French Immersion Schools in Illinois

About French schools in Illinois

This page lists every French immersion and French curriculum school in Illinois, public and private — each with its program type, tuition, enrollment and accreditation. It is one state of an independent directory covering 239 schools across 34 US states.

Dual language programs follow the American curriculum with the school day split between French and English; French curriculum schools follow the French national program and are accredited by the French Ministry of Education. The two private schools, Ecole Franco-Americaine de Chicago and Lycee Francais de Chicago, charge between $29,000 and $30,000 a year.

Illinois's 5 French-language schools split between Chicago and Champaign-Urbana. Chicago has three schools: LaSalle Language Academy (free CPS K–8 magnet), Lycée Français de Chicago (private, Streeterville), and École Franco-Américaine de Chicago (private, Lincoln Park). Champaign-Urbana, near the University of Illinois, has two public programs: Stratton Academy of the Arts and Yankee Ridge Elementary.

What AEFE homologation, LabelFrancÉducation, the American accreditors and the International Baccalaureate each certify is explained in the guide to accreditations and credentials. For younger children, the Chicago & Illinois daycare directory covers French daycares and preschools. You can also see the Chicago metro page, or browse the full national directory.

We hope you will find this directory useful, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, comments or additional information on the schools listed here — or a school we are missing.

All 5 Schools — Illinois

Frequently Asked Questions

How many French immersion schools are in Illinois?

Illinois has 5 French immersion and dual-language schools — 3 free public or charter programs and 2 private schools.

How much does French immersion cost in Illinois?

Private French school tuition in Illinois runs from about $28,925 to $29,500 per year. Public and charter immersion programs are tuition-free.

Are there free public French schools in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois has 3 tuition-free French immersion programs in public or charter schools. Many use a lottery or an attendance zone for admission.

Are French schools in Illinois accredited by the French Ministry of Education?

Illinois has 2 schools in the AEFE network, homologated by the French Ministry of Education for some or all of their grades: in those grades they teach the French national curriculum, and a child can move to a school in France at the same level. Each card shows which grades are homologated.

What grades do French schools in Illinois serve?

Lycee Francais de Chicago teaches from Pre-K4 through Grade 12, and Ecole Franco-Americaine de Chicago from Kindergarten through Grade 12. LaSalle Language Academy teaches from Kindergarten through Grade 8. Yankee Ridge Elementary stops at Grade 5. Grade ranges are not published for 1 of the 5 schools. Each school’s card shows the grades it teaches.