Bilingual School in Berkeley, East Bay Area

Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley:
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley is a French-English bilingual school in south-west Berkeley in northern Alameda County in the East Bay region of California. We provide a bilingual, international environment where children from preschool through to eighth grade are cared for, stimulated and challenged. We are the oldest bilingual school in the East Bay area. Our graduates go on to top high schools and colleges, and at last count they had lived, worked, and studied in 47 countries worldwide.

Education Programs:
We offer students a well-balanced program that combines the best of the French and American educational approaches in a multicultural environment. The curriculum in each grade is carefully integrated so that French and English instruction complement each other. The French educational system divides the primary grades into three cycles: Cycle 1 (preschool and K), Cycles 2 & 3 ((K-1-2-3-4-5) & Cycle 4

- Pre-Kindergarten, Preschool & Kindergarten Programs (Cycle 1):
There are three levels of pre-elementary classes in Maternelle (Cycle 1): Pre-Kindergarten, Mid-Kindergarten (Pre-school) and Kindergarten. Children are placed in the section which best corresponds to their developmental age; typically, age three in PK, four in MK, and five in K. All of our Maternelle classrooms have full-time teacher’s assistants so that each child gets ample individual attention.

In a warm and gently structured setting, children are immersed in French language and culture so that they soon become comfortable with it. Children have the option of expressing themselves in English until they feel comfortable enough to try their first words in French.

- Lower School Programs:  Elementary Grade 1-5 (Cycle 2 & 3):

1st Grade & 2nd Grade Programs (Cycle 2):  Reading is stressed in the first and second grade; at the end of G2, students should be able to read in French and English. Mathematics, dictation, composition, and cursive writing are taught in French, along with art and music. One hour per day is spent working in English. Mathematics, science, physical education and fine arts are taught in French. In second grade, music is taught by a specialist. Exposure to French culture and civilization is also part of the daily activities.

3rd through to 5th Grade Programs (Cycle 3):  Instruction time is divided equally between the two languages. Poetry, short stories and novels are a part of a wide-based and comprehensive approach to the teaching of language arts in both French and English. Reading comprehension skills are studied and refined as the students progress through these grades. Students practice their linguistic skills through creative writing and research reports.

- Middle School Programs:  Grades 6-8 (Cycle 4):
Our Middle School curriculum is designed around both California state standards and French Ministry of Education standards, so that students have social studies, math, and language arts in both languages. Instruction time is divided equally between both languages, and our teachers hold credentials in the subjects they teach. Teachers work together to ensure that their respective curricula mesh.

The“Itinéraires de Découverte” are designed to allow innovative approaches to interdisciplinary projects. Students work in mixed-grade groups with one or several teachers; topics vary by trimester and are as diverse as yoga and digital filmmaking. We also have a vibrant Visual Arts program, Drama, and Music.

Classes Taught by Specialists:  Gardening, Science, Art, Music, Physical Education and Computers.

Additionally:
Extended day care & after-school enrichment classes, athletics, the arts and bilingual summer camps.