In the meantime, your child is welcome to attend any of our After-School Language Classes and other Enrichment Activities.

Tuition Assistance
It is our pledge to never turn away a family who is mission-compatible with our school but unable to enroll their student due to financial circumstances. Our commitment to our students is long-term. As such, we welcome families who express the desire for such a committed multi-year relationship with their child's school.

​Financial Aid
​Families may apply for financial aid through a confidential process administered by FACTS and independent of school personnel. Depending on the determination made by FACTS, we will do our best to meet families' educational needs.
​
Scholarships
​Our school participates in the Florida Department of Education's scholarship program known as Step-Up for Students. We accept Award Letters for the following:
Florida Tax Credit Scholarship
Gardiner Scholarship
Hope Scholarship
Reading Scholarship
​Family Empowerment Scholarship
McKay Scholarship
​
Discounts
​Our school offers families discounts for the following:
Younger siblings (new and returning)
Summer Campers (new only)
Elementary Student Referrals (new only)​
Tuition Prepayment in Full
Tuition Prepayment in Two Installments

Waitlist
Our school is small and spaces are very limited. Depending on your child's grade level, we may need to place him or her on our Wait List. If that is the case, we will be in touch as soon as a place is poised to become available. Our families are very international and therefore quite mobile, so mid-year moves do occur. In the meantime, your child is welcome to attend any of our After-School Language Classes and other Enrichment Activities.

Tuition Assistance
It is our pledge to never turn away a family who is mission-compatible with our school but unable to enroll their student due to financial circumstances. Our commitment to our students is long-term. As such, we welcome families who express the desire for such a committed multi-year relationship with their child's school.

​Financial Aid
​Families may apply for financial aid through a confidential process administered by FACTS and independent of school personnel. Depending on the determination made by FACTS, we will do our best to meet families' educational needs.
​
Scholarships
​Our school participates in the Florida Department of Education's scholarship program known as Step-Up for Students. We accept Award Letters for the following:
Florida Tax Credit Scholarship
Gardiner Scholarship
Hope Scholarship
Reading Scholarship
​Family Empowerment Scholarship
McKay Scholarship
​
Discounts
​Our school offers families discounts for the following:
Younger siblings (new and returning)
Summer Campers (new only)
Elementary Student Referrals (new only)​
Tuition Prepayment in Full
Tuition Prepayment in Two Installments