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Lycée Français de Chicago

United States, Chicago

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The school at a glance
Instructs in French, English
Fees $28,925 - 29,500
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 760
Type Co-educational
Opened 1995
Bus Service Yes
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum
Taught languages German, Latin, Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 7
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Lycée Français de Chicago (LFC) is AEFE-affiliated international school serving ages 3–18 in Chicago. The curriculum is immersion-based with two diploma tracks: the French Baccalaureate (BFI American Section) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, from pre-K through grade 12. Instruction is primarily in French, with English support through BFI and IB components. The BFI is bilingual and bicultural, blending French bac rigor with American inquiry-based learning to support university entry. LFC is an IB World School offering IB Diploma Programme in grades 11–12 and IB Middle Years Programme in grades 9–10, with BD and ABD options. Graduates earn a US high school diploma alongside the French Baccalaureate or IB Diploma. Bittersweet campus opened in 1995 and Wilson Campus in 2015, on 3.8 acres with facilities, including 50 classrooms, science labs, art studios, libraries, an innovation lab, a student life center, a gym and athletic fields. LFC offers after-school programs, Center for the Arts, an Artist-in-Residence program, and diverse clubs.

www.lyceechicago.org

1929 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States

Vibes and Culture
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The Essentials

Lycée Français de Chicago has 760 pupils, typical class sizes of 7, instruction in French, English.

Location
The main campus is at 1929 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640. Transit options include the Damen Brown Line El stop, CTA bus routes 50 Damen, 22 Clark, and 81 Lawrence near Wilson, and the Ravenswood UP-N Metra line within walking distance. Ravenswood Garage (entrance off Damen Ave) provides parking. The school offers bilingual instruction in French and English.

Stages
Pre-elementary | Pre-K to K; Elementary | Grades 1 to 5; Middle School | Grades 6 to 8; High School | Grades 9 to 12.

Type
International school.

Country affiliation
AEFE-affiliated; listed on the AEFE roster of French Schools in Foreign Countries; part of the French Ministry of Education network worldwide.

Bus service
Morning Bus Program with three routes (North, West, South). North Route serves Wilmette, Evanston, Rogers Park and West Ridge; West Route serves West Town, Wicker Park, Bucktown and Logan Square; South Route serves Hyde Park, Streeterville, Lincoln Park and Lakeview. For details and registration, email operations@lyceechicago.org.
Diving Deeper
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Fees

Annual tuition at Lycée Français de Chicago ranges from USD 28,925 to USD 29,500 for 2026/27.

Overview of Tuition (2026–2027 academic year)

- Pre-K – K: USD 28,925 per year.
- Grades 1–8: USD 29,200 per year.
- Grades 9–12: USD 29,500 per year.

Tuition — payment schedules and per‑installment amounts

There are three payment schedule options and associated processing fees. The amounts below show the gross tuition per payment before any deposits or discounts are applied:

- One payment (full tuition): due in July. (FACTS one-time processing fee USD 25 at enrollment agreement finalization.)
- Pre-K – K: USD 28,925 due in July.
- Grades 1–8: USD 29,200 due in July.
- Grades 9–12: USD 29,500 due in July.

- Two equal installments (pre-authorized ACH or credit card): one-half of the balance deducted in June and the remaining half deducted in December. (FACTS one-time processing fee USD 25 at enrollment agreement finalization.)
- Pre-K – K: USD 14,462.50 per installment (USD 28,925 ÷ 2).
- Grades 1–8: USD 14,600.00 per installment (USD 29,200 ÷ 2).
- Grades 9–12: USD 14,750.00 per installment (USD 29,500 ÷ 2).

- Twelve monthly installments: first installment due in June, successive monthly withdrawals through May. (FACTS one-time processing fee USD 55 at enrollment agreement finalization.)
- Pre-K – K: USD 2,410.42 per month (USD 28,925 ÷ 12).
- Grades 1–8: USD 2,433.33 per month (USD 29,200 ÷ 12).
- Grades 9–12: USD 2,458.33 per month (USD 29,500 ÷ 12).

Enrollment deposit and contract terms

- A non‑refundable tuition deposit of USD 2,000 per student is due after submission of the enrollment contract; this deposit is deducted from the final tuition balance. Failure to make payments when due may result in late fees and other enforcement actions. For delinquent accounts (45 days non‑payment per term), the school will place the account and records on financial hold and may withhold transcripts, diplomas and report cards until the account is current. Tuition and fees are contractually non‑refundable, including in the event of early withdrawal.

Application and administrative fees

- New Family Fee (Pre‑K level): USD 2,250 per family.
- New Family Fee (Jr‑K to Grade 12): USD 3,000 per family.
- Financial Aid Application Fee (FACTS): USD 45 per application (non‑refundable).
- Non‑refundable Tuition Deposit: USD 2,000 (due at time of enrollment).
- Supplies Fee: USD 350–USD 460 (variable by grade).
- NSF (returned payment) Fee: USD 25.
- Late Payment Fee: USD 25.
- FACTS Credit Card Transaction Fee: 3.05% per charge (applies to credit‑card payments).

Estimated exam and assessment fees (by grade)

- 3rd Grade DELF (optional): USD 70.
- 5th Grade DELF (optional): USD 70.
- 9th Grade DELF (optional): USD 70.
- 9th Grade DNB: USD 169.
- 11th Grade EA: USD 263.
- 12th Grade Bac: USD 323.
- 12th Grade BFI: USD 575.
- 12th Grade IB: USD 738.

Other costs billed separately

- Bus service, lunch service, before‑ and after‑school programs, athletics, and school trips & exchanges are billed in addition to tuition; fees vary by service and participation. Supplies, certain extracurriculars, and some field trips may also incur separate charges.

Boarding

- Boarding is not applicable; no boarding program or boarding fees are listed for this school.

Refund policy

- Tuition and fees are non‑refundable. The non‑refundable tuition deposit (USD 2,000) is applied to the final tuition balance but is not refundable.

Fee payment options and processing

- Payments are managed through FACTS. Payment options include automated bank withdrawal (ACH) and credit‑card payment via FACTS. FACTS charges a one‑time processing fee at enrollment agreement finalization (USD 25 for one‑time payment or two‑installment plans; USD 55 for the 12‑month plan). Credit‑card charges are additionally subject to a FACTS credit card transaction fee (3.05% per charge). Returned payment (NSF) and late payment fees apply as noted above.

Contact for billing questions

- The Student Billing Administrator handles account questions; the school provides FACTS support for account access.
Academics

Lycée Français de Chicago teaches IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The Lyce9e Frane7ais de Chicago offers an immersion-based curriculum with two diploma tracks: the French Baccalaureate (BFI American Section) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, for students from pre-K through grade 12. Instruction is primarily in French, with English provided through English-language BFI courses and English-language components within the IB track. The American Section of the French Baccalaureate, the BFI, is bilingual and bicultural, combining French bac rigor with American inquiry-based learning to provide a university entrance qualification valid in the US and France. The school is an International Baccalaureate World School, offering the IB Diploma Programme in grades 11412 and the IB Middle Years Programme in grades 910, with Bilingual Diploma (BD) and Advanced Bilingual Diploma (ABD) options. Graduates typically earn a US high school diploma and either the French Baccalaureate or the IB Diploma, with CNED courses available for additional options.

Exam Results
Baccalaureate examination results show a consistent 100% pass rate from 2021 to 2025. Honors at LFC range from 94% to 100% over these years, with honors in North America ranging from 89% to 94%. The data reflect strong performance across both the French Bac and the IB track.

Higher Education Progression
100% of LFC students go on to higher education after graduation, most frequently in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France.
Wellbeing
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Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions

Admissions
1. Your LFC journey starts with understanding entry points. The main entry points are pre-elementary (pre-K to K) and Grade 9 IB, and inquiries are welcome at all grade levels, subject to space availability. In primary school, non-French speakers may enroll from pre-K to Grade 5 through the Welcoming Language Program, depending on space availability. The high school IB program is taught in English and welcomes non-French-speaking students from Grades 9–12.

2. Submit the online application. Applications open October 1 of the preceding year, and there is a $155 application fee paid upon submitting the online application. If you are unable to pay the application fee, contact the Admissions Office. Rolling admissions apply for 2026-2027, and admissions decisions are issued on a rolling basis once the application is complete.

3. Provide supporting materials and complete assessments. Upload report cards from the past three school years where available, and ensure the current teacher submits a recommendation form via the application platform. Register for a group assessment or an individual assessment, and schedule a parent interview with the admissions team. For daycare families applying to Pre-K, there are benefits including a waived first application fee and prioritized admission, along with the Pre-K welcome pass that supports before-school and after-school arrangements.

4. Notes on dates, deadlines, and timelines. Online applications open on October 1 of the preceding year; for September 2026 entry, PK-8 applications are due December 31 and Grades 9-12 applications are due January 15. Re-enrollment opens January 15 for current families, with additional admissions assessments for PK-8 in January–February. New student acceptance notifications for Pre-K through 12th-grade applicants are issued on February 27, 2026, with enrollment decisions due March 9, 2026; the school also notes a French Bourse deadline in March. General admissions for 2026-2027 indicate rolling admissions and space-based inquiries.

5. Decisions and enrollment. Admissions decisions are communicated by email, and for certain grade bands these decisions are issued in mid-March or on a rolling basis depending on space and the timeline. The school reserves the right to request additional information or an in-person interview for candidates at any grade level. For questions or to initiate the process, use the inquiry channel or contact the Admissions Office directly.

6. Final note. The school welcomes inquiries at all grade levels and emphasizes space availability when considering applications and enrollments. Financial aid and other supports are described separately in the Tuition & Financial Aid section.

Scholarships
Financial aid is available, and twenty percent of LFC students receive financial aid; more than $2.3 million in financial support is awarded each year to eligible families. Financial aid uses FACTS to assess need; FACTS provides a needs analysis and a recommended contribution, while the school's Financial Aid Committee reviews the completed applications. Deadlines for new families include FACTS aid applications opening November 1, 2025 and closing December 31, 2025, with tax documents due February 9, 2026 and preliminary awards targeted by February 27, 2026, followed by final awards by April 28, 2026; current families have similar but slightly different timelines.

French Government Scholarships may be available for French citizens living in the Chicago area; applications are submitted to the Consulate General of France in Chicago. The Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF) is a partner that offers high school scholarship assistance to Chicago students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds; the DMSF application deadline is October for current 8th graders and is conducted through DMSF's website. Donations to the LFC Fund and La Soirée support financial aid.

In addition to need-based aid, the school provides external scholarship pathways (e.g., DMSF) and government scholarships where applicable; eligibility depends on family circumstances and program rules. Applicants should plan to submit the required documents and information on time to ensure consideration for aid alongside admissions.
School Events
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