Welcome to the first issue of the year of 123 Soleil. Falling in line with this title, I would like to highlight three important points about this publication:

1  It gives our SDFAS educators the opportunity to communicate on the rich program we offer: special pedagogical projects, insights on educational topics, discussions on certain areas of our program...

2  It shows how an SDFAS education positively impacts the life of our students and their families through stories about alumni, current students or families.

3  It gives advice, shares useful links, or information about our network of schools.

Soleil I hope this publication will enlighten you, reassure you about the great choice you have made for your child and will encourage you to learn more about all the wonderful possibilities that a bilingual and multicultural education offers.

Bonne lecture!

SDFAS prides itself in turning out accomplished bilingual students. These are students who are not only proficient in two or more languages, but who also know how to study and how to be successful in school. They have curiosity, motivation, and the ability to approach a subject from a unique perspective. Their well-rounded background in languages, the sciences, and humanities has given them the foundation to delve deeper into those subjects they most appreciate, to pursue their passions and to forge into unfamiliar territory with strength and confidence.

Recently, we caught up with some of our alumni, who, regardless of whether they are in a public or independent high school, tell us they are doing a lot of homework, enjoying sports and clubs, and adjusting well to their new environment. All of the students who got back to us with their comments were happy to report that they are enrolled in advanced or honors classes in English, math (geometry or algebra 2), physics, biology, Spanish, or history. They were advanced enough to enroll in Spanish 5-6, which is third year Spanish, even if they only had the equivalent of one year of Spanish at SDFAS.

What was the resounding message they all had for us? They were very well prepared for high school, and they were well-prepared for advanced classes in high school, whether they were entering a big public school or a smaller independent high school.

What do they miss most now that they are in high school? They miss knowing their teachers very well, they miss the individualized attention their teachers at SDFAS gave them, and they miss the small class sizes where their friends were like family.

This year, we had six students who've enrolled in the pre-international baccalaureate programs at two local high schools: Mission Bay High School and San Diego High School's SIS (School of International Studies). The prestigious IB program is rigorous and challenging and allows our students to pursue the IB diploma, which is recognized by both American and European universities.

Max Greiner is currently in 9th grade at The Grauer School, an independent school in Encinitas, where he is enrolled in advanced biology and geometry. "I decided to join the Robotic club, which is a big commitment in terms of hours but I am enjoying every minute of it," he says. He is also taking an advanced English class and he says, "The class requires a lot of writing and essays, but I quickly realized  how well prepared I was and I can keep up with the rest of the students who clocked in a lot more hours than I did in writing and reading English in elementary and middle school. I also realized that the French school taught me to be a good critical thinker and my teachers often comment that I bring new ideas and a different way of looking at and thinking about what we are studying. It brings interesting discussion to the class." 

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Our school is not just a school: some may describe it as a small village established on the summit of a small mountain, with a Spanish name that one could translate as the "mountain of solitude." In fact it's quite the opposite, not only do we not feel alone, with more than 360 students populating the campus everyday, but the school's international community feel is contagious and parents quickly become accustomed to its openness, its international flavor, and they often express how much they like it.

Every October, the school holds an event to welcome new families, not on the summit of the mountain of solitude, but at a private home usually owned by the family of a board member, in a welcoming atmosphere with a family feel to it. New parents mingle with current parents who have a special role in the school, such as Board or PA members, with a glass of wine in one hand, tasty snacks in the other and a name tag with the grade level of their children around their neck.

This year was particularly well attended, and one thing I like to do while meeting new parents, is to ask why they decided to join our school. This year, one answer was unexpected, not the usual logical and commendable set of good reasons: the bilingual program, recommended by friends, the small class sizes, a safe environment for my child, close to home, an international program, etc.

What had triggered the decision to enroll in our school was more like a Bhutanese-style criteria: happiness! 

In this section, I like to present schools from our network in North America. 

There are 44 French-American schools. Some of them have more than one track, as their program may include an English/Spanish or English/Mandarin program, and call themselves "International School of...".  

It is the case with our sister school in Phoenix, as parents can also opt for the Spanish-American track, from pre-elementary to 5th grade.

I visited ISA (International School of Arizona) on October 31st, a date easy to remember as the children and the staff were all engaged in the traditional Halloween festivities.

I met Michelle Borie, Head of school, and Véronique Bevali, the Director of Curriculum. They mentioned to me that, considering they are the only school of our network in Arizona, SDFAS is their closest neighbor! Of course we also exchanged a lot of information about our schools.

ISA, funded 15 years ago, has now developed its program from PK0 to 5th grade, offering three languages. A majority of the families, 180 students out of 280, are following the French-American program. In Elementary, the French-American section has only one class per grade.

The campus is situated in Scottsdale, in two separate locations: a small campus for the pre-elementary, and the main campus, offering both pre-elementary and Elementary classes.

Their next challenge is to locate and acquire a new campus, as ISA is renting the current one and over the years, with the increase in enrollment, every room has become occupied. In addition the campus lacks facilities such as a sports field, a bigger playground, more parking spaces and an auditorium.

The school is also opening its Middle School, starting with 6th grade. Unfortunately, many students on the Spanish track leave the school after grade 4 or grade 5.  The curriculum will have to put more emphasis on the American program, in order to retain more students.

ISA is overall a very nice school, boasting a dedicated and professional  Faculty, a well equipped campus set in a very enjoyable suburb of Phoenix.

To learn more, visit their website at http://www.isaz.org/index.html

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