French American International School & International High School

The school is dedicated to providing a rigorous, bilingual, and international education that fosters cross-cultural cognition—the ability to think, feel, and act across cultures. It balances change and stability, guided by principles of respect, integrity, inclusion, collaboration, and curiosity. The institution aims to prepare students to navigate the world with confidence, empathy, and joy, cultivating global citizens who can lead toward a more just future.

The academic program is organized into four divisions: Maternelle (Pre-K), Lower School, Middle School, and High School. The curriculum is French-English bilingual through Grade 8, while the High School offers pathways for both the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and the French Baccalaureate. The school also integrates arts, athletics, and a Global Travel Program into the core educational experience.

Graduates are prepared to thrive at universities worldwide, benefiting from an education that combines French and American standards with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Students develop critical thinking, cross-cultural empathy, and bilingual fluency by Grade 8. The school's alumni include professionals in fields such as filmmaking, writing, and sports management, reflecting the school's focus on developing global changemakers.

The school provides a supportive environment for students, emphasizing both academic rigor and personal development. Faculty members, over 80% of whom hold advanced degrees, are dedicated to knowing every student and family. The school offers counseling services and maintains a commitment to meeting the demonstrated financial needs of students to ensure full access to all school programs, including arts, athletics, and global travel.

The school manages admissions for three distinct levels: Maternelle (ages 2–5), Lower and Middle School (K–Grade 8), and High School (Grades 9–12). The process requires a non-refundable 5% tuition deposit and a one-time $2,000 enrollment fee to reserve a space. Financial aid is available through the Clarity application process, which assesses family need based on income, assets, and debts, with specific deadlines for new and returning families.

The school operates on an academic calendar that includes designated breaks and specific events for each division: Maternelle, Lower School, Middle School, and High School. The calendar also tracks departmental activities, including athletics, arts, college counseling, and global travel. Families can access detailed schedules for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years via the school's online portal.

The school operates across two primary campuses in San Francisco: the Main Building at 150 Oak Street and the Maternelle campus at 1155 Page Street. The Oak Street campus includes a hands-on design lab, a science lab, and modern classrooms, while the Dennis Gallagher Arts Pavilion at 66 Page Street houses visual art classrooms, music rooms, recording studios, media labs, and a black box theater. The school also features a gymnasium and various makerspaces to support collaborative learning.

Students participate in over 40 student-led clubs, including a student-run radio station, activism groups, and special interest organizations like math, gardening, and filmmaking. Leadership opportunities are available through the Student Council, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Model United Nations, and various diversity councils. Additionally, the school supports student-led affinity groups and alliances to foster community and intra-group consciousness across all divisions.