San Diego French American School Photo #8

San Diego French American School

San Diego French-American School is an independent, co-educational bilingual school counting approximately 350 students age 18 months13 years old.
One of over fifty French government (AEFE/MEN)-accredited international schools in the United States (and over 500 worldwide), our school also holds accreditation from the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
As such, we are held accountable to the highest standards of both the French national education system and the best of what American independent schools have to offer. We are proud of our unwavering commitment to excellence.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

School News

Top Rankings

San Diego French American School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-8
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Dual Language Immersion Program
Secondary Immersion Language
Spanish
Year Founded
1988
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Student Body

Total Students
335 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
15%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
San Diego French American School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
30 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
90%
Average Class Size
15 students
List of Courses Offered
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Toddlers (18 mo): $24,153 +$800 fees PK0 (2 yrs): $24,153 +$800 fees PK1 - PK2 (3 & 4 years old): $22,763 + $800 fees K & 1-5th: $25,424 + $825 fees 6th - 8th: $29,166 + $1050 fees
Summer Program Cost
$2,600
Summer Program Cost Notes
$2,600 for 6 weeks or $495 per week
% on Financial Aid
30%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$4,000
Acceptance Rate
90%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Sarah Blek
Admissions Associate
Babeth Esterly

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
10 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Chess Club, Junior Model United Nations, Live Club (Environmental Awareness), Marine Biology, Math Club, Newsletter Club, Robotics Club, S.T.E.A.M Club, Yearbook Club

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Skateboarding

School Notes

  • School founded in 1988.
  • Full time or part time pre-elementary school program starting at age 18 months old. Our Preschool program is incredibly rich and diverse: inspired from pedagogic methods in France, children are immersed in the French Language while also being exposed to Spanis. They develop their personal and social skills and through play time, improve on their problem-solving or fine motor skills. Art projects encourage their creativity and promote their imagination.
  • After the immersion program in preschool, our Kindergarten naturally evolves into a rich and challenging bilingual program, preparing students for success in first grade, where they will learn how to read and write in French and English. Kindergarten features a full-day curriculum developed in French and English. Instruction is delivered in French (19 hours per week) , English (6 hours) and Spanish (1 hour).
  • The Elementary years combine the pedagogical requirements of the French Ministry of Education and the framework of standards put forth by the California State Department of Education.Classes are taught primarily in French. The number of hours taught in English increases gradually from seven hours in 1st and 2nd grade to 10 hours in 5th grade. Spanish instruction also increases to
  • San Diego French-American middle schoolers thrive in the bilingual, bicultural, and bi-literate setting that has been firmly grounded throughout the elementary years. Students who have attended the school from Pre-Elementary to 8th Grade flourish when transitioning to public or private American high schools,international schools preparing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, or to French lycees.
  • Accelerated math curriculum
  • Individualized programs to challenge students
  • French as a Foreign Language or English as a Foreign Language classes for beginners, grade 1 and up
  • Transportation
  • Extended Day Care
  • Hot lunch service
  • After School Activities
  • Children do not have to speak French at home to be considered for admission.
  • Saturday School for classes in Chinese, Spanish, Italian and French for students not enrolled at SDFAS.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does San Diego French American School cost?
San Diego French American School's tuition is approximately $25,377 for private students and $2,600 for summer students.
What is the acceptance rate of San Diego French American School?
The acceptance rate of San Diego French American School is 90%, which is higher than the national average of 85%.
Does San Diego French American School offer a summer program?
Yes, San Diego French American School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does San Diego French American School offer?
San Diego French American School offers 13 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Flag Football, Martial Arts, Sailing, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball. San Diego French American School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in California for most sports offered.
What is San Diego French American School's ranking?
San Diego French American School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees, Largest student body and Most sports offered.
When is the application deadline for San Diego French American School?
The application deadline for San Diego French American School is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Calendar

View the San Diego French American School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:

Event
Date
Spring Break
April 14, 2025 (Monday)
Last Day of School
June 13, 2025 (Friday)

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (9 reviews)
5  
SDFAS is a really good school with a high academic level. Teachers are really involved in their job and students really happy here. In the coronavirus crisis, we can see all the professionalism of everybody: online classes were organized only in 2 days and they proved such reactivity and creativity to build all the academic program in a new way and to go on interesting students. Well done!
- Posted by
5  
We have two children at SDFAS and could not be more pleased. They both started in the pre-K program and it is wonderful to watch them grow in this nurturing, yet highly stimulating and challenging environment. The school has a terrific curriculum, significant exposure to global cultures (very diverse student/parent body), a major emphasis upon international learning, a social and emotional learning program (studies show that professional success is more closely correlated with emotional IQ than intellectual IQ), small classes and great teachers. In a world that is becoming more international by the second, I believe that the education that SDFAS provides is about as close to ideal as you can get. We feel very fortunate to have found a school with an educational focus that aligns so strongly with our own.
- Posted by
5  
Signing up to SDFAS was the best decision we took. The curriculum is very strong in both languages French and English so when you are out of it in 8th grade your child speaks them fluently; sometimes even as a native. They also learn Spanish as early as in 5th grade so when they arrive in high school; they are well prepared in this subject as well. On the non-academic side you find more than 40 nationalities in the school so the children learn a lot from different cultures that are celebrated during the year (International day or Chinese New Year for example). And for the parents, the community is unbelievable. You make good friends as there is a lot of a way to volunteer and help the school with your skills and knowledge.
- Posted by
5  
Pre-Elementary school at SDFAS is a great success! My daughter is learning French and I know she understands and speaks to her teachers. She loves school and wants to go every day. They are teaching her hard skills but also how to be a kind caring friend. I know she getting a strong foundation for the rest of her education. We love it here.
- Posted by
5  
SDFAS is a great overall K8 educational institution. Our kids started San Diego French American School (SDFAS) at PK2 and completed elementary school, continuing middle school. Over the last 7 years, we have been very pleased with the overall education they have received in both English and French. They are both perfectly bilingual and excel in other areas, including, social skills, global knowledge, reading/writing, math, art, and sports. The school has been significantly improving social and emotional support to the students. The class sizes are small so every student gets the necessary assistance. Our kids love the overall environment, their teachers and friends. They are exposed to many cultural backgrounds among their friends so they are respectful and sensitive to others. Some of the comments we hear from other visiting parents are that SDFAS kids are very welcoming and confident of themselves. Among the parents, there is a great sense of community and the majority of them participate voluntarily in helping in many projects and fundraising. The kids have many opportunities to share their talents in diverse events throughout the year, such as theater, music, art show, sports events, etc. The kids also participate in international math and language competitions with great results. We look forward to great global opportunities that our kids will have with high confidence after they graduate from SDFAS.
- Posted by
5  
My kids have been in the SDFAS since preschool, one of them has graduated last year and is now at La Jolla High. Not only has it been a nurturing and highly academic environment but we also felt supported at every step (we are not french speakers). As a result of my children are very aware about other cultures, have inquisitive minds and are good kids. The classes are small so their relationships are very close and they feel like they matter (and are not only a number). My son had no problem transitioning to La Jolla High, was placed on some advance classes and has no problem getting A's. Best decision we made!!
- Posted by
5  
SDFAS is an outstanding school. The classes are small, the teachers are great and the school community very close. I love that my sons are learning in two languages and are exposed to a very international culture. They have been at the school for 7 years, and it is wonderful to watch them grow in this nurturing, yet highly stimulating and challenging environment. In a world that is becoming more international by the second, I believe that the education that SDFAS provides is about as close to ideal as you can get.
- Posted by
5  
My children (preschool age) have both started school at San Diego French American school over the past 2 years. We love it!! My husband and I lived in France for a year in college and it was an amazing experience we wanted to share with our children. SDFAS is a truly international community. Not only do the kids learn french (without an accent), but they are also exposed to new friends and different viewpoints from all over the world. Another thing we love at the school - all the lesson plans are amazing and specific to different educational goals. The day is quite structured, but the lesson plans include a variety of activities (i.e. pre-reading, math, science experiments, gardening, art, cooking and obstacle courses). I cannot recommend this school highly enough!!!
- Posted by
5  
We love SDFAS! We started in Kindergarten and were warmly welcomed into the school community by a core group of families that had been here through preschool. Not speaking French at home has made it really fun to hear our son speak. This isn't high school French- it's the real deal. The school is excellent, the families and community around it are awesome, and hearing 4-5 different languages as parents drop off their kids changes the elementary school experience. It's been wonderful and we're excited about the years ahead! Join Us!
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in La Jolla, CA is $28,673 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in La Jolla, CA is 68% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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