The École
Secular
Updated July 2026
The École is an independent, French-American bilingual school located in New York City’s Flatiron District, serving an international community of students from Pre-Nursery through 8th grade.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
The school aims to develop well-informed, well-rounded, responsible, and compassionate students who can connect to a world of possibilities. Its educational approach is rooted in the belief that a deeply bi-literate and bi-cultural education allows students to understand the world from two perspectives, fostering an internationally minded community.
Programmes
The school offers a bilingual curriculum that integrates the French and American educational systems, with instruction provided by native-speaking, qualified faculty in both French and English. The academic program spans from Maternelle (Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten) through Middle School (6th to 8th grade), covering humanities, math, science, and cultural enrichment. The school is fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education and is a member of the AEFE network, ensuring alignment with international standards for French education abroad.
Outcomes
The school's bilingual and bicultural program prepares students for success in diverse educational environments. Graduates are well-positioned to transition to competitive high schools, including the Léman High School, which offers a French-American, bilingual IB curriculum.
Student support
Learning support
The school maintains a counseling department led by a psychologist to support student well-being. Additionally, the school employs specialists, including STRIVE teachers, to provide targeted support and meet the individual needs of students.
Tuition & fees
No published fee schedule was found for this school.
Admissions
The school accepts applications for Pre-Nursery through 8th grade. Prospective families are encouraged to attend an Open House, and private or remote live tours are available upon request by contacting the admissions office. The school provides information on tuition, fees, and financial assistance programs, including support through the French government.
Calendar
The school operates on a traditional academic calendar with scheduled holidays and breaks. The school year is punctuated by various community traditions and milestones, and parents are kept informed through regular communications and a dedicated parent portal.
Facilities
About the campus
The school operates two buildings in the Flatiron District: a Maternelle building at 206 Fifth Avenue for Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten, and an Elementary & Middle School building at 115 East 22nd Street for 1st to 8th grade. The Maternelle building features light-filled classrooms, multi-purpose rooms, and a rooftop playground and garden. The Elementary & Middle School building provides 46,000 square feet of space, including sixteen classrooms, a library, and dedicated facilities for performing arts, music, art, and STEM/design & technology. Students also utilize nearby public spaces like Madison Square Park and the Augustus St. Gaudens Playground, as well as sports facilities at Baruch College.
Co-curriculars
The school offers a variety of after-school programs and camps designed to enrich the student experience. These activities are led by the school's professional staff and provide opportunities for students to engage in learning outside of the traditional classroom setting.
- Jean-Yves VesseauHead of School
Jean-Yves Vesseau serves as the Head of School at The École. He regularly communicates with the school community through his weekly letters.
- Mireille DesalmDirector of Admissions
Mireille Desalm is the Director of Admissions. Originally from Brussels, Belgium, she joined the administrative team in August 2012 and holds an associate degree in language.
- Stéphanie AntoineHead of the Counseling Department
Stéphanie Antoine is a psychologist and the Head of the Counseling Department. She holds a master’s in philosophy and a professional master’s in clinical psychology from University Paris X Nanterre – La Défense, and has been working with children in the French community in New York since 2009.
- Julien BudrinoMaternelle Curriculum Lead
Julien Budrino is a teacher who is currently driving the Maternelle Curriculum and ensuring its effective implementation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in modern French literature and is a graduate of the Dante Agostini Drum School.
- Ferebory DoreExtra-Curricular Program Manager
Ferebory Dore is the Extra-Curricular Program Manager at The École.
AEFE