The French Academy of Minnesota - French School, Preschool and Elementary

Testimonials

Testimonials From The French Academy of Minnesota's Parents

After just 2 months at FAM, my daughter has a better French accent than I do!
(English-speaking Pre-K Parent)

When my children speak French to native French speakers they always say that they speak like they are French. "They sound like little French kids" is the comment we get…
(English-speaking Pre-K Parent)

After only 2 months, singing a French song to my parents..I felt so proud and just amazed how quickly a 3 year old's brain picks up the new language. I'm so excited to see the expansion of French. Thanks for such great teachers! (English-speaking Pre-K Parent)

We have gone to Europe with the kids the past three years. Last year, age 5, they did all the translating in France for me when I needed road directions or help ordering at restaurants. We have been at the school 4 years and each year they speak more and more French. This year, when having play dates with French students, they primarily speak French. It is a true gift for them to have this knowledge and capability at such a young age.
(English-speaking 1st grade parents)

The first impression I remember from my 1st visit to the school in October ‘07 was the familial atmosphere here at the school. Julien, 9 years old at that time, had just left France and was discovering here a reassuring and secure environment. I was also very surprised to read in the hallway so many texts written in French by the students. When I saw Julien’s 5th grade grammar book, I noticed it was exactly the same one he had left in his classroom in France a few days before. Another big surprise was when we first met his classmates: they were playing the translator between us and their American non French-speaking parents and did such a great job. We could not have better guides to discover the English language and the subtlety of cultural differences between our two countries. (French-speaking 6th grade parent)

We went to Europe and many people thought our daughter was French by her accent; even though she had never spoken French before the French Academy. (English-speaking K Parent)

The first time we visited the school, I met some “French” 4th graders in the hallway and talked to them in French for a while. I had at that time a huge pre-conceived concern that the level would be lower here because of the language issues. I thought you cannot expect the same from a native French child and from a child in early immersion… 98% of my fears vanished when I realized the “French” kids I had spoken to were 100% English speaking American without any French family background! Their accent was as good as my kids, born and raised in Paris! Living here, I no longer have any worry about the level being behind the French standards, the one my kids would have kept if they were still in France. And I’m impressed by the fluency they acquired in English and their English accent (better than mine!) (French-speaking pre-K and 1st grade parent)

The first time we heard the 3rd grade’s schoolmates of our daughter speaking French, we were impressed; they spoke very good French and were able to follow our conversation and answer as quick as a flash. FAM is a real French school, but with so many advantages compared to school in France: in France, even on the first day, parents have to leave their kids at the school door, or at the classroom door for preschoolers, while here we are welcomed into the school every day. We could even attend the first day in pre-K, which really helps with a smooth transition for both kids and parents. In France classes are often 25 to 30 students for a teacher alone with no assistant; there are often disciplinary and aggressive behavior problems, even in private school. Here, there is really less mockery and bullying, and much more respect among students. Teaching is really more individualized, strengths and weaknesses of every student are detected very early, and teachers really work with one child at a time to help him reinforce his skills. Communication is much better between teachers and parents, teachers are more open and available, and even communication between parents is easier. Parents’ opportunities to volunteer in the classroom throughout the year are almost non-existent in France. FAM is a wonderful opportunity for our kids to make the most of both systems. (French-speaking pre-school and 4th grade parent)

It has only been two months since we arrived in Minneapolis, but the way our two daughters have adapted to their class has made it much easier to accept the distance from friends and family back home. What they both really enjoyed is the way the class was waiting for them. Kids recognized them from pictures we had sent to the school and showed them around the classroom, all this in fluent French.Thank you for making our daughters’ experience in the US such an easy one. (French-speaking pre-school. 3rd and 4th grade parents)

Loving our children unconditionally is as natural as breathing. Having the patience, grace, and wisdom to help them realize their full potential, now that’s a humbling endeavor. One of the best decisions I have made in guiding my son thus far has been to enroll him in The French Academy of Minnesota. The cognitive and cultural benefits of the immersion approach are appreciable, but even more important to me is that these gifts are given to my son in the context of safety, comfort, and mutual respect. Both the classrooms and the school as a whole are well-managed. Information to the parents is complete and timely. The rapport between the students and the staff is exceptional. From the first meeting with FAM’s director, Veronique Liebmann, I could see that she knew children well. She knelt down to be on eye level with my son, she spoke kindly, with humor; this made him smile, and he left there wanting to see her again. I have found all the staff members at the French Academy to be equally knowledgeable and caring. Since that day, Veronique and her staff have always taken the time to answer my questions thoroughly and sensitively. I have often received calls at home simply to tell me how well my son is doing. This positive, proactive approach is shared with the children as well. On the occasions my son has difficulty advancing, his teachers are quick to assure me he will succeed, and I know they make every effort in helping him to do so. At FAM the partnership between home and school is strong. It’s wonderful to feel that my input as a parent is valued, just as I feel that my son is valued for the unique and wonderful individual that he is. During my initial exploration of this school I found the rooms to be bright, cheerful, and well-organized. Most impressive, however, is the fact that no matter the time I stop by, the rooms remain neat and inviting. As an educator I know that this kind of environment only happens when the children are participating in keeping the rooms clean, and this speaks volumes for the responsibility and stewardship being fostered.The curriculum is also well designed to stimulate the children’s curiosity and build their confidence through achievement. Each day I try to arrive a few minutes early since it is such a pleasure to peek in the classroom and see my son completely absorbed in his lesson.The songs, rhymes, and stories work wonders to increase the children’s fluency in the French language. It is to rewarding to hear my son singing French songs and using French phrases at home. When I pick my son up from school he is happy and full of energy. I know he is enjoying his time at FAM. Every day I ask him, “What was your favorite activity today?” and every day he replies “Oh, nothing, I liked it all”. At FAM I have the sense of not only being a part of an outstanding school, but also of being part of an educational community dedicated to helping all the children master outstanding skills and appreciate their own strengths and abilities. I don’t feel isolated in my efforts to help my son reach his potential. This gives me great peace of mind. To all those at FAM who make this possible, I would like to express a heartfelt “Merci beaucoup”. Keep up the great work. You are touching lives and making brighter futures for all our children. (Parent of a former student)

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