Celebrating 25 Years
The French Académie is Minneapolis' only French immersion early learning school accredited by the French Ministry of Education (AEFE) and licensed by the state of Minnesota. Our unique curriculum combines the world-renowned French Maternelle with inspirations from Montessori and Reggio Emilia.
"Children don't come to our school to learn French. They come to learn, and they learn in French."
The French Académie is a very unique program. We work from the French curriculum. We welcome children starting at 18 months and guide them all the way through Kindergarten. In France, it's very different from the US because public school starts at 2.5 years old, and this is what I decided to use as a base curriculum.
Our pedagogical approach is a blend of the Montessori philosophy and the Reggio Emilia approach, and I strongly believe it's important to explore different pedagogies in the classroom setting. The French Académie offers four unique classrooms, an indoor gym space, a library, and an outdoor playground. Children don't come to our school to learn French. They come to learn, and they learn in French.
It all started with a vision...
From humble beginnings...
Founder and Director Véronique Liebmann first opened the doors of her little school, The French Académie (originally La Maison Des Enfants) in 1998 in the basement of her home in Eden Prairie. From the beginning, she had a single goal in mind: to create an early childhood learning program that would cultivate bilingual minds and creative hearts.
Preparing to cook a Groundhog Day treat in the school kitchen
Our Programs
Our programs are comprised of two mixed-age classrooms: one class for toddlers, and one class for Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten students.
Students in either program are welcome to join us for Matinées (mornings) or for Journées complètes (full days)
Le Tout Petit Programme
Ages 18-35 months
Toddlers are constantly curious and continually growing. Our Tout Petit Programme supports toddlers as they learn how to interact with the world around them, mastering skills from independent self care and toilet learning, to managing emotions and individual expression. At the end of their time in the TPP, children will have the skills necessary to embark on their next learning adventure: preschool!
La Maternelle
Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten
In Maternelle, we offer a variety of activities aimed at helping each child develop their cognitive and social skills by stimulating their curiosity and imagination. Each child has different needs and grows at their own pace. The goal in our Maternelle program is for each child to grow up in confidence, prepared to become successful Kindergarten and/or Elementary students.
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Reggio-inspired classroom explorations
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Play-based learning
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Learning kitchen
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Weekly music classes with a Music Together© In School Specialist
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Montessori practical life and sensorial activities
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Daily routines, manners, and etiquette
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Social Emotional Learning
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Personal hygiene and toilet learning
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Indoor and outdoor learning environment
Curriculum Highlights
Our creative curriculum has been carefully crafted
to enrich all aspects of early childhood development.
The Perfect Space
In 2019, our little school moved to Minnetonka from Saint Louis Park. Our new location has been designed specifically for us; our Director and our teaching team were involved in all aspects of the architectural design process to ensure that our space is perfect for the little learners that we serve.
We believe in the beauty of natural light; children aren't meant to spend all day in a basement! Every space in our school is flooded with natural light, with a full wall of windows in each classroom. Our indoor large muscle activity room and front office even have large skylights!
Newly designed, impeccably maintained, and full of light. We guarantee that you have never seen an early learning school like this before.
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What Parents Say
Shelly
We were looking for a preschool for our 2 1/2 year old daughter to attend. We wanted a school that wasn't all "play". We wanted her to take away something more from the experience of preschool. Learning a second language was a priority for us. The teachers and staff are top notch. The Director knows everyone, and always recruits excellent teachers from France. The FAC is a close knit, safe and friendly community. The families are very culturally and socially diverse. A few things that have impressed me the most about the FAC is the hands-on attention the students receive. The teachers are extremely dedicated to their job. I can honestly say that the experience at The FAC has been priceless. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way for my children.
Sarah
Both of my boys just began at the French Academie this year, and we are enrolling them both next year. My youngest is in the Tout Petit Program and my older is in the Maternelle. Our experience has been exceptional. My oldest came in at age four without much language experience and has begun speaking french and doing well with his comprehension. His teachers are fantastic and really teach to his interests and abilities. He has developed an interest in writing and letters with their guidance! I really appreciate that they incorporate hands-on Montessori materials in the classroom as well as the Reggio philosophy. I adore their creative projects. The kids also regularly make french snacks in the new kitchen. It's been fun to see them experience this part of french culture. There's a lot of love that goes into this little school. It has been a joy to watch my kids experience so many opportunities. I can't think of a better place for them.
ARTICLES FROM OUR EARLY EDUCATION BLOG
