The École
The École, formerly 'École Internationale de New York, is an independent, French-American bilingual school serving an international community of Maternelle-to-Middle School students in New York City’s Flatiron District.
The École has been designed to cultivate an internationally minded community of students. From Maternelle to Middle School, they artfully blend the best of the French and American educational systems, gifting students with deep bi-literacy, whole-child skills and knowledge, and an optimistic, multi-cultural perspective. So they grow more flexible and fluid, interested and interesting, persistent and positive. And always ready to shape and share their life's successes—whatever the moment and wherever they go.
Its Elementary and Middle School Building is at 111 East 22nd Street between Park and Lexington Avenues, where five floors accommodate the 1st to 5th grades and the Middle School (6th to 8th Grade). While the Maternelle - the preschoolis at 206 Fifth Avenue between West 25th and 26th Streets.[1]
As of 2022, The École has a student body of 322. Each class has between 12 and 20 students, and each grade level has one or two classes.
History
The school opened in September 2009, making it the third French international school in Manhattan. Yves Rivaud founded École Internationale. Rivaud decided to create the school because Manhattan needed a real French American bilingual school, and he believed he would easily fill the school's enrollment upon opening.[2]
Yves Rivaud retired in August 2020 and was replaced as head by Jean-Yves Vesseau. In September 2021, The École opened its first Pre-Nursery class (a bilingual program for 2-year-olds). In September 2022, The École launched a partnership with Léman High School offering its Middle School graduates (and French-speaking students from other middle schools) the opportunity to extend The École's French-American dual curriculum in 9th and 10th Grade and transition to a bilingual IB diploma program in 11th and 12th Grade. The IB diploma is recognized as one of the strongest college preparatory programs worldwide and is an impressive qualification for college applicants. Léman High School with The École provides a rigorous curriculum for high school students interested in pursuing a dual-language French program. Students enrolled in the program have the benefit of all the resources Léman has to offer, including a robust literature, mathematics, science, social studies, arts, and athletics high school curriculum, with the added advantage of key classes taught in French by The École teachers.
Name and Symbol
In September 2018, the school officially changed its name from the original Ecole Internationale de New York to the shorter name it is known by now: The École. The combination of English and French in The École is a nod to its French-American bilingual focus, while also reflecting the fluidity with which students move from one of these languages to the other.
Tuition
Annual tuition starts at $41,200
Financial Assistance
20% of students enrolled at The École receive financial assistance. The average amount of financial assistance offered is $19,200
References
- The École website
- Burton, Monica. "A Language en Vogue." Shoe Leather. Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, New York University, 2011. 1 (Archive). Retrieved on May 1, 2015.