The Franco-American School of Chicago, the Erstwhile EFAC, for Francophone Students
Background
The Franco American School of Chicago was earlier known as
Ecole franco-américaine de Chicago (EFAC). It has the mission to offer French
education to French-speaking students. It is recognized by the Ministry of
Education for inclusion in the American public system and provides French curriculum in Chicago. It
started in the year 1981 in the public establishment of Abraham Lincoln
Elementary School (ALES) and finally started the program during the academic
year 1995-96.
Learning Outcomes
The EFAC, Franco-American School of Chicago covers all levels
from Kindergarten to the final year. Students get a bilingual and bicultural
education in the French American Schoolin Chicago. As a result, they are enabled to broaden their knowledge by
exposing themselves to the multicultural issues of the American society.
Thereby, they acquire sophisticated thinking and become more autonomous and
responsible citizens.
Through the dual
experience of acquiring knowledge and socializations, they get the opportunity
of pursuing their studies either in the French education system or in the
education systems of English-speaking countries.
Special Privileges
Having the French
School in Chicago, EFAC is marked by its privileged position in two Public
Schools in the USA. It amalgamates the excellence of both school systems.
Students pursue the American educational curriculum as well as the French Curriculum n Chicago. They can get the French curriculum
until the end of Primary level (CM2). The Middle and High school programs are
based on the National Distance Education Center (NCED), having focus on
Literature, History and Geography.
As a popular FrenchSchool Chicago, EFAC satisfies the needs of each culture by adopting each
curriculum with its own learning methods. Because of this educational
diversity, students benefit immensely, both at the program level and in their
social life. Students spend several times from one context to another and learn
to juggle their learning schedules, educational, linguistic and social codes of
both systems. The French Ministry of Education funds a one year visit by a
French teacher free of cost to CPS.
Extra-curricular Activities
i) French Camp a four-day annual event of retreating outside
of Chicago, for all 5th graders ii) Cine Club, which is a monthly
after-school event, introducing French Children’s movie to the Lincoln family
Constraints
Since the French School in Chicago is integrated
into the American school, it has to adopt the same schedules and calendars. The
French program is a ‘specialty program’ within the premises of Abraham Lincoln
School. The teaching team works with the elementary faculties of ALS for having
better coordinated programs for the students.
Teachers mentor students who want to share intelligently
between the two programs. Another constraint emerging out of the integration is
that EFAC is obliged to honor the school map and admit only such students,
living in the Lincoln Elementary borough. However, this constraint does not
arise at Lincoln Park High School.
Shifting Schedules
Francophone students have to start one hour earlier than
American students by arriving at school at 7.50 am. During the school hours,
they have to move from one class to another according to their schedules. At
the end of the school hours at 3.45 pm, Francophone students get the
opportunity of participating in extracurricular activities.
Students are expected to pass the baccalaureate of French. It
is located in Lincoln Park, a prominent residential area in Chicago.
Affiliation
It is affiliated to the Mission Laique Frabcaise (MLF) and is
a member of the Association of French Schools in North America (AFSA).
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