Admissions Overview
Welcome to The French American Academy!
Dear Families,
A heartfelt warm welcome from the Admissions Office of The French American Academy!
Thank you for considering offering your child(ren) an international education at our French bilingual school in New Jersey!
At The French American Academy, your children, our students, will be immersed in an international environment, surrounded by a diverse community of cultures, languages, concepts, and ideas, which will challenge them to explore the world from a global perspective. Our goal is to educate our students as citizens of the world, empowering them to embrace challenges and contribute to making the world a better place. We aim to develop respectful, curious, healthy, and resilient future leaders. Our students are inspired to cultivate a growth mindset and wisdom that will enable them to lead fulfilled lives with integrity and purpose.
The FAA Admissions team is here to support you through the significant milestone of choosing a school for your child(ren), and this section will provide you with all practical information about our Admissions process.
We thank you for visiting our website and look forward to welcoming you at one of our campuses soon!
Warm regards,
Kalyana Maréchal, Ph.D,
Director of Admissions
High School Launch! Accepting Grade 9 Applications
Jersey City’s ONLY IB Candidate* High School
We are excited to announce the opening of our High School and are now accepting applications for Grade 9. Our High School welcomes students of all levels of French proficiency, from those with no prior knowledge of French to native speakers. The French American Academy is a Candidate School* for the Middle Years Program. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that FAA believes is important for our students.
*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme, or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org.
How to Visit the School
In-Person Visit
During our 1hr in-person campus visits, you will:
- Meet our Administrators & Teachers
- Visit the campus & see the facilities
- Learn about our curriculum & teaching philosophy
- Ask any & all questions you may have
Virtual Info Session
During a 30 minute Virtual Information sessions, you will:
- Meet our Admission Director
- Learn about our curriculum and teaching philosophy
- Discuss whether the FAA is a good match for your child
- Ask any & all questions you may have
Upcoming Events & Tours
Information to Know Before Applying
Cutoff Date - Dec. 31st
At our French bilingual school in New Jersey, we adhere to the French cutoff date of December 31st. As a result, children born after October are eligible to enroll a year in advance.
Age Requirement
The earliest a student can enroll at The French American Academy is at 2 years and 6 months of age, in PreK-2.
You Don't Need to Speak French to Enroll
French knowledge is not a requirement to enter Preschool or Kindergarten.
Starting in 1st grade, we offer an Accelerated French Program (AFP) in both Elementary and Middle School for students with no prior knowledge of French. Strong English language skills and a willingness to learn are required, as the program is academically rigorous and fast-paced. Students who are bilingual or demonstrate strong language aptitude are considered strong candidates for the program.
Potty-Training
Children entering PreK-3 are required to be potty trained, but it is not required for PreK-2.
Recommendation Form & Report Card
We require parents to provide us with a teacher’s recommendation if a student attended a previous preschool or daycare. Starting from 1st grade, we also require report cards at our French bilingual school in new jersey.
Applying
Please visit our Steps To Apply page for more information on the admissions process to our French bilingual school in new jersey
2025-26
Applications are being accepted.
2026-27
Applications will start being accepted in summer 2025.
- Please Select the Desired Campus to Apply -
Why The French American Academy?
Well-Rounded Curriculum
We go beyond academics with overnight and weeklong field trips to the Arizona desert, New Orleans’ lagoon, historic sites in Quebec, and much more!
Math & Science-Focused
With dedicated STEM teachers, a math club, and our applied math curriculum, our students are challenged to understand what makes the world function.
Structured Learning
Our play/project-based approach engages student to collaborate and to develop innovative solutions to real world problems.
True Bilingual Education
Our bilingual curriculum not only allows our students to speak, read, write, count, & think in both languages, but it also gives students a cognitive & cultural edge over their peers.
Highly Trained Teachers
Our teachers have a minimum of 3+ years of experience, a masters degree, and they are ALL native speakers of French and English language.
Accredited Education
Our accreditation by both the French & American education authorities demonstrating our commitment to meeting the highest standards in French & American education.
Behind the Scenes at the FAA
Second grades taking their notebooks and imaginations to Hamilton Park for an outdoor writing session 🌳✏️
The prompt started with:
When I close my eyes, I hear… 👂
When I close my eyes, I smell… 👃
When I open my eyes, I see… 👀
From there, each student added their own details using vivid adjectives.
Some wrote poems, others told stories or captured the moment around them 📝✨
It was simple, creative, and filled with fresh air and big ideas 🌞📚
Activities like this help students strengthen their writing skills, expand their vocabulary, and learn how to express themselves with clarity and emotion. It’s also a chance for them to connect their learning to the world around them, something we value deeply at the French American Academy.
#FrenchAmericanAcademy #CreativeWriting #BilingualEducation #HamiltonPark #OutdoorLearning #2ndGradeWriters #JerseyCitySchools
🍎 Teacher Spotlight: Betty Diodio – PK2 French Teacher – Jersey City, NJ
Meet Betty, our warm and energetic French teacher for PK2 in Jersey City! Originally from a small town in eastern France, Betty brings a rich multicultural background and years of experience from the French National Education system.
She holds a master’s degree in the science of education and passed the CRPE, France’s competitive teaching exam.
With her creative, caring, and playful style, Betty makes learning joyful and meaningful for our youngest students, encouraging early language development through games, stories, and imagination.
Whether she’s directing mini theater plays or sparking spontaneous hugs at morning drop-off, Betty creates a classroom where confidence blooms and children thrive.
Read more about Betty here: https://faacademy.org/team/betty-diodio/
#TeacherSpotlight #FrenchAmericanAcademy #EarlyChildhoodEducation #BilingualLearning #PK2Teacher #JerseyCitySchools #LearningThroughPlay #FrenchImmersion
🎤 Le Frenchy Comedy Club 2025 is coming to Times Square and FAA families get $5 OFF!
Get ready to laugh with 5 francophone comedians, 4 hilarious shows, all in one secret room at Iron Bar & Lounge (713 8th Ave, NYC) – June 25 & 26!
🗓 Choose your night. Use code FRENCHAMERICANACADEMY on Eventbrite and save $5 on your ticket!
Because at the French American Academy… even teachers know when it’s time to switch from spelling tests to stand-up! 😉
🎟 Check the Instagram account – @frenchycomedyclub
📍 @ironbarloungenyc
🤝 In collaboration with @frenchycomedyclub
#FrenchyComedyClub #NYCEvents #FrancophoneNYC #FrenchAmericanAcademy #BilingualSchool #ComedyNight #FrenchHumor #JerseyCity #EnglewoodNJ #NYCStandup
The last day of school ended on the sweetest note… with free ice cream for every student, thanks to our incredible PTO! 🍦🎉
After a year filled with learning, growth, creativity, and friendship, this simple treat brought big smiles and a well-earned moment of celebration.
Whether it was their first year with us or their last before moving up, our students left with happy hearts and sticky fingers.
We’re so grateful to our PTO for organizing this thoughtful surprise and for all the support they provide throughout the year. Their energy, generosity, and commitment to our school make a real difference in the lives of our students and teachers.
To all our families, thank you for being part of this bilingual and international journey with us. Your trust and partnership are what make our community so strong.
Wishing every student a joyful and relaxing summer. We hope it’s filled with curiosity, laughter, and time to recharge. See you in September! ☀️📚✈️
#FrenchAmericanAcademy #LastDayOfSchool #ThankYouPTO #HappySummer #BilingualSchool #JerseyCitySchools #SchoolCommunity #SummerCelebration #BilingualEducation #InternationalSchool
🇺🇸 5th Grade Explores Philadelphia!
Our fifth grade students took a meaningful journey into American history with a full-day field trip to Philadelphia—leaving behind the rain in Jersey City for a day packed with learning, discovery, and connection.
The day began at the Museum of the American Revolution, a modern and interactive space in the heart of the historic district. Students explored engaging exhibits, examined Revolutionary War artifacts , and were especially captivated by the immersive viewing of George Washington’s war tent, a powerful symbol of leadership and sacrifice.
In the Hall of Portraits and Mirrors, students saw their own reflections among images of changemakers—reminding them that the future is in their hands.
After a picnic lunch in Independence Park, the class stopped by the Liberty Bell, followed by a visit to the Betsy Ross House, where they learned the story behind the creation of the American flag. From there, they strolled down Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the U.S.
To wrap up the day, they visited the Keys to Community sculpture honoring Benjamin Franklin, a figure who continues to inspire curiosity, innovation, and civic spirit.
This hands-on history experience felt especially meaningful as students begin their own transition from elementary to middle school—gaining not just knowledge, but a deeper understanding of the ideals of independence and community.
#FAAFieldTrip #PhiladelphiaAdventure #5thGradeExplorers #LearningBeyondTheClassroom #BilingualEducation #HistoryComesAlive #MuseumOfTheAmericanRevolution #StudentVoices #ElfrethsAlley #LibertyBell #BetsyRossHouse
✨ Preschoolers Bring The Little Prince’s Lessons to Life in End-of-Year Show! ✨
This year, our Jersey City Campus took inspiration from the timeless tale of The Little Prince and our littlest stars took center stage!
After reading the story in class, our preschoolers explored imaginary planets, sharing lessons about kindness, courage, hope, and friendship through their performances. Each moment reminded us all of the values that truly connect us.
💫Elementary School Shined Too!
From the energetic Cheerleaders Grandes & Petites kicking off the night with Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” and Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off”…
To the 5th grade’s medley, 3B’s “En Sortant de l’École”, and each grade’s unique routines—Alphabet Song (Usher), Machine Routine (Drehz), Joséphine, “On Savait” (La Grande Sophie), and lively medleys from 2B, 3A, and 4B, every performance sparkled with creativity and teamwork.
And who could forget the teachers’ finale—rocking out to “Don’t Stop Me Now”? 🎤
We are so proud of every student and teacher for bringing joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories to our stage.
Here’s to a year filled with learning, friendship, and the magic of childhood! 🌟
#TheLittlePrince #PreschoolMagic #EndOfYearShow #JerseyCity #FrenchAmericanAcademy #ProudStudents #Teamwork
🎭✨ A Splash of Pride, A Wave of Change! ✨🎭
This year, our Englewood Campus took a deep dive into the theme of Water, bringing to life a magical show about a determined camel’s global quest for water, ending in the heartwarming moment when our camel finds hope in Burkina Faso.
Inspired by real impact, the story celebrated the inauguration of a new well, made possible by our students’ incredible fundraising for the Georgie Badiel Foundation! 💧🌍
We are so proud of our students for embracing this powerful message, reminding us all that clean water is a right, not a privilege.
Through creativity, teamwork, and compassion, they learned about empathy, global citizenship, and the difference every drop of effort can make.
Every performance, every song, every line brought a ripple of change that will keep spreading. Here’s to a year filled with inspiration, action, and the belief that together, we can create a world where clean water flows for all. 💙
Thank you to our teachers for all the amazing work on decors and choreographies !
#WaterForAll #EndOfYearShow #FrenchAmericanAcademy #ProudStudents #GeorgieBadielFoundation #kingADifference
🎢 Graduation celebration, FAA style!
Our 8th graders marked the end of middle school with a thrilling day at Six Flags — full of laughter, memories, and rollercoasters!
We’re so proud of everything they’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see what’s next.
#FrenchAmericanAcademy #FAAClassOf2025 #MiddleSchoolGraduation #BilingualEducation #SixFlagsCelebration #MakingMemories
Frequently Asked Questions
At our French bilingual school in new jersey, the Admissions Process is comprised of 3 steps :
- Online Application ($140 application fee)
- Admissions Interview (Both with Parents/Guardians and Child)
- Notification of Decision
For more details please visit our Steps to Apply Page.
Yes, we accept students during the year, given the availability of spots.
