ADMISSIONS

A student’s grade level is determined by birth date. A child must be potty-trained and at least two-and-a-half years (30 months) of age to enter TPS. French International is not licensed to care for children who are younger than 30 months. For preschool and up, the School adheres to the Oregon cut-off date of September 1. A child must be three years of age by September 1 to enter preschool, four years of age to enter prekindergarten, five years of age to enter kindergarten, and so forth. The French government places the cut-off date at December 31 of each year. Children who are French nationals who have already been placed in the school system in France according to the French cut-off date may continue in the same grade upon enrolling at French International. 

The number of openings varies from year to year.

In the Early Childhood/Maternelle, TPS (early preschool for 2 1/2 year-olds) and preschool classes have the largest number of openings, followed by prekindergarten and kindergarten classes. Kindergarten is the last entry point for non-French speaking students until Middle School.

Openings in the Lower School (1st-5th grade) vary based on the year.

In the Middle School, 6th grade generally has the largest number of openings, followed by 7th and 8th grade, respectively.

Children must be fully potty-trained on the toilet before they can begin attending class. French International is not licensed to care for children who are not potty-trained.

If a child coming from a school that is not accredited by the French Ministry of National Education applies to our Lower School program (1st-5th grade), an entrance assessment and classroom visit will be required.

Entrance exams are not required for entrance into any other grade level. 

Part of the application process for TPS-5th grade is an Admissions Meeting. This is scheduled after an application and fee have been submitted and includes at least one of the applicant's parents or guardians, the Early Childhood/Maternelle Division Head, the Lower School Division Head, and the Director of Admissions. This meeting will help assess the family’s interest in French International and the student’s readiness for the program. It also provides the family the opportunity to ask questions in order to make an informed decision about enrolling at the School.

The applicant child is not required to be present at the Admissions Meeting; however, he/she may be asked to come to campus for a classroom visit.

Admissions Meetings are not required for admission to the Middle School; however, applicants are expected to spend a full day on campus attending and participating in classes with Middle School students. This Student Visit Day can be scheduled after an application and fee have been submitted.

French International seeks students of average to above-average ability who can contribute to and benefit from its challenging and rewarding curriculum insofar as we can support them. The School strives to admit students whose families value the advantages of an internationally-oriented curriculum offered in a small class environment.

Students are selected for admission on the basis of:

• academic potential
• developmental maturity
• school achievement and qualifications
• academic readiness for the School’s program
• open-mindedness

Other criteria may include:

• diversity and gender balance
• affiliation with French International School of Oregon
• fit between the family and the School

Where it is appropriate, testing and/or interviewing are used as supplemental tools to provide information to assist in the assessment of each candidate. In all cases, the School retains the right to determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not to select a student for admission. All completed application files are reviewed by an admissions committee consisting of the Director of Admissions, the appropriate Division Head, teachers, and other staff.

French International Admissions Policy

French International welcomes students and families who will thrive in an internationally minded curriculum. We support learners to become inquirers, principled communicators, and open-minded thinkers who have a commitment to learning and growing. Helping your child realize their full potential is a privilege we take very seriously. We consider families and guardians as partners in our students’ journey of developing into global citizens, with an appreciation and understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives, to help make a better, more peaceful world.

French International admits students whose families value the advantages of an academically balanced, stimulating and engaging curriculum in small-class environments.

We believe:

• Our school benefits from a community with students coming from a range of diverse cultures, abilities, and talents.
• Our program is a partnership with families who strive to develop international-mindedness, respect, and independence.
• Our students benefit from a well-rounded curriculum that is inclusive, nurturing, and challenging.
• Our school can provide continuity and community for families arriving from other IB schools or language immersion programs.

Admissions mission-appropriate student:

Our school strives to welcome students from a wide range of gender, race, religious, socioeconomic, language, immersion, and geographic backgrounds. We value families who see themselves connected to the global community and assume a sense of responsibility toward its members, by embodying the attributes of the IB learner profile (caring, open-minded, principled, balanced, communicator, knowledgeable, thinker, risk-taker (courageous), inquirer, and reflective). 

Our school values growth, change, and exploring new ideas; however, we are not a school for everyone, and we take into account students’ learning needs and whether or not we can accommodate them as their best possible learning environment (see Inclusion Policy). We believe in having a mutual partnership with families, keeping each other informed of any learning needs or trends that arise for the student.

Once an admissions decision has been made, an electronic contract is emailed to both parents/guardians of the applicant student. 

Parents/Guardians generally have several days to make a decision, at which time an enrollment deposit will be required. Please note that both parents/guardians must complete the contractual process.

Please pay attention to the terms and conditions and the expiration date of the contract. After that date, the space will be offered to the next candidate. You may always check with the Office of Admissions for space availability.

When there are more qualified candidates than openings available, the School establishes an unranked waiting list. If any openings occur, the Admissions Committee decides which candidate(s) will be offered a spot based on such factors as the overall profile of the class and the match between the needs of the School with the needs and qualifications of the student.

French International is pleased to offer a financial aid program. Financial aid is intended to enhance cultural and socioeconomic diversity in the student body. All financial aid is based on economic need. Allocation of available funds is made to the greatest number of families possible. More information about French International-based financial aid can be found here. Admission to French International is considered separately from financial aid decisions.

French nationals interested in financial aid are required to submit an application to the "bourse française" program offered by the French government before being considered for French International-based financial aid. More information about the bourse scolaire can be found here.

The timeline of announcing financial aid awards to newly accepted students takes into consideration the timing of when an offer of admission is made so applicant parents have all of the information they need to make their enrollment decision.