About Us

History

Le Lycée Français de San Diego began in 2003, as a small daycare center offering educational instruction out of a home in San Diego. As the school’s popularity began to increase, a larger space was needed. In 2006, LFSD/La Petite École opened at its former location in Clairemont, with five teachers, one administrator, and a handful of students. Over the past twelve years, the school has succeeded because of the professionalism of highly talented teaching staff and the high standard of education imparted to students. The school strongly advocates bilingual education, while embracing a synthesis of two centuries of traditional education and modern teaching methods. The school is registered as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation and accredited by the renowned French Ministry of Education.

Le Lycée Francais de San Diego is a unique French/English bilingual educational institution located in the central San Diego area, offering pre-K to 8th grade education to about 215 children from 29 nationalities. The goal of the French educational system is to develop analytical, reasoning and critical thinking techniques through the incremental acquisition of rigorous writing skills and broad academic knowledge at each level. The school’s children come from San Diego based households of all income levels, diverse linguistic backgrounds, and whose parents value the benefits of bilingual education and admire the ethos of the French culture and educational system.

Small Class Sizes

students per teacher

0 Preschool
0 Kindergarten
Average
0 Elementary
Average
0 Middle School
Average

Full Immersion

At LFSD, we believe strongly in a fully immersive program for French learners. As a result, our students acquire and retain French at staggering rates.

The Benefits of a Bilingual Education

The benefits of bilingual education on a child’s mind have long been established. Some of these benefits include:

  • Canadian researchers have found on average that bilingual students have an IQ 14 points higher than monolingual students.
  • Bilingualism improves memory, decision making and cognitive skills.
  • Second language comprehension enhances music and mathematical skills.
  • Children between the ages of 0-7 have the best natural retention of second languages.

More than just a Second Language

Along with the practical advantages of raising a bilingual child, there are also several other benefits that come with learning a new language.

  • Discovering a new culture
  • Developing different ways of thinking
  • Encouraging tolerance and worldliness
  • Receiving a better chance of succeeding in school
  • Expanding a student’s world through communication

The school’s promotion of French language instruction is based on the long-standing success and marriage of language immersion and on a structured curriculum. At Le Lycée Francais de San Diego, students learn more than French and English languages, they learn how to

  • Be respectful to each other
  • Be respectful to adults
  • Be polite
  • Have good manners

The program derives its structure from studies that establish the need of boundaries and routine for promoting a nurturing learning environment for children. The result is happy children who are eager to learn and who enjoy being at school. By embracing another culture, the students of LFSD are developing:

  • Tolerance
  • Patience
  • Understanding

We Owe Them Our Success

LFSD is grateful for the professionalism and the dedication of teachers like Florence L., Isabelle F., Alice C, Ophélie D., Anthony B., Hannah N., and Thierry Pasquet (our founder)  who laid the foundation for LFSD and paved the way for other teachers. It is due to their great work that Le Lycée Français de San Diego earned its accreditation and excellent reputation.
LPE we owe them

Meet Our Board of Directors

Heline Mirzakhanian

Heline Mirzakhanian

Chair

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Cameron Hibbert

Cameron Hibbert

Treasurer

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Lindsey Head

Lindsey Head

Chief Financial Officer

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Tracy Turfait

Tracy Turfait

Mechanical Engineer

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Alyssa Andersen

Alyssa Andersen

Attorney

View Full Bio

Amandine Berro

Amandine Berro

Data Science & Analytics

View Full Bio

Aurore Watts

Aurore Watts

Compliance Consultant

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Board Communication

Board Meeting Minutes

Meet Our Team

The success and happiness of our students all depend on our wonderful, dedicated teachers and staff. These talented and caring professionals are the backbone of LFSD, and instill respect, understanding and a sense of family in our halls and classrooms. Meet our spectacular team:

François Tregouet

François Tregouet

Chef d'établissement - Principal

principal@lfsd.org

Gerald Gaucher

Gerald Gaucher

Directeur Financier - DFO

dfo@lfsd.org

Nathalie Leonelli

Nathalie Leonelli

Directrice des inscriptions - Director of Admissions

admissions@lfsd.org

Jasmine Cisneros

Jasmine Cisneros

Directrice administrative - Preschool Director

preschool.director@lfsd.org

Elda Mabusa

Elda Mabusa

Assistante Administrative - Office Manager

office@lfsd.org

Violette Dunn

Violette Dunn

Directrice pédagogique - Academic Director

academics@lfsd.org

Hervé Aka

Hervé Aka

Directeur du périscolaire - Enrichment Director

enrichment@lfsd.org

Pascal Biron

Pascal Biron

S.T.E.A.M. Director

pascal.biron@lfsd.org

Isabelle Faurie

Isabelle Faurie

Alison Ryan

Alison Ryan

Helena pouyau

Helena pouyau

Alexandra Jeannin

Alexandra Jeannin

Saïda Guentoul

Saïda Guentoul

Isabelle Emans

Isabelle Emans

Anne Anacker

Anne Anacker

Gwladys Kouassi

Gwladys Kouassi

Anaïs Bordes

Anaïs Bordes

Jennifer Bosley

Jennifer Bosley

Luis Moreno

Luis Moreno

Lilyan Ching

Lilyan Ching

Saïda Bounouader

Saïda Bounouader

Anne-Sophie Nguyen

Anne-Sophie Nguyen

Céline Goncharoff

Céline Goncharoff

Estelle Patault

Estelle Patault

Dorothée Minne

Dorothée Minne

Céline Lingelser

Céline Lingelser

Frédéric Minne

Frédéric Minne

Mylène Ghestin

Mylène Ghestin

Leonard Hernandez

Leonard Hernandez

US Department
John Cleary

John Cleary

US Department
Hervé Aka

Hervé Aka

P.E. teacher
Frédéric Pouyau

Frédéric Pouyau

François Creusevaut

François Creusevaut

Pascal Biron

Pascal Biron

Jean-Christophe place

Jean-Christophe place

Barbara Regan

Barbara Regan

Hervé Aka

Hervé Aka

Mylène Ghestin

Mylène Ghestin

Heline Mirzakhanian

Heline Mirzakhanian

Chair

View Full Bio

Cameron Hibbert

Cameron Hibbert

Treasurer

View Full Bio

Lindsey Head

Lindsey Head

Chief Financial Officer

View Full Bio

Tracy Turfait

Tracy Turfait

Mechanical Engineer

View Full Bio

Alyssa Andersen

Alyssa Andersen

Attorney

View Full Bio

Amandine Berro

Amandine Berro

Data Science & Analytics

View Full Bio

Aurore Watts

Aurore Watts

Compliance Consultant

View Full Bio

The French System

LFSD offers the entire French educational experience. We base our curriculum on the French Ministry of Education system, while instilling French culture and values to mold our students into valuable members of the global community. LFSD and its teachers are overseen by the French Ministry of Education with inspectors visiting our school to evaluate our curriculum, qualifications of the teachers and the everyday operations of the school.

The goal of the French educational system is to develop analytical, reasoning and critical thinking techniques through incremental acquisition of rigorous writing skills and broad academic knowledge at each level. Our early-immersion language program reinforces these skills. The French Ministry of Education divides preschool and elementary school into three cycles of education (ranging from ages 2 to 11). A cycle may represents 2 or 3 years for the students to master all concepts and knowledge defined by the Ministry of Education. Visit our Academics page to learn more about our curriculum and Cycles.

Languages Used in Class

2-4 years old

100%
French

1st-5th graders

80%
French
20%
English

6th-8th graders

70%
French
25%
English

Parents’ Handbook

The Parents Handbook includes the rules and regulations of LFSD

  • CURRICULUM
  • ADMISSIONS
  • SCHOOL SESSIONS, PROCEDURES AND SCHEDULES
  • SCHOOL POLICIES / GENERAL RULES
  • COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILIES
  • FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  • HEALTH POLICIES
  • EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
  • MAP OF SCHOOL

This document is available upon request.

Our Teachers Home Countries

0 France
0 U.S.

Testimonials

We have two children at La Petite Ecole (former name of LFSD) and absolutely love it. The teachers are passionate about their work, very patient with the children, and are great observers in the classroom. But most importantly, they truly love the kids, and provide them with a warm, family atmosphere. Our children are blossoming here, and we’re so excited!

Scott
La Petite Parent

The academic programs are wonderful and very well rounded. This year, my son’s art, music and French classes were especially interesting. Not only that, but his English has improved tremendously, too.

Jeanette
La Petite Parent

We are so happy with La Petite Ecole (former name of LFSD)! Our daughter has learned so much, like counting and the alphabet, but also values like respect and politeness. She is more independent now, and can’t wait to learn and have new experiences, and we have La Petite Ecole (former name of LFSD) to thank for that.

Richard
La Petite Parent

Ever since enrolling my children in La Petite Ecole (former name of LFSD), they are constantly smiling, singing and drawing. They are so happy and eager, they can’t wait to get to school every day. We highly recommend this school to anyone.

Luc
La Petite Parent

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