Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley
EBSecular, Founded 1977
Updated July 2026
Languages
English
French
SpanishEcole Bilingue de Berkeley is a private, dual-accredited bilingual immersion school serving students from preschool through 8th grade. It provides an academic environment where students learn in both French and English to become open-minded, adaptable global citizens.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
The school is committed to a holistic view of learning that combines the rigor of French pedagogy with a comprehensive social-emotional learning program. It emphasizes core values of compassion, curiosity, courage, and community, while fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. The educational approach is project-centered and play-based in the early years, evolving into a dual-accredited bilingual program that encourages critical thinking and respect for diverse perspectives.
Programmes
The school offers a bilingual curriculum from preschool through 8th grade, with students immersed in French language and culture for approximately 80% of the day in the early years. The academic program includes core subjects such as language arts, science, and math, with English instruction integrated to build literacy and academic skills. Specialized pathways include the Accelerated French Program (AFP), which provides late entry points in grades 1, 2, and 6 for students without prior French exposure. The school also offers a Section Internationale Américaine.
Outcomes
The school aims to produce confident, multilingual learners who are prepared for high school placement after 8th grade. Graduates are described as articulate speakers, critical thinkers, and successful citizens capable of navigating an interconnected world. Alumni have gone on to pursue diverse professional paths, including roles in energy, sustainability, and education.
Student support
Learning support
The school employs an individualized approach, meeting students where they are in their language development. A Student Support Team (SST) was established in 2012 to assist students. Teachers are trained in social-emotional learning (SEL), utilizing a theme-based program called "Vers le Pacifique" (Toward Peace) to support conflict resolution and peer mediation.
Frequently asked questions(5)
- How much is tuition at Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley?
- Annual tuition at Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley is $2.9K–$43.2K. Fees vary by year group — confirm the current schedule with the school.
- What ages does Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley teach?
- Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley enrolls students aged 2 to 14.
- Is Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley a day or boarding school?
- Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley is a day school.
- Is Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley co-educational?
- Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley is a co-ed school.
- Where is Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley located?
- Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley is an international school in San Francisco, United States.
Tuition & fees
Annual tuition by grade
2026-2027| Grade | Ages | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool and Kindergarten | 3–5 | $38.2K |
| Grades 1 to 5 | 6–10 | $39K |
| Grades 6 to 8 (includes MS Accelerated French Program) | 11–13 | $43.2K |
| Additional fee for the LS Accelerated French Program (G1 to G3) | 6–8 | $2.9K |
Other fees(3)
| Enrolment fee· One-time enrollment fee (Preschool and Lower School only) | $2K |
|---|---|
| Insurance· Tuition refund insurance (mandatory on a family’s first year at EB and optional thereafter): 1.4% of tuition | — |
| Meals· Hot lunch - price per meal (subject to change): $6.75 to $7.25 | — |
Admissions
The school offers rolling admissions for available spaces. Prospective families are encouraged to submit an inquiry form and register for admissions events, which include personalized campus tours, interactive open houses, and storytime sessions for preschoolers. The admissions process is supported by the Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management.
Calendar
The school year typically includes fall, winter, and spring breaks. The board meets monthly between September and June. Summer programming, known as Le Camp d'Été, begins in mid-June.
Facilities
About the campus
The school operates two campuses in South-West Berkeley. The Lower School campus (1009 Heinz Ave.) features a bilingual library, maker space, art room, music room, educational vegetable garden, gymnastic space, and an outdoor learning environment with a water creek and amphitheater. The Middle School campus (901 Grayson St.) includes a bilingual library, science and art lab, basketball court, educational vegetable garden, outdoor student lounge, and an outdoor stage with sound and lighting.
Co-curriculars
Students have access to enrichment and aftercare activities, including yoga, soccer, and hands-on science. The school also hosts athletics, middle school movie nights, and various community events such as the Move-a-Thon and EB Cinema Week. Middle school students participate in clubs, community service, and events like the annual Maker Faire and TEDxYouth@EB.
Sebastien RobertHead of SchoolSébastien is an educator who began his career in 2003. He has over a decade of experience in international schools, including serving as a Lower School Principal in France and teaching at the Lycée Français de San Francisco before joining EB. He is well-versed in the French curriculum with a focus on bilingual education and innovative classroom technology.
Fabien LombardHead of Middle SchoolFabien has over 20 years of experience in various educational roles across middle and high schools in the USA, France, and Monaco. He holds a master's degree in history and a CAPES qualification. He has served as the Head of EB Middle School since 2023, focusing on integrating French and American educational systems.
Magali NothHead of PrimaryMagali has a BA in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Education from Mills College. She joined EB in 2010, serving as Dean of Student Life and coordinator before becoming Head of Preschool and Kindergarten in 2017 and Head of Primary and Early Years in 2021. She is a founder of the school's SST team and has implemented social-emotional learning programs.
Maer Ben-YisraelDirector of TechnologyMaer has worked in technology in independent K-12 education since 2000, with over half that time spent at French bilingual schools. He holds a BS in IT Management and an MA in Educational Technology. He joined EB in 2016.
Jazmin Gonzalez FloresDirector of Enrichment and AthleticsJazmin holds a degree in Psychology and Spanish from the University of California, Merced. She previously worked as a Registered Behavior Technician supporting children with autism and ADHD. She joined EB in 2021 as an Enrichment Supervisor and became the Director of Enrichment and Athletics in 2025.
Mei-Lin Ha ByersDirector of Development and CommunicationsMei-Lin is a Berkeley native and EB alumna (class of 1999). She holds a double degree in History and French from Oberlin College. She joined the EB administration in 2012 as the Advancement Coordinator and became the Director of Development in 2019.
Manon JohnsonDirector of Admissions and Enrollment ManagementManon has been the Director of Admissions at EB since 2015. A French native, she moved to the East Bay in 1999 and has worked in preschools since 2001, including seven years as a Site Director at Duck’s Nest Preschool in Berkeley.