Lycée Français de Chicago

The school is guided by the core values of respect, responsibility, and the joy of learning. It aims to foster critical thinking, cultural empathy, and leadership, preparing students to become global ambassadors in a multicultural and multilingual environment. The educational approach emphasizes academic excellence, language immersion, and personalized learning.

The school offers a bilingual+ curriculum with French-English immersion from pre-K to Grade 8. In high school (Grades 9–12), students follow either the French Baccalaureate or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. The curriculum includes a third language option starting in Grade 4, with fourth and fifth language options available in high school. The school is an IB World School, authorized to administer the IB Middle Years Programme (Grades 9–10) and the Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12).

The school reports that 100% of its graduates go on to higher education. Students are prepared to transition into the AEFE network of schools worldwide or pursue university studies, supported by the school's college counseling team.

The school provides college counseling to assist high school students with university selection and placement. Additionally, the school maintains a dedicated student billing and financial aid office to support families with tuition management and needs-based aid applications.

Admission is open to students of all backgrounds, with no previous French required for primary or high school entry. The school maintains a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio and serves a diverse community representing over 40 nationalities. Main admission points are pre-K and the Grade 9 English-based IB program, with other grade levels subject to availability. Families must complete an admissions process and may apply for financial aid, which is awarded to approximately 20% of the student body.

The school operates on a standard academic year calendar. Specific dates for breaks, closings, and community events are managed through the school's online community calendar.

The 3.8-acre campus in Chicago's Lincoln Square/Ravenswood neighborhood features an environmentally sustainable building with a green roof and a four-story central atrium. Facilities include 50 classrooms with interactive boards, four science labs, two libraries, an innovation lab, a student life center, a full-sized gymnasium, an outdoor basketball court, and a soccer field. The school also operates a dedicated Center for the Arts, which houses a flexible performance space and three music and arts classrooms.

The school offers extensive after-school programming, including athletics, clubs, and service opportunities. Athletics are supported by the Flames program, and the school participates in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) sports league. Additional offerings include the LFC*extra program, which provides various after-school activities, and an Artist-in-Residence program.