Our Bilingual Vision at the French American School of Silicon Valley
“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.” – Frank Smith
Our Bilingual Vision at the French American School of Silicon Valley
At the French American School of Silicon Valley (FASSV), bilingual education is more than learning two languages. It’s an invitation to think critically, lead confidently, and live with curiosity and compassion. We believe that the ability to learn, reason, and create in both French and English gives children a distinct lifelong advantage. It sharpens intellect, fuels imagination, and opens the mind to the world’s many ways of knowing and being.
Our mission is to nurture bilingual, bicultural, and intellectually bold learners who thrive academically and personally in an environment built on four guiding values: critical thinking, academic excellence, respect, and lifelong learning. United by these principles, our faculty and families create a close-knit community where every child is known, challenged, and celebrated.
The Academic Power of Two Languages
At FASSV, children don’t just study in French and English. They think, inquire, and create in both. Our integrated curriculum draws from the French Ministry of Education and the California Common Core, ensuring mastery of rigorous academic standards in mathematics, science, literacy, and the humanities.
Our students learn through project-based and inquiry-driven learning, where both languages become tools for exploring complex questions and solving real-world problems. Students learn to read and write daily in both languages building phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and expressive precision in English through Heggerty, UFLI, and Fishtank Learning, while French instruction develops deep comprehension, grammatical mastery, and eloquence.
In math, our learners move between the i‑Ready English framework and the French national mathematics program, strengthening reasoning and problem-solving flexibility. This approach prepares them not only for success in both education systems, but for future innovation that demands global and adaptive thinking.
A Global Community of Thinkers and Leaders
Our families, faculty, and students represent over 45 nationalities and 25 languages, creating a vibrant international community where diversity isn’t just celebrated—it’s lived daily. In classrooms alive with multiple perspectives, students learn to question assumptions, consider new ideas, and approach challenges with empathy and resilience.
We cultivate the growth of each child as a:
Critical, Creative, and Resilient Thinker
– Questions confidently, analyzes deeply, and connects ideas across disciplines and cultures.
– Synthesizes perspectives to develop innovative, thoughtful solutions.
– Demonstrates perseverance, humility, and adaptability when tackling challenges.
Intercultural Communicator and Collaborator
– Engages clearly, respectfully, and confidently in both French and English.
– Collaborates with peers from diverse backgrounds, valuing different ways of thinking.
– Reflects and refines through feedback, conversation, and shared discovery.
Ethical and Empathetic Leader
– Acts with integrity, fairness, and purpose.
– Inspires others through empathy and courage.
– Uplifts the community through compassion and respect.
Engaged Global Citizen
– Thinks critically about the world and takes meaningful action to improve it.
– Bridges cultures with understanding and accountability.
– Leads with awareness, advocating for sustainability, justice, and peace.
The Gift of a Bilingual Mind
The science is clear—and the results are inspiring. Bilingualism strengthens problem‑solving, enhances memory, and stimulates creativity at every stage of life. Research shows that thinking in two languages builds flexible neural networks, improving focus and cognitive control throughout adulthood. It’s a gift that lasts a lifetime—a foundation for leadership, empathy, and innovation.
At FASSV, families don’t just choose a school. They choose a journey; one that opens minds, expands possibilities, and honors the best of both French and American educational traditions.
Give your child the gift of a mind that thinks globally, feels deeply, and learns for life.
