Admission to the Lycée Français is strongly guided by our educational commitment to maintaining a student body that best matches our mission and philosophy. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in admitting students of all races, religions, national and ethnic origins, and socioeconomic backgrounds. As a result, our student body consists of students from diverse backgrounds, which in turn enriches the entire school community.

Admission Policies and Procedures

The Lycée is interested in recruiting families who understand and are committed to the philosophy of the school. To initiate the admission process, please contact our Director of Admissions, Delphine Lenoir at 773-665-0066 ext. 22 (or at info@lyceechicago.org who will go over the application requirements and will arrange a school tour. The purpose of this mandatory visit is to educate families about our program and to better recruit families who demonstrate a strong commitment to a dual-language, multicultural learning environment.

The Director of Admissions will provide you with the Application for Admission form, as well as information on deadlines and available space. A 75-dollar non-refundable application fee is required with each application. We strongly encourage prospective parents to apply as early as possible, especially for our pre-school program.
All admission information is kept strictly confidential and made available only to the head of the school, the Director of Admissions, and authorized staff or faculty (if necessary).

Because of the demands of our dual-language program, English-speaking students must either enter before 1st grade or, starting this fall, the Lycée will have in place a Welcoming Class to be able to accept non French speaking students from grade 1 to 5. In this Welcoming Class students acquire proficiency in French before integrating the regular curriculum classes.

Pre-Kindergarten, Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten

Pre-Kindergarten:
When reviewing applications, we consider languages spoken in the home, as well as the diversity and gender balance of the class. Our age cutoff is Dec. 31. It is also required that the child be toilet-trained. Review of applications for the pre-kindergarten class begins in early January. Letters of Acceptance are sent out during the month of February. Contracts are due by March 31.

Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten:
At these levels, we require a classroom observation in which we look for normal language development, as well as age-appropriate social and emotional development. These observations are scheduled in February. Letters of Acceptance, as well as the Enrollment Contract for the junior-kindergarten and kindergarten classes are sent out during the first week of March. Contracts are due by March 31.

Elementary, Middle and High School

Applicants seeking admission to grades 1 through 12 must be transferring from another school in the French system. They are required to provide us with a completed Application for Admission form and their most recent academic transcript.

Applicants not transferring in from the French system are tested in order to determine whether the Lycée is an appropriate school for them.

Welcoming Class

Since 1991, the Lycée Français de Chicago has welcomed gifted children from French and English speaking families at the pre-school levels, and only French speaking children in older grades.

Starting this fall, for the first time, the Lycée will admit both French and English speaking children up to grade 5. Students who are new to French are part of a welcoming class with just 5 to 10 selected students. These students will be taught the French language intensively. After a few months or when their language skills are solid enough to follow the Lycée’s French curriculum, they will integrate our regular classes.

Students applying to the Welcoming Class are required to meet with the Elementary School Director and provide the Lycée with a completed Application for Admission form and their academic transcripts for the past two years. Applicants may be tested to enter the Welcoming Class.

Enrollment Contracts

All families of accepted applicants, as well as returning students receive the Enrollment Contract for the following school year in February. They are asked to return the Enrollment Contract by March 31. All new students, as well as pre-kindergarten, junior kindergarten, kindergarten, and 5th and 9th grade students enrolled at the Lycée, must provide the school with an Illinois Health Certificate form.