Admissions Process & FAQs - French International School of Oregon

Admissions Process & FAQs - French International School of Oregon
Admissions Process & FAQs
Here you can get more details on our admissions process, find answers to our frequently asked questions, and take a peek at our campus through a photo tour.
Maternelle (TPS-K)
For students aged 2.5-kindergarten. No previous French required.
about Maternelle (TPS-K)
Lower School (1st-5th Grade)
Applicants should be coming from another French program and/or already be French speakers.
about Lower School (1st-5th Grade)
Middle School (6th-8th Grade)
For advanced French, German, Mandarin, or Spanish speakers. English-focused track also available.
about Middle School (6th-8th Grade)
How old does a child have to be to enter French International?
How many openings are available each year?
Is potty-training required?
Do you require an entrance exam?
Do you require an interview?
How does French International make admissions decisions?
What does the contractual process look like?
Is there a waiting list?
Does French International offer financial aid?
What does a typical school day look like?
A student’s grade level is determined by birthdate.
A child must be potty-trained and at least two-and-a-half years (30 months) of age to enter TPS. French International is not licensed to care for children who are younger than 30 months.
For preschool and up, the school adheres to the Oregon cutoff date of September 1: a child must be three years of age by September 1 to enter preschool, four years of age to enter prekindergarten, five years of age to enter kindergarten, and so forth. The French government places the cutoff date at December 31 of each year. Children who are French nationals who have already been placed in the school system in France according to the French cutoff date may continue in the same grade upon enrolling at French International.
The number of openings varies from year to year.
In the Early Childhood/Maternelle program, TPS (early preschool for 2.5 year-olds) and preschool classes have the largest number of openings, followed by prekindergarten and kindergarten classes. Kindergarten is the last entry point for non-French speaking students until Middle School.
Openings in the Lower School (1st-5th grade) vary based on the year.
In the Middle School, 6th grade generally has the largest number of openings, followed by 7th and 8th grade, respectively.
Children must be fully potty-trained on the toilet before they can begin attending class. French International is not licensed to care for children who are not potty-trained.
If a child coming from a school that is not accredited by the French Ministry of National Education applies to our Lower School program (1st-5th grade), an entrance assessment and classroom visit will be required.
Entrance exams are not required for any other grade levels.
Part of the application process for TPS-5th grade is an Admissions Meeting. This is scheduled after an application and fee have been submitted and includes at least one of the applicant's parents or guardians, the Early Childhood/Maternelle Division Head, the Lower School Division Head, and the Director of Admissions. This meeting will help assess the family’s interest in French International and the applicant’s readiness for the program. It also provides the family the opportunity to ask questions in order to make an informed decision about enrolling at the school.
The applicant child is not required to be present at the Admissions Meeting; however, he/she may be asked to come to campus for a classroom visit.
Admissions Meetings are not required for admission to the Middle School; however, applicants are expected to spend a full day on campus attending and participating in classes with Middle School students. This Student Visit Day can be scheduled after an application and fee have been submitted.
French International seeks students of average to above-average ability who can contribute to and benefit from its challenging and rewarding curriculum insofar as we can support them. The school strives to admit students whose families value the advantages of an internationally-oriented curriculum offered in a small class environment.
Students are selected for admission on the basis of:
academic potential
developmental maturity
school achievement and qualifications
academic readiness for the school’s program
open-mindedness
Other criteria may include:
diversity and gender balance
affiliation with French International School of Oregon
fit between the family and the school
Where it is appropriate, testing and/or interviewing are used as supplemental tools to provide information to assist in the assessment of each applicant. In all cases, the school retains the right to determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not to select an applicant for admission. All completed application files are reviewed by an admissions committee consisting of the Director of Admissions, the appropriate Division Head, teachers, and other staff.
French International Admissions Policy
French International welcomes students and families who will thrive in an internationally minded curriculum. We support learners to become inquirers, principled communicators, and open-minded thinkers who have a commitment to learning and growing. Helping your child realize their full potential is a privilege we take very seriously. We consider families and guardians as partners in our students’ journey of developing into global citizens, with an appreciation and understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives, to help make a better, more peaceful world.
French International admits students whose families value the advantages of an academically balanced, stimulating and engaging curriculum in small-class environments.
We believe:
Our school benefits from a community with students coming from a range of diverse cultures, abilities, and talents.
Our program is a partnership with families who strive to develop international-mindedness, respect, and independence.
Our students benefit from a well-rounded curriculum that is inclusive, nurturing, and challenging.
Our school can provide continuity and community for families arriving from other IB schools or language immersion programs.
Admissions mission-appropriate student:
Our school strives to welcome students from a wide range of gender, race, religious, socioeconomic, language, immersion, and geographic backgrounds. We value families who see themselves connected to the global community and assume a sense of responsibility toward its members, by embodying the attributes of the IB learner profile (caring, open-minded, principled, balanced, communicator, knowledgeable, thinker, risk-taker (courageous), inquirer, and reflective).
Our school values growth, change, and exploring new ideas; however, we are not a school for everyone, and we take into account students’ learning needs and whether or not we can accommodate them as their best possible learning environment (see Inclusion Policy). We believe in having a mutual partnership with families, keeping each other informed of any learning needs or trends that arise for the student.
Once an admissions decision has been made, an electronic contract is emailed to both parents/guardians of the applicant student.
Families generally have several days to make a decision, at which time a $1,000 enrollment deposit (or $300 for families applying for financial aid) is required to accompany the signed contract. The deposit is non-refundable but does go towards tuition. Both parents/guardians must complete the contractual process.
Families can choose from several tuition payment plan options on the contract, and payments begin in July.
It is important for families to pay attention to the terms and conditions and the expiration date of the contract. After that date, the space may be offered to another candidate. Families can always check with the
Office of Admissions
regarding space availability.
When there are more qualified applicants than openings available, the school establishes an unranked waiting list. If any openings occur, the Admissions Committee decides which applicant(s) will be offered a spot based on such factors as the overall profile of the class and the match between the needs of the school with the needs and qualifications of the applicant.
French International is pleased to offer a financial aid program. Financial aid is intended to enhance cultural and socioeconomic diversity in the student body. All financial aid is based on economic need assessed by a third party. Allocation of available funds is made to the greatest number of families possible. More information about school-based financial aid can be found
here.
Admission to French International is considered separately from financial aid decisions.
French nationals interested in financial aid should submit an application to the "bourses scolaires" program offered by the French government as well as a school-based financial aid application. More information about the bourses scolaires can be found
here.
The financial aid award announcement timeline is aligned with offers of admission so families of newly accepted students have all of the information they need to make their enrollment decision.
School Hours:
Maternelle Half-Day
(Toute Petite Section, preschool & prekindergarten only)
: 8:30 AM – 12 PM
Maternelle Full-Day
(Toute Petite Section through kindergarten)
: 8:30 AM – 3 PM
Lower School
(1st – 5th grade)
: 8:15 AM – 3:15 PM
Middle School
(6th – 8th grade)
: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
A Maternelle sample schedule for Toute Petite Section is available
here
A Maternelle sample schedule for preschool, prekindergarten and kindergarten is available
here
Middle School sample schedules are available
here
Lower School schedules will vary depending on the grade and class. Contact the
Office of Admissions
for more information.
When do we need to apply?
For priority consideration, please apply by February 1 for the school year beginning that same fall. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis after that date.
When are admissions offers made?
Offers of admission for applications completed by the February 1 priority deadline will be made in March and April. For applications received after February 1, offers of admission will be made on a space-available basis.
Contact us:
Admissions
Office
503-292-7776 ext. 1324
There's nothing quite like the feel, sights, or sounds of a campus, but we hope these photos offer a small sense of what it's like to be at French International School of Oregon.
View Campus Photo Tour