French School of Austin - Ecole Jean Jacques Rousseau 11607 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78753

"Our daughter is halfway through her second year at this school and her knowledge of the French language is very impressive. She loves going to school here and hates it when she is absent. We did not have any prior knowledge of the French language, but now she can hold a conversation in French and sometimes we hear her playing with her dolls using French. She also likes to watch Disney movies in French. Additionally, Spanish is offered at the school as a third language. You could also opt for Arabic or Mandarin as the third language. We didn't pick this school because it was primarily a French school. We picked this school because foreign languages are important to us and we felt very comfortable with the learning environment at this school. (The students routinely win national awards in Math and French) It is easy to see that this is a labor of love for the people who work here. I love that the English teacher has an undergraduate degree in English and a Master degree in rhetoric and writing instead of the typical early education degree. I love that the cello teacher has a PhD and has played in a symphony. I could go on and on with all the good things about this school. I cannot think of anything bad to say. We consider ourselves lucky to have found this school and the people that run it. I work for the State of Texas and I wouldn't allow my child to go to this school if anything was amiss. So again, great school and staff."

"Our child has attended Ecole Jean-Jacques Rousseau (French School of Austin) for three years, and we have been very pleased with our experience. During that time, our student went from knowing no French at all to being able to do grade-level work in all subjects in French. The school offers small classes and a supportive environment. There is an emphasis on the arts, with programs in instrumental music, singing, dancing, and fine arts. Other subjects are also strong to provide a well-rounded education. At this school you will find happy children who enjoy going to school!"

"My children are finishing their second and third years at French School of Austin/Ecole Jean Jacques Rousseau and I am very pleased with the academic and language progress they've made in a small class environment. Not only are they receiving the gift of a second (and third) language, but both have excelled in mathematics, English, science, and the performing arts. The coursework is challenging and engaging, and the teachers help the students rise to the occasion. The children have forged close bonds with their classmates and teachers. I have found the teachers receptive to each child's needs, they are accessible to parents, and they provide invaluable feedback throughout the year. We are happy with this little gem of a school and look forward to another good academic year in the Fall."

"My daughter was born 8 weeks prematurely. Like many premature children from the time she was in daycare she was academically behind the other kids. She was last to learn colors, alphabet, counting etc.. .We signed her up at Austin International School because languages were important to us and we hoped that the smaller settings would help her. We were however disappointed by the academic level being thought at the school and were shocked when the pre-k teacher told us that trying to read was not important at this age. We later signed her up in one of the top charter schools in Austin. Although we spent a lot of time working with our daughter, after a year and half at the school it became apparent to us that our daughter would not be able to catch-up in a an environment where she was 1 in a group of 28 kids in the classroom. After our experience in Austin International we were weary of trying another French school but after meeting with the director of the school it became apparent this school was different, the family running this school had many years of experience teaching kids ,was passionate about education and believed in a small classroom setting .This was not a foreign language school but first and foremost a school whose education program was geared on academics and most importantly on teaching the kids how to think no just learn a curriculum by heart. When we enrolled our daughter at the school she was put in a classroom of 7 kids and the teachers spent many hours working with her on a one to one basis to help her catch up. My daughter fell in love with the school from the first day she attended and has made tremendous progress since we enrolled her. This year the school was not able to continue 6th grade education level because of lack of students, but in spite of this they have agreed to teach my daughter 4 times a week in the afternoons so she can maintain her level of french. Half the time she is the only kid in class and they still keep the class going. These folks are not in it for the money but do this because they believe in making a difference."

"My 4 years old go to this school since last September and she love it. We love it too, with the small size of each class (max 12 students) they learn so much things and the teacher can adapt to each student. Some need more attention and more time to learn and some are super speedy so the teacher is able to attend to the need of everyone. Also I love the fact that it's a 100% immersion in french until the end of kindergarten so when they are in first grade they are bilingual even if nobody at home speak french! I will recommend this school to anyone who is thinking about a private school and the bonus is the french!!! Just to let you know if you pass by, the name of the school is École Jean-Jacques Rousseau."