Frequently Asked Questions

Bienvenue / Welcome to the French-American School of Silicon Valley !

It gives us great pleasure that you are inquiring about our school for your child.

We invite you to read on, and discover the nurturing environment and academically challenging curricula that our school can offer your child.

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, all of us here at the French-American School of Silicon Valley encourage you to make contact with us, and visit our classrooms and students, where you will explore for yourself the gift of a bilingual education.

A bientôt !

 

· What is the age of admittance?

A: The French-American School of Silicon Valley is open to students aged three years (maternelle petite section) through 11 years old (fifth grade/CM2)

· What are the admittance criteria?

A: In addition to meeting the age criteria, students must be fully toilet trained.

A: Prospective 3 year olds, Pre-kindergarten, and Kindergarten students must first be evaluated for gross/fine motor skill and social levels before being accepted for admittance.  

A: Students transferring into elementary grade 1st/CP - 5th/CM2 levels must provide current report cards (or equivalent) and be evaluated for readiness in areas of academic and social levels, as well as the level of French language.

A: Students can be admitted with no prior French language acquisition in the 3 year old, Pre-kindergarten, and Kindergarten levels assuming all other criteria have been met.

A: Students applying for 1st/CP - 5th/CM2 grade are to meet the minimum French language entry level objectives for the particular grade level being applied for.

· What is the admittance process?

A: In order to be evaluated, an Application for Admissions accompanied by the application fee must first be on file at the school.

A: Group and/or individual evaluations are scheduled and completed.

A: For applicants meeting all admittance criteria including a satisfactory evaluation, an acceptance letter,  Enrollment Agreement, and Registration packet will be mailed to the family.

A: Once the Enrollment Agreement, 1st deposit and registration packet are returned by the deadline, the applicant's enrollment at the French-American School of Silicon Valley is confirmed.

· How can prospective families visit the school?

A: Please call the school front office number at 408-746-0460 to schedule a school tour.

A: For local applicants, tours are generally held at 9:30 a.m.

A: For out-of-state or international applicants, other tour times may be available

· What does the Applicant Readiness Evaluation consist of?

A: For 3 year old applicants, the evaluation mostly consists of social readiness, with some fine and gross motor skills assessment and will be conducted in a small group or classroom environment.

A: For Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten applicants, the evaluation consists mostly of fine/gross motor skills evaluation along with social assessment, and will be conducted in small groups.

A: For 1st/CP through 5th/CM2 grade, the evaluation consists of a French language and math test, assessing the entry level objectives for the particular grade being applied for, and is given individually. 

A: If the applicant is transferring from another French-accredited school, U.S. or abroad, a current Report Card and test results from that school can serve as equivalent to our on-site testing, if the student is not available locally for testing.

A: The evaluations will be conducted in both French and English, however will stress the dominant language of each applicant.

· When and how are evaluation results communicated? 

A: Evaluation results remain confidential property of the school. A mailing will be sent out to each individual applicant, stating either: the applicant has been accepted for enrollment, the applicant is eligible for acceptance however due to a lack of space has been placed on a waiting list, the applicant at this time is not eligible for enrollment.

A: The French-American School of Silicon Valley's Admission Committee provides responses within 2-4 weeks after the last set of scheduled evaluations.

·  How early should prospective families begin the admissions process at French-American School of Silicon Valley?

A: It is never too early to contact our school or begin the admissions process (i.e. Application for Admissions);  however, priority for school tours will be given to prospective students applying for the current school year.

A: The deadline for submitting an Application for Admissions, ( for the next school year), is one week after our annual Open House, held annually the first Sunday in December; i.e. for the 2007-2008 school year, deadline for submitting an Application for Admissions is December 11, 2006

A: No deadline applies for grade levels with enrollment openings

A: For applications received early, (even years early), files will be maintained awaiting the student evaluation process.

A: Student evaluations will be given January-March, (or later for grade levels with openings,) for the next school year; i.e. student evaluations for the 2007-2008 school year will be administered January-March 2007.

A: The Admissions process is not on a "first-come / first-serve" basis; however as above-mentioned, early applicants are always welcome.