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Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Elementary
Introduction
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley provides a dual-immersion education from preschool through eighth grade. The school follows the French National Ministry of Education curriculum alongside the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. Instruction is delivered through a co-teaching model where French and English teachers collaborate to build literacy in both languages.The 2.3-acre campus includes specialized outdoor learning environments such as a water creek, a dedicated garden, and an outdoor amphitheater. A unique feature of the elementary program is the "Vers le Pacifique" initiative, a social-emotional program focused on conflict resolution and identity development. Additionally, the school offers an Accelerated French Program specifically for students entering grades one through eight with little to no prior exposure to the language, allowing them to join the bilingual track. Students participate in physical education and arts regularly, with after-school clubs ranging from robotics to global cooking.
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley - Elementary School Campus has instruction in French, English.
Location
Two Berkeley campuses: Elementary School Campus at 1009 Heinz Ave., Berkeley, CA 94710 and Middle School Campus at 901 Grayson Street, Berkeley, CA 94710. The school serves preschool through 8th grade. Both campuses are located in Berkeley, California.
Stages
Preschool & Kindergarten; Lower School; Middle School. An Accelerated French Program (AFP) offers late-entry points in Lower School (G1 and G2) and in Middle School (G6).
Type
Private bilingual day school
Pupil Nationality Mix
More than 60 nationalities represented in the school community.
Additional learning support
Lower School offers French as a Foreign Language (French as a Second Language) for students who need it; bilingual teachers support each student linguistically and academically.
Country affiliation
American International Section (Section Internationale Américaine) integrated into EB's primary program.
Annual tuition at Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley - Elementary School Campus ranges from USD 38,150 to USD 43,200 for 2026/27.
Application fees
- Non-refundable application fee: USD 75 due when submitting the application form.
Enrollment deposit / reservation fee
- A non-refundable enrollment/reservation deposit equal to 10% of the annual tuition is required to finalize enrollment; this deposit is due within 10 days of acceptance. The 10% deposit is applied toward the annual tuition balance.
Tuition fees by school year (annual amounts for 2026–2027)
- Preschool & Kindergarten (annual): USD 38,150. - Grades 1–5 (annual): USD 39,015. - Grades 6–8 (annual; includes Middle School Accelerated French Program): USD 43,200.
Installment / per-payment detail (options available for the annual tuition above)
- Option 1 — One payment: - One payment due in June. - Early-payment discount: USD 100 off the annual tuition (school pays the Blackbaud annual fee for this option). - Example: Preschool/K: USD 38,150 − USD 100 = USD 38,050 (one-time June payment).
- Option 2 — Two equal payments: - Two equal payments due in June and September (payer may choose the 5th or the 20th of the month). - A Blackbaud Tuition Management annual administrative fee of USD 50 applies. - Example: Preschool/K: USD 38,150 ÷ 2 = USD 19,075 per payment (plus the USD 50 Blackbaud fee for the plan).
- Option 3 — Four equal payments: - Four equal payments due in June, July, August and September. - A Blackbaud Tuition Management annual administrative fee of USD 50 applies. - Example: Preschool/K: USD 38,150 ÷ 4 = USD 9,537.50 per payment (plus the USD 50 Blackbaud fee for the plan).
- Option 4 — Twelve equal monthly payments: - Twelve equal monthly payments between June and May of the following year. - A 5% per annum interest charge applies to this plan (reduced to 1.50% per annum for families receiving Tuition Assistance or Bourses Scolaires). - A Blackbaud Tuition Management annual administrative fee of USD 50 applies. - Example (base monthly before interest): Preschool/K: USD 38,150 ÷ 12 ≈ USD 3,179.17 per month (the actual monthly amount will be slightly higher when the 5% annual interest is applied).
Additional program and grade-specific fees
- Lower School Accelerated French Program (G1–G3): additional annual program fee of USD 2,860.
Required and optional fees and typical other costs
- One-time enrollment fee (Preschool and Lower School only): USD 1,950 (required at enrollment). - Tuition refund insurance: 1.4% of tuition (mandatory for a family's first year at the school, optional thereafter). - Extended Day Package (optional; unlimited morning and afternoon care during school days for the year): USD 2,250. - Extended Day drop-in rate (optional): USD 14.04 per hour. - School Breaks Package (optional; day camps during Fall, Winter and Spring breaks for the school year): USD 1,250. - Hot lunch (optional; price per meal): USD 6.75 to USD 7.25 (subject to change). - Optional overnight field trips (Grades 5, 7 and 8): approximately USD 2,650. - Required overnight field trips (Grades 3, 4 and 6): ranges from USD 695 to USD 1,370. - After-school activities: costs vary by activity.
- Note on uniform: no separate uniform fee is listed among the school's required or optional fees.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Enrollment: accepted families must return a signed enrollment agreement and pay the 10% non-refundable deposit within 10 days of acceptance to secure the student's place. - Balance payment: after the deposit, families choose one of the four payment options described above (one, two, four, or twelve payments); specific due months are June (one-payment option) or the months listed for the multi-payment options. Two-payment plan pay dates may be either the 5th or the 20th of the designated month. The four-payment schedule runs June–September; the twelve-payment schedule runs June–May. - Administrative fees and interest: Option 1 carries no Blackbaud fee (school covers it) and a USD 100 early-payment discount; Options 2–4 incur a USD 50 Blackbaud annual fee; the 12-month plan incurs a 5% per annum interest charge (1.50% for families receiving financial aid).
Boarding
- Boarding fees: Not applicable. Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley is a preschool through grade 8 bilingual day school and does not operate a boarding program.
Refund information
- The enrollment/reservation deposit (10% of annual tuition) is non-refundable. - Tuition refund insurance is offered (1.4% of tuition) and is mandatory for families in their first year at the school; this insurance is the mechanism the school lists for managing tuition refunds.
Fee payment options and accepted payment method
- The school's tuition and fee payment system is Blackbaud Tuition Management. Blackbaud Tuition Management accepts credit card payments; administrative fees for using Blackbaud vary depending on the payment plan selected.
Academics
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley - Elementary School Campus teaches American Curriculum, French Curriculum for students aged 2 to 11.
Curriculum
The school offers a bilingual English-French curriculum from Preschool through 8th grade, with language development at the core of instruction in both languages. A co-teaching model supports students at their language and academic levels, with French as a Second Language support and learning specialists, and Etude after-school homework help. In Lower School, the balance of instruction shifts from French immersion to bilingual: Grades 1–2 are 80–20, Grade 3 65–35, and Grades 4–5 50–50. Vers le Pacifique begins in Preschool and Kindergarten and continues through Grade 2; Grades 3–5 focus on conflict resolution and identity. Middle School maintains bilingual and biliterate instruction across language arts, science, history, and math, with students choosing a third language (Spanish or Mandarin) and continuing content in both languages. The science program aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards and the French program; math blends Singapore Math and Eureka Math in a bilingual setting, and field trips, arts, and service learning are integrated.
Student Teacher Ratio
Average class size is 17 students. The school maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio.
Exam Results
High School placement: 95% of students applying to private high schools get their top choice.
Gifted and Talented
Accelerated French Programs are available at Lower School and Middle School for motivated, high-achieving students, providing small class sizes and advanced bilingual learning.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
EB fosters social and emotional learning by inviting students, families, and staff to bring their whole selves to school and by celebrating the diversity of experiences and perspectives within the community. The school is a place of warmth, joy, kindness, and belonging that welcomes all people. It nurtures curiosity, compassion, courage, and an enduring sense of community in its students. The EB environment emphasizes inclusion and equity, with ongoing efforts to provide equitable opportunities for every member of the school community. The school aims to create a supportive culture where students feel respected and empowered to engage with others across differences.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Accelerated French Program (AFP) provides late entry points at G1, G2 and G6 for students with no prior French exposure. AFP offers students the opportunity to acquire fluent proficiency in a second language and to be well positioned for high school placement after 8th grade.
FAQs
What curriculum does Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley follow?
The school offers a bilingual English-French curriculum from Preschool through 8th grade, with language development at the core of instruction in both languages. A co-teaching model supports students at their language and academic levels, with French as a Second Language support and learning special.
What age range does Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley serve?
The school serves students aged 1 to 14. Preschool & Kindergarten; Lower School; Middle School. An Accelerated French Program (AFP) offers late-entry points in Lower School (G1 and G2) and in Middle School (G6).
Where is Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley located?
Two Berkeley campuses: Elementary School Campus at 1009 Heinz Ave., Berkeley, CA 94710 and Middle School Campus at 901 Grayson Street, Berkeley, CA 94710. The school serves preschool through 8th grade. Both campuses are located in Berkeley, California.
What wellbeing support does Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley offer?
EB fosters social and emotional learning by inviting students, families, and staff to bring their whole selves to school and by celebrating the diversity of experiences and perspectives within the community. The school is a place of warmth, joy, kindness, and belonging that welcomes all people. It n
What sports facilities does Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley have?
The Middle School Campus has a basketball court, and the Lower School Campus has a gymnastic space for preschool and kindergarten. At the Lower School, after-school sports opportunities are integrated into classes that include activities such as dance, martial arts, or yoga. In the Middle School, st
How diverse is the student body at Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley?
More than 60 nationalities represented in the school community.
What type of school is Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley?
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley is a Co-educational school with 420 students. Private bilingual day school
What languages are taught at Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley?
French and English are the languages of instruction. English Language Arts follows California Common Core Standards, while the French curriculum aligns with the official French Ministry of Education framework in AFP and related tracks. A third language (Spanish or Mandarin) is introduced in Middle S
What is the history of Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley?
EB was founded by pioneering parents to provide bilingual education in the East Bay. It opened in fall 1977 with six teachers, 50 students, and 10 nationalities. The original Heinz & Ninth building became EB's campus when the school opened in 1977. The Middle School opened in 1988 and moved to 901 G
What extracurricular activities are available?
The visual arts, music, and theater are core components of the elementary curriculum; arts are integrated into classroom instruction in Grade 1, with specialists for music starting in Grade 2 and visual arts in Grade 3. Students explore art as a means of self-expression and connect artistic learning
What are the school hours at Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley?
