French Immersion Schools in Louisiana
As of the 2023-2024 school year, Louisiana boasts a robust French immersion program with 5,227 students enrolled across 45 schools in 14 parishes. These programs are offered through 21 public, private, and charter school systems, reflecting the state's commitment to bilingual education.
Curriculum
Louisiana's French immersion schools offer students a unique educational experience through the integration of bilingual instruction and cultural enrichment. These schools provide two distinct curriculum options: French and American.
The French curriculum, guided by the French Ministry of Education, emphasizes a rigorous and structured approach, with a focus on mastery of core subjects such as literature, mathematics, philosophy, and sciences. This pathway prepares students for internationally recognized diplomas, including the French Baccalauréat.
The American curriculum, infused with French language instruction, offers a broader, more flexible educational framework. Rooted in state and local standards, this curriculum prioritizes creativity, individualized learning, and extracurricular opportunities, while also preparing students for standardized testing and college readiness programs like Advanced Placement (AP) or dual enrollment.
Through these curriculum options, Louisiana's French immersion schools equip students with bilingual fluency, academic excellence, and the cultural understanding needed to thrive in an increasingly globalized world.
French Curriculum
Orleans Parish
Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle Orléans
Lycée Français de la Nouvelle Orléans
American Curriculum
Assumption Parish
Calcasieu Parish
Henry Heights Elementary School
East Baton Rouge Parish
Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet School
Baton Rouge Magnet High School
Evangeline Parish
Ville Platte Elementary School
Iberia Parish
Jefferson Parish
Frederick Douglass Elementary School
Lafayette Parish
Myrtle Place Elementary School
Orleans Parish
International School of Louisiana
Pointe Coupee Parish
Saint Landry Parish
Saint Martin Parish
Vermilion Parish
How to Start a French Immersion School
Establishing a French immersion program in Louisiana requires careful planning and collaboration. The Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL) French Immersion: A Guide for Creating a Successful Program offers comprehensive recommendations to guide this process. Additionally, the Louisiana Department of Education provides information on World Languages Certified schools, which can serve as valuable resources for developing a successful immersion curriculum.