LES LILAS’S HISTORY
Les Lilas opened its doors in September 2015 on the initiative of a French math teacher living in the United States and her business-minded American sister-in-law. Having extraordinary children who didn’t necessarily “fit in,” tired of seeing their children’s joy and love of learning dissipate year after year, and believing in the merits of their pedagogical vision, they embarked on this ambitious adventure.
Their mission was to create and develop a school adapted to the individual needs of children, based on a pedagogy that allows each child to transcend the pre-established limits of traditional schools and to reach their full potential in school and in life.
In our school’s name—Les Lilas French Bilingual Community School—each word is important and deeply meaningful.
LES LILAS (LILAC) because in the language of flowers it means joy and a desire to learn.
FRENCH because we are committed to the curriculum of the French Ministry of Education.
BILINGUAL because we want to take into consideration our local context and provide quality instruction in English as well. We believe it’s important to encourage children to develop dual linguistic and cultural skills—skills that will allow them to flourish and succeed not only in a French environment, but also in an American one.
COMMUNITY because we believe that teachers, parents, and children should learn together. We are convinced that one of the keys to academic success is parents’ involvement. There are a number of ways parents can contribute to the school community, including volunteering by helping teachers set up monthly learning journeys (field trips), by organizing traditional cultural celebrations, or by leading weekly art, science, or sports/fitness workshops.
Les Lilas French Bilingual Community School respects the principles of secularism, neutrality, and inclusion. We include all children regardless of origin, particularity, or need, and we offer a non-competitive, respectful environment that listens to each and every child.