29 Oct The École: A French-American Education for a World Without Borders
Located in New York City’s vibrant Flatiron District, The École is an intimate, independent French-American bilingual school that cultivates an internationally minded community of students from age two through Middle School. The school’s educational philosophy centers on developing well-informed, well-rounded, responsible, and compassionate individuals prepared to create and connect to a world filled with possibilities.
At the heart of The École’s approach is its uniquely designed bilingual program, through which students learn not only to speak, read, and write in two languages, but also to think, feel, and act in ways informed by two distinct cultures. This dual perspective allows students to see, explore, and understand the world from multiple viewpoints—a defining characteristic of the deeply bi-literate learner.
The École’s native-speaking French and English faculty skillfully combine the curriculum requirements and pedagogical approaches of both the French and American systems. This integration produces rich classroom environments that encourage intellectual curiosity, cultural fluency, and academic rigor. From Maternelle through Middle School, students engage deeply with language arts, mathematics, social studies, and the sciences in both French and English, while also developing creativity, empathy, and critical thinking through art, technology, and personal and social development. Whether in small classes or during experiential learning opportunities across New York City’s cultural and historical institutions, students are guided toward bilingual mastery through lessons that engage, challenge, and inspire.
The École’s Maternelle program begins with Pre-Nursery, welcoming children as young as two. This first stage of school life offers a nurturing environment designed to ease the transition from home to classroom. Each group is led by two experienced, certified teachers—one native French and one native English—along with a dedicated daycare assistant. The program blends the scholastic depth of the French system with the play-based projects characteristic of American early childhood education, encouraging self-expression, independence, and curiosity—all while beginning their bilingual journey.
In September 2025, The École celebrated the opening of its new custom-built Elementary and Middle School building at 115 East 22nd Street. The purpose-designed facility doubles the school’s instructional space, adding larger classrooms, dedicated areas for music, art, and STEM, and inviting common spaces for a modern bilingual learning community. The building supports The École’s commitment to small class sizes—no more than two per grade—while offering a state-of-the-art environment for academic and cultural growth.
The École’s vision extends beyond Middle School through its partnership with Léman Manhattan Preparatory School, established in 2022. Together, the two institutions created a French-American High School track at Léman’s Financial District campus, continuing The École’s bilingual curriculum with advanced courses taught in French and culminating in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in Grades 11 and 12.
This unique collaboration reflects The École’s commitment to fostering multilingual, culturally aware, and globally engaged young adults. Graduates of The École move forward with intellectual agility, empathy, and confidence—ready to shape a world without borders.
Maternelle Building
Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten
206 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
Elementary & Middle School Building
1st to 8th Grade
115 East 22nd Street
New York, NY 10010
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