french american international school
beyond the classroom
The world outside. Providing experiences outside the comfort zone of the home and school environment is the opposite of coddling. By fostering autonomy and confidence, at an early age, we are providing the groundwork for independence of mind and critical thinking—cornerstones of future academic success. Parents often remark that their child made a leap forward in maturity after returning from a major school trip away from home. Each year, students in grades 1 to 5 are involved in an overnight outdoor education program which complements and enriches their studies in the classroom: 1st graders experience a hands-on, experiential program at a nature camp for three days; 2nd graders discover a new environment during a four day trip to the Sierra Nevada; 3rd graders expand their knowledge of California History by spending five days in the gold country studying Native American cultures; 4th graders do ecological fieldwork at Santa Monica Mountain Institute; 5th graders culminate their lower school bilingual education with an exchange trip to France, for up to two weeks. These experiences outside the classroom allow students to explore first-hand their relationship with nature and the environment, and give them an opportunity to speak French naturally in a new context.
We also develop global citizenship with experiential learning closer to home. local resources as well as the diversity elements contained within the school itself.
Our students benefit from national and
Local fieldtrips by grade. PK3 and PK4 Pumpkin Patch | Nicasio | Arboretum, Golden Gate Park | Academy of Sciences | SF Symphony De Young Museum | San Francisco Zoo | Field trip to fire station | Ardenwood Farm
Kindergarten Pumpkin Patch in Pescadero | SF Symphony | MOMA | Little Farm, Tilden Park in Berkeley SF Zoo | Civic Center Farmers’ Market
1st Grade Ocean life at Crissy Field | MOMA | Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park | SF Symphony Hyde Street Pier | ArtsPower – “People Like Me” | Visit to a dentist’s office
2nd Grade MOMA | ArtsPower – “People Like Me” | Asian Art Museum; SF Symphony | Botanical Gardens Academy of Sciences
3rd Grade Marin Museum of the American Indian | SF Symphony | Transfer Station (Recology field trip) Mission Dolores | Academy of Sciences | Legion of Honor
4th Grade Planetarium | Chabot Space and Science Center | Academy of Sciences Coral Reef Program
5th Grade Many field trips with Strasbourg correspondents | Liberty Ships, Kayaking and city trips De Young Museum
Middle School Our Middle School Students benefit from a range of local field trips and overnight ecology trips to Yosemite and Mount Lassen. Echoing the Strasbourg exchange at the end of 5th grade, the culmination of 8th grade is an Exchange trip to Paris. We also support our third language offerings with overseas linguistic and cultural trips. There is nothing like actually “being there.” These unforgettable, shared experiences are full of intense, transformative, learning moments (including community service) and also create genuine class spirit.
Experience the world.
FRENCH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL | LYCÉE INTERNATIONAL FRANCO-AMÉRICAIN OFFICE OF ADMISSION 150 OAK STREET, SAN FRANCISCO CA 94102 | 415-558-2060
coumbad@frenchamericansf.org | www.internationalsf.org