What is the age of enrollment?

Lyceum Kennedy French American school enrolls students Nursery through 11th grade (Manhattan Campus) and Nursery through 5th grade (Ardsley Campus).  

What if our family does not speak French?

Some LK students do not speak any French when they enroll in our school. However, our welcoming environment will allow all of them to learn French. LK provides a nurturing, friendly and safe environment where children learn the language through play, songs and class activities. All the teachers speak English and children know that whatever language they speak, their teacher will always listen. Support FLE (French as a Second Language) classes are also offered to non-French speakers. All correspondence from the school is done in both French and English, our teachers/school administrators are bilingual and use the language parents are the most comfortable speaking. It is important to note, that students whose families do not speak French are very successful students at Lyceum Kennedy.

Is there a program for students entering the Elementary grades without any formal French Education?

Yes, usually after Pre-school, other French bilingual schools do not accept students without being enrolled in another French school. Lyceum Kennedy creates a specific program for these students.

Will my child be able to transition into the American school system easily?

Yes, our quality education follows the New York State standards for all subject areas.  Providing these standards ensures that our students can easily transfer to any American school.

Will an immersion program in French affect my child's reading abilities in English?

Even though a child may show some lag in certain areas of English language skills at the beginning, this is temporary and usually disappears by 3rd grade. Then, the students will transfer their reading skills from French to English and demonstrate more self-confidence than other children their age.

We are coming from France and my child does not speak English. How will he adjust?

When enrolled at LK, children find a nurturing and caring school environment. During English classes, from Nursery to Kindergarten, our students are provided comprehensive immersion instruction;  the school provides English as Second Language (ESL) classes to help students improve their English Language skills quickly and efficiently and integrate them into the regular English class as soon as possible (Manhattan: Pre-kindergarten level - Ardsley: 1st grade).

How can non-French-speaking families support French Language acquisition?

Parents are not required to speak French at home for their children to be enrolled and progress at Lyceum Kennedy. However, they can encourage their children and support their learning process by buying, renting or borrowing French CDs, videos and books; subscribing to French children's magazines; using French-speaking baby-sitters; sending their children to our French Summer program; travelling to French-speaking countries; organizing play dates with French-speaking families; etc...

What if we speak a third language at home?

About one third of our students do speak a third language at home. Since bilingualism makes it easier to learn a third language, children whose family speaks a language other than French or English tend to flourish at Lyceum Kennedy.

Is there a uniform?

Yes, please review our uniform and dress code policy

Do you provide a lunch program?

We offer two options for lunch children can bring their lunch every day or they can register for our Hot Lunch program. Our lunch program caterer is Dinner in Hand. We use this local business because they offer a wide variety of meals and use fresh and natural products. Prices are reasonable and include an entrée which includes vegetables and dessert. Personalized menus are prepared for children with allergies or special diets. 

What are the benefits of bilingual education?

According to the United Nations figures, up to 80% of the world is bilingual. Being bilingual means more than just speaking two languages, it means that the individual also understands both cultures as well as the following:

• Fluency in two languages at an early age
• Ability to read earlier than monolingual peers
• Superior analytical skills
• Flexibility and creativity of thought
• Independent and critical thinking
• Stronger work habits as well as developing the independence of the child
• Appreciation and respect of other cultures
• Lifelong abilities to communicate across borders
• Adaptability to changes
• A greater ability to learn a third or more languages

• French is the third most common language on the Internet. Connect with pen pals, visit foreign websites and find student exchange opportunities.
• Get a head start on learning other Romance languages like Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian.
• French is a melodious and romantic language with a relatively quick learning curve.
• Develop critical, creative thinking and problem solving skills. French also provides the base for more than 50% of the modern English vocabulary, which improves performance on standardized tests.
• Open the doors to art, music, fashion, food, architecture and literature.
• Discover a new appreciation for other cultures in countries that speak French like: France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, Monaco and many African nations.
• Use French to pursue studies in Francophone countries.
• Promote language diversity throughout the world.
• Be more competitive in the national and international job market in disciplines like business, medicine, aviation, law, transportation technologies, global/international distribution and luxury goods.
• French is the official working language of the UN, NATO, UNESCO, the International Olympic Committee, the European Union, the International Red Cross and much more!