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!
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
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.
Meet Our Board of Directors







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:
- Administration
- Preschool teachers
- Elementary teachers (K to 5)
- Middle School teachers
- Board of Directors

François Tregouet
Chef d'établissement - Principalprincipal@lfsd.org

Gerald Gaucher
Directeur Financier - DFOdfo@lfsd.org

Nathalie Leonelli
Directrice des inscriptions - Director of Admissionsadmissions@lfsd.org

Jasmine Cisneros
Directrice administrative - Preschool Directorpreschool.director@lfsd.org

Elda Mabusa
Assistante Administrative - Office Manageroffice@lfsd.org

Violette Dunn
Directrice pédagogique - Academic Directoracademics@lfsd.org

Julien Moncelet
Directeur du périscolaire - Enrichment Directorjulien.moncelet@lfsd.org

Pascal Biron
S.T.E.A.M. Directorpascal.biron@lfsd.org

Isabelle Faurie

Alison Ryan

Manon Noé

Alexandra Jeannin

Saïda Guentoul

Isabelle Emans

Anne Anacker

Gwladys Kouassi

Anaïs Bordes

Jennifer Bosley

Luis Moreno

Alexandra Coffi

Claire Werth

Soraya Fawaz

Amanda Foley

Ursula Jean Joseph

Anne-Sophie Nguyen

Céline Goncharoff

Claire Jalaguier

Dorothée Minne

Céline Lingelser

Frédéric Minne

Mylène Ghestin

Leonard Hernandez
US Department
John Cleary
US Department
Julien Moncelet
P.E. teacher
Gontran Dorvau

François Creusevaut
Music teacher
Emmanuel Parello
US Department
Guilaine Gauquelin

Pascal Biron

Jean-Christophe place

Barbara Regan

Julien Moncelet
P.E. teacher
François Creusevaut
Music teacher







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
1st-5th graders
6th-8th graders
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
Testimonials
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 ParentWe 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 ParentEver 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.