Lennen Bilingual School
Considering a Franco-American bilingual school in Paris for your child and wondering about our teaching approach, admissions, or daily life at Lennen? Here are the answers to the most common questions from French and international families who reach out to us.
Lennen offers a true 50/50 French-English immersion.
Both languages are used daily across subjects, not taught as add-ons.
Each class is co-taught by two native-speaking teachers, one French and one English.
Children learn, think, and express themselves naturally in both languages.
Not at all. Lennen has long experience welcoming non-French-speaking children.
We provide tailored language support from day one.
Children are never rushed or compared to others.
Most adapt quickly in a calm, supportive environment.
Children can join Lennen from age 2.
The school welcomes students from early childhood through Grade 5.
Each age group benefits from age-appropriate academic and emotional support.
No. Lennen intentionally maintains small class sizes.
This ensures personalized attention and meaningful teacher-student relationships.
Every child is known and supported individually.
Lennen blends the French National Curriculum with the American core curriculum.
This dual approach balances academic rigor and creativity.
Students gain strong foundations in both educational cultures.
Yes, Lennen is an independent (hors contrat) school.
This allows pedagogical freedom while maintaining high academic standards.
Families receive clear guidance and structure throughout the school journey.
Graduates move on to French, international, or bilingual middle schools.
Families are supported throughout this transition.
Students leave with strong academic skills and confidence.
Yes, depending on availability, children may enroll mid-year.
Each child benefits from a personalized onboarding process.
Transitions are handled with care and flexibility.
Emotional well-being is central to Lennen’s philosophy.
Teachers actively support confidence, emotional security, and self-expression.
A calm child is better equipped to learn and thrive.
Yes, Lennen offers age-appropriate after-school activities.
They extend learning through play and creativity.
The program supports working families’ schedules.
Lennen is located in Paris’s 7th arrondissement with 2 campuses : one located Quai d’Orsay for the Pre-School and one located avenue de Villars for the Primary School .
A central, safe, and residential neighborhood.
Ideal for local and international families alike.
Admissions begin with a personalized conversation with the school.
Each child’s background and needs are carefully considered.
The process is human, clear, and transparent.
Absolutely. Lennen has extensive experience with repatriating families.
Many students come from international or Anglo-Saxon school systems.
The 50/50 bilingual model maintains English while rebuilding French naturally.
The transition is designed to be smooth, both academically and emotionally.
No. Children are never made to feel behind or uncomfortable.
English remains a strong academic language from day one.
French is introduced or strengthened gradually, without pressure.
Building confidence is central to the school’s approach.
Lennen is not an IB school, but shares its international mindset and child-centered approach.
It also provides a strong foundation in the French academic system.
Many parents see it as a smart middle ground between international and French schooling.
This is very common for repatriated children.
Lennen provides tailored support to strengthen written French gradually.
Teachers are experienced with bilingual profiles where languages are uneven.
Progress is steady and pressure-free.
Yes. Lennen frequently welcomes newly arrived international students.
Language support is provided from the start.
Integration happens in a multicultural, caring environment.
Children are never singled out or excluded.
Yes. Many families complete the admissions process from overseas.
Virtual meetings help families understand the school and its philosophy.
The admissions team is used to international relocation timelines.
Yes, subject to availability.
Mid-year arrivals due to relocation are common.
Each child benefits from a personalized integration plan.
Yes. Lennen families represent many nationalities.
Many parents are expats or former expats.
The community is open-minded, supportive, and welcoming.
Yes. Students move on to French, bilingual, or international middle schools.
Families are supported during this transition.
Lennen students are known for their adaptability and strong bilingual skills.
No. Lennen welcomes both international and French families.
This diversity enriches daily school life.
Children integrate naturally into French culture while staying globally minded.
Lennen is the only truly Franco-American school in Paris, founded in 1960 by a Columbia University graduate. Unlike schools that simply offer extra hours of English, our model is built on balanced 50/50 immersion with two native-speaking teachers in every classroom, one French-speaking and one English-speaking. Our dual curriculum combines the French national education program with the American core curriculum. With a maximum of 15 students per class and 27 nationalities represented, every child is known individually by the entire teaching team.
Lennen Bilingual School is an independent private school (école privée hors contrat). This status allows us to offer a complete dual program — French national education and American curriculum — with truly equal bilingual immersion, something a government-contracted school could not provide in these proportions. We nonetheless follow the core learning standards set by the French Ministry of Education, ensuring our students are fully compatible with the French school system when they move on.
The school is led by Michelle Lennen, daughter of founder Patricia Lennen. This two-generation family continuity is rare in the Parisian education landscape and ensures the preservation of the school’s pedagogical DNA. Michelle personally knows each of the school’s 250 students, a reflection of the deeply human dimension at the heart of the Lennen project.
Every school day is split equally between French and English. Your child doesn’t just “take English classes” for a few hours — they learn, think, and interact in both languages through a structured, alternating model. Two native-speaking teachers are present in every classroom, one French-speaking and one English-speaking, each delivering their own curriculum. This approach builds lasting bilingualism where your child naturally thinks in both languages, not just classroom bilingualism that fades after graduation.
Lennen offers a dual curriculum combining the official French national education program and the American core curriculum. In French, students follow the same foundational learning as in any French public school (reading, writing, mathematics, world discovery). In English, they follow a structured program centered on language arts, literature, and English-language humanities. This dual program prepares students to succeed equally in the French school system or in an international setting.
Yes. Students who leave Lennen at the end of CM2 (5th grade) have fully mastered the French national education program and are perfectly prepared to enter a public, private, or international middle school. The dual curriculum is an advantage, not a risk: neuroscience research confirms that bilingual children develop above-average cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills. Our alumni go on to thrive in both the French school system and international institutions.
In grades 1 through 3 (CP-CE2), students work on reading and writing in both languages, phonics, mathematics, world discovery, visual arts, music, sports, swimming, and drama. In grades 4 and 5 (CM1-CM2), the program deepens with advanced French and English language arts, higher-level mathematics, history and geography, science, research projects, public speaking, and cultural outings. All instruction is delivered by two native-speaking teachers per class.
The process begins with an initial contact with the school, followed by a campus visit and a meeting with the school’s leadership. Lennen does not practice academic selection: the school is inclusive and welcomes every child with respect for their individual pace and unique qualities. Admissions are centralized and handled personally by the school’s director, ensuring individualized attention for every family from the very first conversation.
The school is open Monday through Friday from 8:35 AM to 4:30 PM. Parents can drop off their children starting at 8:35 AM. Classes run in the morning and afternoon with a supervised lunch break. Drop-off and pick-up take place at the campus corresponding to the child’s grade level.
Yes. After-school care is available for families who need it. Specific hours and arrangements are communicated during enrollment. Please contact the administration for details about the options available at each campus.
The elementary campus on Avenue de Villars has an on-site cafeteria where meals are freshly prepared every day. The school places particular emphasis on nutritional balance and the quality of meals served to the children. Details about the lunch program for each campus are shared with families during enrollment.
Lennen offers sports activities built into the school schedule, including swimming and drama. Regular cultural outings round out the program, taking full advantage of the school’s exceptional location in the heart of Paris’s 7th arrondissement, near many museums and cultural institutions. Details about additional activities are shared at the beginning of each school year.
We encourage you to ask this question directly during your campus visit or admissions meeting. Practical details like these are outlined in the enrollment packet.
Absolutely, and we actually recommend it. A campus visit is a key step in the Lennen admissions journey. It gives you the opportunity to discover the classrooms, meet the teaching team, and experience the school’s atmosphere firsthand. You can schedule a visit by contacting us directly by phone or through the website’s contact form.
By age 10, a student leaving Lennen is fully bilingual and bicultural, ready to continue in either the traditional French school system or an international environment. Our alumni successfully enter French public and private middle schools, international sections, and bilingual schools. They stand out for their independence, open-mindedness, ease of public speaking, and adaptability — qualities their middle school teachers consistently notice.
The school also offers a middle school program. We invite you to contact the school’s leadership for the most up-to-date information on available grade levels and admissions beyond 5th grade.
Parents are active partners in the Lennen community. Every class has class representatives — parent ambassadors who serve as a bridge between families and the school. Regular coffee mornings provide informal opportunities to connect with the teaching team. Throughout the year, the school organizes cultural celebrations that reflect the richness of the 27 nationalities represented. A dedicated welcome program helps new families settle in smoothly.
Lennen welcomes many expatriate families relocating to Paris every year. The school understands the challenges of international mobility and offers a dedicated welcome program to ease the transition for new families. The parent community, representing 27 nationalities, is an invaluable support network for newly arrived families. Don’t hesitate to contact us even before your arrival in France to plan ahead for your child’s enrollment.
