French American School Opens Applications For New Language Program In Princeton

PRINCETON, NJ – The French American School of Princeton (FASP) is opening the application process for its new Accelerated French Language Immersion program for the 2023-24 school year.

The program is designed for children in grades 1-3 and no prior knowledge of French is required for entry.

Located at 75 Mapleton Road, on the site of the former St. Joseph’s Seminary, the school has been providing bilingual education for grades preschool to 8.

“The ideal time to learn a language is in childhood,” said Dominique Velociter, FASP Head of School.

“Research shows that dual-language immersion students often perform as well or better than non-immersion students on standardized tests of English and math. FASP’s comprehensive bilingual program begins at age 30 months with children acquiring and learning French in a multicultural, welcoming, and supporting environment.”

The school’s new program will introduce the language to students and families who may not have had an opportunity to enter a bilingual program previously.

“We are delighted to welcome older students into our school to offer them not only the ability to learn another language, but also to benefit from the many advantages of a bilingual and multicultural educational setting,” Velociter said. “Acquiring, learning, and living a second -- or third in many of our students’ families -- language gives students a distinct advantage over monolingual programs for intellectually curious students.”

The new program will include a challenging curriculum and 30 percent of instruction will be held in English and 70percent in French. The students in this cohort will be with their grade-level peers for homeroom and classes in English (English Language Arts, Math, Science, Art and Music), and for Physical Education in French. T

FASP’s blend of the French and American curriculums meets the French governmental and New Jersey Public School standards-based requirements.

With between 150-180 students, FASP is small by design to ensure that students and their families are supported in their bilingual education.

Information sessions will be held on Wednesday, Feb.15 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 4 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. or individually by appointment.