Schools today are navigating a compelling challenge—merging innovation with tradition to cultivate student success. Particularly in bilingual education institutions, creativity is highly valued. These institutions must seamlessly blend the latest instructional strategies with a steadfast commitment to their learners.

At the heart of the educational philosophy are the core values of academic excellence, cultural enrichment and personal growth. Regional language and cultural limitations impact students’ confidence and capabilities. Thus, students must be equipped with fluency in multiple languages, critical thinking and intercultural competence. The French American School of Puget Sound (FASPS) was established to connect these values.

FASPS offers an innovative curriculum combining advanced teaching methods with a supportive, inclusive learning environment. Under the leadership of Eric Thuau—Head of School, FASPS distinguishes itself with advanced instructional techniques that deeply immerse students in both language and culture. Multimodal teaching methods and personalized learning plans ensure academic and linguistic success for every student.

FASPS achieves its mission through a unique bilingual immersion program. The educators are highly qualified and committed to continuous professional development, and they bring expertise from the diverse pedagogical backgrounds of their native countries. The school’s vision is to empower learners with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a multicultural world where diversity is celebrated, and communication knows no boundaries. FASPS prepares students to excel in an increasingly interconnected world by nurturing creativity, cultural adaptability, and academic excellence.

Promoting Cultural Agility

FASPS was founded in 1995 to provide a harmonized bilingual education in the Seattle area. Drawing inspiration from their diverse backgrounds and the region’s growing multicultural population, the founders envisioned an environment where children could excel academically and personally through a bilingual program.

Beginning with only 13 students in a church basement, FASPS has expanded to serve 450 students, strongly emphasizing global citizenship, integrity, cultural agility, and community.

Since its inception, FASPS has remained committed to its mission, continually expanding its facilities and programs to support an inclusive and nurturing community for students and their families. The overwhelming success and popularity of the FASPS program have necessitated expansion beyond the current Mercer Island location, prompting the creation of multiple hubs to cater to the diverse and growing community. The forthcoming permanent home in Seattle’s North Beacon Hill area is scheduled to open its doors in the fall of 2026.

FASPS also recently cemented a groundbreaking partnership with Seattle University to boost bilingual education and cultural exchange by providing students with cultural and linguistic immersion opportunities. This partnership brings together a top American university and a leading bilingual school, creating new learning opportunities for students and teachers from both academic institutions.

Implementing Competency-based Learning

The educational approach at FASPS seamlessly integrates the strengths of French National Education (FNE) with American holistic, progressive pedagogy. FNE provides a competency-based learning program that strongly emphasizes citizenship, complementing American methods. FNE teachers are highly trained, beginning with the youngest students at 18 months.

Both the American and French teaching methods are student-centered, creative and comprehensive. At FASPS, students develop robust study skills, engage deeply in both disciplines and cultivate autonomy and resilience within an innovative learning environment.

Enhancing the Multicultural Learning Experience

FASPS is guided by a vision to “inspire the next generation of global citizens to learn, understand and act wisely in a multicultural world.” This vision is grounded in the values of cultural agility, community and integrity. The school’s diverse community, comprising 60 nationalities and 38 languages, fosters respect for various cultural perspectives. Parents actively participate by sharing their cultural traditions with students, enhancing the multicultural learning experience.

FASPS also prioritizes engagement with the local community, including learning about the tribes in King County and Washington State. The school hosts artists and presenters from the Francophone world, and its French program features a civics component that supports the advisory program, DEI initiatives, and sustainability education.

Students are involved in service-learning activities, such as volunteering at food banks and spending time with the elderly at local retirement villages. By promoting a multicultural perspective, FASPS combats discrimination and equips students to thrive in diverse environments.

The Power of Dual Accreditation

Ensuring High Standards in French and American Education

Dual accreditation ensures that FASPS meets the high standards of the French and American educational systems. Accreditation from the French Ministry of National Education guarantees adherence to France’s rigorous academic requirements and curriculum standards, providing students with a strong foundation in the French language and culture. This facilitates seamless transfers to French schools worldwide and ensures continuity in education if families relocate.

In contrast, accreditation by NWAIS signifies that FASPS meets the stringent standards for independent schools in the Pacific Northwest. These standards encompass academic excellence, best practices in governance, financial stability, and operational integrity.

NWAIS accreditation ensures that the school maintains a high level of educational quality, fosters a supportive and inclusive community, and upholds ethical standards in all aspects of its operations.

A Comprehensive, Globally Recognized Education

This dual accreditation offers students and families a unique blend of educational excellence. It signifies that FASPS provides a comprehensive, well-rounded education that combines the strengths of French and American pedagogical approaches.

Students benefit from the intellectual rigor of the French curriculum, particularly in areas like mathematics and sciences, while also enjoying the creativity and individualized learning strategies emphasized in American education.

Furthermore, this accreditation ensures that the diplomas and academic achievements of FASPS students are recognized and respected both nationally and internationally. It provides parents with confidence that their children are receiving an education that is both globally competitive and locally relevant. This dual recognition also supports the school’s mission to cultivate global citizens who are culturally agile and prepared to thrive in diverse environments.

Nurturing Multilingual Talents

At FASPS, immersive and interdisciplinary methods integrate language acquisition beyond traditional education. Students are immersed in French and English early, developing natural proficiency in both languages. Additional languages such as Mandarin and Spanish are introduced in sixth grade, further enhancing students’ multilingual capabilities.

FASPS promotes cultural immersion for its middle school students through extended international trips to France, China, and Costa Rica. These trips allow students to practice their language skills in authentic settings. Math and science are taught in French and English, reinforcing bilingual proficiency and fostering a global perspective.

Additionally, cultural events, art exhibitions, and music recitals in multiple languages enrich the students’ linguistic and cultural experiences. By creating a bilingual environment that permeates all areas of learning, FASPS ensures that students achieve fluency in multiple languages and develop a global perspective and cultural agility.

Fostering Analytical Skills

At FASPS, teaching subjects such as math, science and history in both French and English presents distinct benefits and challenges. The ‘cognitive gymnastics‘ provided by this dual-language approach reinforces a wide range of skills.

This method fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter, allowing students to compare methodologies and concepts across languages, ultimately broadening their analytical and critical thinking skills. As a result, students graduate from the 8th grade already having completed the first two high school courses: Algebra 1 and Geometry.

Science is taught in French at the middle school level and primarily in French at the elementary and preschool levels, while scientific vocabulary is mainly taught in English. The challenge lies in ensuring that students can effectively grasp and apply complex concepts in both languages. Teachers must adeptly balance curriculum standards from both educational systems while making lessons accessible and engaging.

Educators emphasize the importance of hands-on, experiential learning and the integration of STEM and STEAM projects to make abstract concepts tangible and relevant. These immersive activities support language acquisition and demonstrate the interconnectedness of different subjects, promoting a holistic and integrated approach to education.

Excelling in the DELF French Exam

In middle school, students at FASPS continue to learn disciplines through both French and English equally. They take the DELF French language proficiency exam, which motivates them to further develop their French fluency and celebrates their years of learning.

Upon graduation, students have the option to join the Saturday School program to continue their French education through high school, as many US high schools do not offer the appropriate level for their advanced skills.

Enhancing Language Proficiency

FASPS provides robust support for students with diverse language proficiencies through personalized learning programs, specialized language support services and multisensory teaching methods. The school offers flexible classroom arrangements, peer mentoring opportunities and a variety of extracurricular activities to enhance language practice.

Programs such as English Language Learner (ELL) and Français Langue Étrangère (FLE) are available to cater to individual needs. Initially, support may begin with one-on-one sessions and progress to a model where support teachers integrate into classrooms, ensuring students receive tailored language assistance within their academic environments.

Cultural Immersion

Through FASPS’s immersive model, most students do not learn French or English as a second language but as a “mother tongue.” This approach fosters a comparative language mechanics mindset, enhancing their proficiency in French, English and additional languages such as Spanish or Chinese.

In Grade 8, immersive international trips provide real-world language practice and cultural immersion, and student exchange programs allow students to learn in other international schools in locations such as France, Thailand, and the Canary Islands. These experiences motivate students to deepen their appreciation of different cultures and languages and expand their horizons as they see beyond the walls of their own school.

Strengthening Cognitive Functions with Bilingualism

An education rooted in bilingualism enhances cognitive abilities, making individuals agile and capable of interacting with diverse cultures. At FASPS, this approach ensures students develop linguistic proficiency, cultural competence, and empathy.

With a low student-to-teacher ratio and multisensory teaching methods, FASPS fosters an inclusive environment. By promoting understanding and appreciation of diversity, it combats discrimination and racism.

Achieving Academic Excellence

FASPS seeks teachers with academic excellence, cultural agility, and a passion for bilingual education. Candidates need strong subject qualifications, certifications, bilingual/multilingual educational experience, and proficiency in French and English.

With diverse faculty and longstanding commitment, teachers profoundly impact the community. Their dedication forms the heart and soul of FASPS, fostering an inclusive and culturally rich learning environment.

Enhancing Educator Effectiveness

FASPS strongly emphasizes ongoing professional development for its educators to enhance effectiveness and foster innovation. Teachers are encouraged to pursue further academic qualifications, participate in workshops, and engage in professional development programs.

The school supports these efforts by funding advanced degrees and specialized training initiatives, ensuring educators remain equipped with the latest pedagogical strategies and educational technologies. This commitment enhances the quality and relevance of instruction and enriches the academic rigor and cultural diversity of the FASPS educational experience.