French Academy

9400 Cedar Lake Road South

Saint Louis Park, MN 55426

21 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-5
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 03, 2023

Both my kids attend FAM and our family is very happy with the whole experience so far. My daughter is in Maternelle and my son is in the tout petit program. FAM exceeded our expectations and we couldn’t be happier! The school is well established and very well equipped. Our daughter is thriving at FAM both socially and academically and our son is cared for by loving nurturing teachers and staff. The teachers are wonderful, highly educated and attentive. I feel my daughter is getting a high quality, one on one education in a safe and creative environment. She enjoys the after school soccer and piano lessons. The before and after school program is an amazing addition for parents with a busier lifestyle. My daughter understands and speaks french like natives and moreover we are very pleased with the diverse multicultural experience they’re exposed to everyday. Management is organized, involved and communicates well with parents
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2023

Both of my boys just began at the French Academie this year, and we are enrolling them both next year. My youngest is in the Tout Petit Program and my older is in the Maternelle. Our experience has been exceptional. My oldest came in at age four without much language experience and has begun speaking french and doing well with his comprehension. His teacher is fantastic and really teaches to his interests and abilities. He has really developed an interest in writing and letters with her guidance! I really appreciate that they incorporate hands-on Montessori materials in the classroom as well as the Reggio Emilia philosophy. I adore the creative projects they send home. There are no assigned seats or anything like that. The environment is very open and child-led. It is a very multicultural environment with families from various backgrounds. The kids take part in celebrating holidays from around the world. Another highlight is their new kitchen. The kids regularly make french treats and snacks. It's been fun to see the boys experience this part of french culture. Earlier this year, we enjoyed a school bake sale from the little chefs. I was a bit nervous to have our 16-month-old start but he is thriving and loves to go to school each day. There's also an app that is updated daily to update parents on the various activities of the day. My littlest really seems to enjoy the sensory station! The indoor gym is particularly great when the weather is too cold for the outdoor playground. I was able to sign up my oldest for soccer and piano lessons. We enjoyed watching them participate in a Halloween and holiday performance. The teachers are just really fantastic. I love the energy and creativity they bring to storytelling and projects. The director is also wonderful to work with. There's a lot of love that goes into this little school. It has been a joy to watch my boys experience so many opportunities. I can't think of a better place for them. I highly recommend it!
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2021

For several years our child attended this school and it had the most wonderful French teacher. She was beloved by the children and known to the entire French language immersion community. She taught at the French Acadmie for 20 years but was abruptly fired at the start of the pandemic--as was the rest of the remaining teaching staff. No reason given. The director of the school often chooses to be very secretive with school news and often makes abrupt changes to school policy without consulting the community at large. I paid the deposit for the 2020-2021 school year but had to cancel our registration due to the pandemic. For medical reasons, we would have been unable to attend. I asked the director if we could apply the deposit ($800) to another school year. I received no response. In fact, after that point, we received no further communication from the director. We paid our child's tuition in full for the rest of the school year (and the school was closed for months due to the pandemic)--and I never asked for a refund or complained in any way. But I was surprised that our request for the deposit to be transferred to the following school year was not just rejected, but not even responded to.Despite the high cost of the school, and even the rudeness of the director, we would probably have looked the other way and re-enrolled both of our children had the amazing teacher (Mdme. Devery) been still part of the staff. I am often sad thinking about this school because the good parts were really great, but sadly, I am going elsewhere for my childcare.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2019

The school has run into serious issues as of late since it closed its elementary program for the 2018-19 school year, leaving families with no other options for private french immersion. While the teachers are excellent, the mismanagement of the school (closing the grades programs with no notice, moving school buildings twice within the school year, etc) leaves parents wondering if the French Academy is still worth the great deal of time and money that is invested.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2018

Our family is thrilled with our experience at The French Academie where everyone from the director to the teachers to the assistants have a genuine heart for children and their well-being. Our daughter enrolled in the Tout Petit Programme (TPP) right after her second birthday, and we appreciated that the combination of a firm classroom structure and dependable rhythm made her feel safe to explore and engage. On top of that, Mme. Devery and her assistant took great care to nurture not only Emma’s individual growth (social, emotional, cognitive, language, etc.), but also the social dynamics of the class as a whole. Our daughter has now transitioned to La Maternelle and literally ran to school the other day, excited to see “la maitresse et tous les copains [the teacher and all the friends].” What more can you ask for as a parent? We look forward to our second daughter joining the FAC community next fall.
Submitted by other on December 07, 2015

I cannot say enough about the French Academy, its wonderful staff, and amazing teachers. I have a 19 month-old son in the Tout Petit Programme and he is absolutely thriving there. Not only is he learning so much each day in a bilingual environment, but he's having so much fun! We can barely get him to come home at the end of the day! He absolutely adores both of his teachers and we are so grateful to have found such a wonderful, nurturing environment for him.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2014

We are very glad that FAM exists in the MSP metro area, allowing our children to continue with an international French education during the time we are living here. It is a very small school (four classes from PS-5/CM2), with the predictable advantages and disadvantages that leads to. There is plenty of thought given to the learning experience, a very good faculty-student ratio (all native-speaking teachers), and great opportunity for meaningful parental involvement. If you have older children, or want a large school with a broad range of facilities, this may not be the right school, but for many families FAM provides an excellent option that combines high-level language learning, a warm sense of community, and a distinctively international outlook. Our children are happy there, and learning very well under the French system. Even beyond the second language, there are real social benefits to becoming familiar with a different culture, as the French one is. We are confident that our children have at FAM a place where they can develop personally in a supportive setting today, while helping to prepare themselves to function effectively in a global context in the years to come.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2014

The French Academy of Minnesota has been a wonderful place for our son to study, grow and actually learn French with native teachers. They are excellent educators, highly competent, develop meaningful relationships with each student, and have a small teacher/student ratio. With our pick of schools, we toured nationwide. This is by far one of the best. Many "immersion" schools are only partly so, and don't employ native speakers. We were often very disappointed. We based our decision to move to MN after touring the school. All faculty and staff work with parents to support specific needs of the students; and the parent inclusion and overall transparency is remarkable. My husband and I had decided that our son's education needed to be bilingual and at a true immersion school in order to get the advantages we want for him. We read and researched how immersion easily improves academic performance, adds to basic intelligence (aiding math and music skills) and makes learning all-around easier for the student. Though Spanish is common, French is much more useful for work and upper education considerations. Having benefitted from being bilingual, we want our son to have the same edge.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2014

My child is in his 6th year at French Academy and loves it. We initially chose this school because is was important that our child speak fluent French. We did not realize at the time the quality of his education. All the teachers are native speakers. Many of them hold masters degrees. They continue to work with our child to help him reach his full potential (even when he may not want to). Because of the small class sizes, the teachers understand each child's personality "quirks". There is a strong sense of community in the school. Our child is already bemoaning the day he will graduate and move on to another school. He wishes this one continued on past 5th grade.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2014

This school is "A French school in Minnesota", as I copy from one of their motto. If people are looking for a French school, this is the one. Either than that, if a family is looking for an excellent private school, this is not a choice. Pros: it is small, great community, good teachers, nice management. Cons: communication has to be improved, few children attending higher grades which leads to combined grades. At the end of the day my main questions are: are my kids happy? are they receiving a good education? Yes and yes. That is what it matters. Best thing to do when there is an issue to face, is to go and talk to the director. At first she may seems firm on her position and views, but she is smart enough to evaluate changes and /or improvement.
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2012

I agree with the review below. We are Americans and our child did not speak any french but the teacher worked hard and the difficulty was overcome. We are very happy to be at the French Academy. It is an outstanding value and my special thanks to the director for her vision. The after school programs are helpful for our busy lifestyle. I feel like the director always listens and responds fast to the concerns. The French Academy will teach parents french too, I am going to learn so I can be bilingual like my child! Good education, reasonable tuition, and a gifted director! The only choice.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2012

Our daughter started at French Academy in the middle of her kindergarten year. She knew only a few words in French. The other students in her class were, of course, way ahead, and she had trouble communicating at first. She would end up being physical, and causing trouble. The teacher knew to expect this and handled it expertly. Before long she was speaking well, and getting along much better. She also went through a time of requiring attention for ADD. French Academy's small class sizes are a huge benefit, because the teacher has the time to deal with difficulties that come up. We were kept informed all the time, and effective behavior programs were put in place. The single most helpful attribute is the genuine caring of the teachers and Veronique for each individual student. Our daughter was/is inspired and motivated to do her best, largely because of her great relationship with her teachers. Veronique cares very deeply, for the school, that she started in her basement, and for the students and families. She recently commented that she loves to listen to audiotapes of the children singing, and can pick out individual voices! Sound education, welcoming atmosphere! Wonderful!
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2012

We have had three children attend FAM, and we have been very, very happy with the school. The atmosphere is warm and loving, and the academic standards are high across the board. The French that is spoken is impeccable. Two of my children attended Concordia language camp during the summer, and the native French-speaking staff actually thought that both of our children grew up in France. We had the same reaction when we traveled with our children to France. You can imagine how happy this made us as parents (neither of us speak French to any degree). Our two children who have graduated have done very well in middle and high school. The school prepared them well in English, science, and math. Another thing that I like about the school is that the children are taught to be very courteous and well-mannered. You can point out the kids who go to FAM at a birthday party - they are generally the ones who nice to each other and the parents. I wouldn't hesitate recommending this school to any of our friends who are interested in an immersion education!
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2012

Our son has attended FAM preschool for a short time (a few months at the end of last year, and this year). I'm writing because it's a shame to have a few reviewers give a negative impression of this school. Our son's primary teacher was new last year and has returned for her 2nd year. We could not be more delighted by her skill in managing the children through engagement, her perfect diction, and her flexibility in adapting the set curriculum to make it work for the young children. We have not observed the associate teacher as long (though in our first meeting we were impressed by her calm competence), but she is a former FAM teacher who returned to Minnesota to take the position at the beginning of this year, which contradicts the idea that it is such a terrible place to work. Yes, the director comes across as rigid and is not the best communicator. People with strong vision are often like this. The newly promoted associate director more than compensates and is doing wonders to improve communications. FAM is good for our whole family, as their expectations for timeliness, consistency and manners begin to shape our days and our child.
Submitted by other on February 21, 2012

I am a former teacher at The French Academy of Minnesota and do not recommend it. The students and parents are outstanding but it is a risky choice. It is a Dickensian work environment, reflected by the chronic teacher turnover. The long-term mismanagement of the school has resulted in increasing instability; you may suddenly find that your child's grade is being combined with one or two others. As a reviewer below pointed out, this school is not accredited by the French Ministry of Education (only the daycare is accredited) nor by the State of Minnesota- I would ask yourself why this is the case. Your child s experience at this school will vary greatly from year to year. There are several better local choices; stable, accredited schools that offer more variety and resources, consistent delivery of curriculum, and a demonstrable commitment to improvement. Your child will develop an excellent level of French at this school but at the opportunity cost of a better overall education.
Submitted by other on January 24, 2012

An immersion education is a long-term commitment. Rather than detail my opinion, I suggest that you thoroughly research this institution and decide if it s right for you. Objective information is hard to come by because this school is not accredited by either the state of Minnesota or Education Nationale (French government). The child care/pre-school, however, is accredited by the French Government and regulated by the MN Department of Human Services. There are nine violations from 2011 on the DHS website, but little other information. This school, like all others, has strengths and weaknesses which can be difficult to discover. My advice to anyone considering this school is to ask detailed questions, and to request unchaperoned meetings with teachers and parents of your choosing before making a decision.
Submitted by parent on December 22, 2011

If your educational goal is to ensure that your child speaks fluent French, then this is the only school for you. It is lightyears ahead of other French schools in the area. If you would also like your child to develop the math and composition skills to easily transition to another school when FAM ends (sixth grade), then you will need to look elsewhere. Likewise, don't come here looking for a nurturing environment. There is a lovely group of families here, but the teachers come and go at an alarming rate. More than once, a teacher has had to be fired during the school year.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2011

I've been very happy with the education my child is receiving at the French Academy. Through the 5 years my child has been at this school, she has received a level of education and personalized attention she would not have received at any other school. The teachers and school administration have always addressed any concerns and have taken care of them promptly and to my satisfaction. The school has grown over the years and has suffered some minor growing pains as all organizations do, but FAM continues to work at keeping the small nurturing atmosphere and high quality education. If you are interested in having your child learn a second language through immersion, there is no other choice than the French Academy.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2010

The level of French at this school is excellent. The teachers are wonderful, the parents are amazing. Small class sizes mean excellent attention, but somewhat less variety than might be available at larger schools. The challenge is that the director is not well-liked. Her vision is deeply respected, but her management approach is not. Each year at least one staff member has left "abruptly." Meetings that involve teachers and the director are very strange -- none of the teachers ever say anything.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2010

The teachers at the French Academy are what I dreamt teachers would be -- intelligent, interesting, funny, exciting, and able to figure out ways to get the students to learn. The supportive environment helps the kids at the French Academy feel comfortable as they learn a language and learn the curriculum. This is our son's second year and we consider ourselves fortunate to have found the school. The size allows personalized teaching, and I love that it's a community. There is more going on here than just a first-rate education -- we (the whole family) experience many cultures in a positive way. The families are from all over the world. It's an amazing experience.