United States, San Francisco
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
· Reviewed by Nik Higgins · Co-founder & CEO
Lycée Français de San Francisco (LFSF) is an international school serving PreK–12 with two bilingual tracks: a French Track aligned to the French Ministry of National Education, and an International Track powered by the International Baccalaureate (IB). Students aged 2 to 18 benefit from continuous education across three campuses: Ashbury (Preschool–Grade 5) in San Francisco, Sausalito (Preschool–Grade 5) in Marin, and Ortega (Middle–High School) in San Francisco. The International Track follows the IB Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10) and the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12). The school is accredited by the French Ministry and CAIS and is part of the AEFE network. Across campuses sustainability is embedded: Eco-Delegates, solar aquaponics, water cisterns, living green walls, and an organic Cantine kitchen. LFSF hosts a diverse community of around 50 nationalities and offers strong arts, athletics, and language programs, enabling bilingual French–English instruction and a wide range of extracurricular activities for families.
755 Ashbury St, San Francisco, CA 94117, United States
Lycée Français de San Francisco - Ashbury Campus has typical class sizes of 18, instruction in French, English.
The Lycée Français de San Francisco operates on three campuses: Ashbury Campus in San Francisco (755 Ashbury Street, 94117) for Preschool through Grade 5; Ortega Campus in San Francisco (1201 Ortega Street, 94122) for Middle School through High School. The Sausalito Campus in Marin County (610 Coloma Street, 94965) serves Preschool through Grade 5.
Ashbury and Sausalito campuses offer Preschool through Grade 5. Ortega Campus houses Middle School (Gr 6–8) and High School (Gr 9–12).
Private international school offering PreK–12 bilingual education with two tracks: French Track and International Track powered by IB.
More than 50 nationalities are represented across campuses; more than 30 languages are spoken.
France; AEFE member
Transportation operates across three campuses with routes between Marin County and the Ortega Campus, between Cupertino (South Bay) and the Ortega Campus, and between the Ortega Campus and the Ashbury Campus in the morning for K–5. Starting in 2026–2027, a free shuttle will connect San Francisco to the Sausalito preschool/primary campus, with pickup locations published in Spring 2026.
Annual tuition at Lycée Français de San Francisco - Ashbury Campus ranges from USD 28,000 to USD 58,900 for 2026/27.
Lycée Français de San Francisco - Ashbury Campus teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum for students aged 2 to 18.
The International Track is based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Spanning Grades 6 through 10, the Middle Years Programme emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and real-world applications. It is organized around eight IB subject groups: language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical and health education, and design. Language & Literature uses the California State Standards to develop reading, writing, and global perspectives. The Diploma Programme begins in Grades 11-12, with six subject groups and a DP core including Creativity, Activity, Service; the Extended Essay; and Theory of Knowledge. The DP leads to both the IB Diploma and the US High School diploma.
French Baccalaureate results are outstanding.
85% of our Seniors chose to continue their educational journey in North America; 19% enrolled in Canadian universities; 15% will go to Europe, including 3.5% to France.
The Wellness Coordinator provides one-on-one student support including crisis intervention; organizes health education workshops for students, educational teams, and parents, and develops a health education curriculum (including sex and drug education). The school promotes mental health and well-being and implements a curriculum in socio-emotional strategies (SEL) with campus events such as Wellness Wednesdays, stress-less activities, and mental health awareness campaigns.
A Speech Therapist provides information and resources to teachers to better support students; creates Student Accommodation Plans (PAP) for students diagnosed with Specific Learning Disorders and conducts annual reviews; assists students eligible for accommodations for the DNB and French Baccalauréat in filing requests with the French embassy.
The International Track is powered by the IB and makes the Lycée accessible to all prospective students without any French language requirement.
Wellness initiatives support mental well-being; the Wellness Coordinator leads activities to promote mental health and the development of a socio-emotional learning curriculum, along with events that foster protective factors for students (e.g., Wellness Wednesdays and mental health awareness campaigns).
An Emergency Disaster and Incident Preparedness Plan outlines safety procedures for emergencies such as earthquakes and fires, with annual updates and staff training; procedures include evacuation, ‘duck, cover and hold,' designated adult responsibilities, emergency pickups, and external communication systems to inform families.
Online application starts on the Veracross portal. Create an account on the School Admin platform and submit the online application. A 150 application fee is charged at application. Grade placement follows the French‑US equivalence: LPE = PreK2; PS = PreK3; MS = PreK4; GS = K; CP = 1st; CE1 = 2nd; CE2 = 3rd; CM1 = 4th; CM2 = 5th; 6e = 6th; 5e = 7th; 4e = 8th; 3e = 9th; 2nde = 10th; 1re = 11th; Terminale = 12th. The admission journey includes applying online, meeting with the Admissions team, and Admissions decisions and notifications. For families living abroad, applications are mostly considered on rolling admissions. Admissions main dates for 2026–2027 include March 5, April 2, May 7, and June 4 (Ortega Campus). First notifications are sent by email in early March; after these dates, applications are reviewed regularly and notifications follow. Upon acceptance, families have one week to enroll by signing the enrollment contract electronically and paying the non‑refundable enrollment fees. Tuition information for 2025–2026 will be posted in early February. High School admissions include virtual meetings with an Admissions associate to discuss goals; these meetings can be scheduled at convenient times and are optional for sibling applicants. The American International Section (AIS) runs from Grade 1 through Grade 12; AIS students follow the core syllabus with courses taught in English; in Middle School, Language and Literature and History‑Geography are taught in English, with additional English‑language coursework. The Lycée Français de San Francisco operates on three campuses: Ashbury (San Francisco), Sausalito, and Ortega; the school maintains a non‑discrimination policy for admissions and programs.
Full High School Scholarship program offers scholarships to new students entering Grades 9–12; up to two Full Scholarships may be awarded per class year; the full value is estimated at over $235,000 for four years and covers the full academic program, academic and student support resources, instructional materials and in‑class technology, the Global Learning Program, and daily lunches. Bay Area residency is required; Scholarships are based on demonstrated financial need and academic potential. How to Apply: Step 1 indicate interest; Step 2 complete the standard financial aid application via Clarity by January 2, 2026; Step 3 complete the standard application for admission by January 23, 2026; Fee waivers are available for scholarship applicants earning below the county's low income cap. The Seona Herail Scholarship is a four‑year merit scholarship granting 25% of tuition per year for high school students (Grades 9–12), renewable if eligible, awarded on the recommendation of a pedagogical committee. AEFE French Government Financial Aid covers all or part of tuition; second AEFE round deadline is February 20, 2026; Outside financial aid programs exist. In 2024–25 about 24% of students received financial aid, and over 83% of aid is funded by Lycée.