About Us
Mission Statement
L’Ecole Française du Maine offers an educational experience entirely in French, instilling in our students a constant curiosity towards foreign languages and the world’s diverse cultures. We believe that through play, actions, and the search for independence, each child discovers his/her unique path to learning and obtains the necessary tools for development. The children are encouraged to express themselves freely in French and through various art forms, boosting their confidence and knowledge. Through this commitment to language and culture, we’re able to provide a diverse, mind-opening educational experience in an atmosphere of understanding and discovery.
French Immersion and Multilingualism
In case you were wondering...No, learning French will NOT negatively impact your child’s English language skills- au contraire- their vocabulary will be expanded and enriched with a certain flair of “je ne sais quoi!”
Multilingualism: Researchers agree learning several languages develops better cognitive skills, including enhanced creativity, adaptability, analytical skills, and multi-tasking abilities. These abilities help explain why these students typically score better in verbal intelligence, conceptualization, and global thinking and more easily discover creative solutions to problems. Also, attending class in a diverse cultural and socioeconomic environment positively affects relationships, attitudes, and behaviors. Students gain an understanding of and appreciation for other cultures.
Language Immersion: Our world has changed dramatically and is rapidly moving closer towards becoming fully interconnected. Children will require new ways of thinking, strong language skills, and an open mind to succeed. Learning another language is a step towards joining the global community. Today, more than half of the world’s population is bilingual, making mastering a second language an increasingly important way of interacting with the world. Many bilingual students show not only the capacity but the desire to learn a third language. In addition to being a valuable résumé builder and competitive edge in the academic and professional markets, recent research demonstrates that bilingualism may also improve early brain development and the ability to focus in distracting environments, decide between competing alternatives, and disregard irrelevant information.
Why choose French immersion for my child?
- Being bilingual opens one more door for their future well-being and gives them a lifelong ability to communicate with French-speaking people worldwide.
- Learning French increases their appreciation of other languages and cultures as well as their own.
- Being bilingual is a real asset that increases job opportunities.
- It helps them learn other languages.
- It gives them a more global view of the world.
- It enriches travel experiences, especially in the 53 countries where French is spoken.
- It enhances their creativity and problem-solving ability.
- It has a positive impact on their intellectual growth and cognitive development.
- It helps them become more flexible thinkers with superior listening skills.
- Learning a second language has a positive effect on learning your first language skills. In other words, learning French improves your English language skills. By the end of the elementary school years, students in immersion often outperform those in a monolingual program on literacy tests.
- French Immersion students meet or exceed English program students’ performance in mathematics.
- Students in French Immersion have higher self-esteem, better social skills, and more open-minded, empathetic individuals.

History
Founded in May 2002, L’Ecole Française du Maine is a non-profit organization that provides bilingual education for Maine people. Recognizing the numbers of Franco-American citizens concentrated in this area, the founders hoped to create a French learning experience for the children of people who grew up with French-speaking parents and grandparents, thereby passing that cultural heritage to the younger, English-speaking generations. Today, as in 2002, the rigorous educational program contributes to the French language's renaissance in Maine and the development of our students into ambassadors of peace.

Accreditations and Scholarships
L’Ecole Française du Maine/The French International School of Maine (EFDM) offers a unique approach to bilingual and multi-cultural education through immersion in the French language. EFDM is an IB World School (International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme).
The French International School of Maine is also accredited "homologué" by AEFE and the French Ministry of Education. EFDM offers the possibility of bilingual education in close partnership with the Mission Laïque Française (MLF), renowned for successfully managing French schools abroad (more than 55,000 students in 41 countries), the French Ministry of Education and its prestigious international network of 400 schools (AEFE / FISNA) and the Association of French Schools in North America (AFSA) which comprises 53 primary, elementary and secondary schools in the United States and Canada, all of which are accredited by the French Ministry of National Education.
The Maine Department of Education approves the school, and the Child Care and Extended Care are fully Licensed by Maine DHHS/CDC. French curriculum and the Maine Learning Results are combined to allow students to transition into any school in Maine and abroad.
If your child is a French national registered at the Consulate in Boston, you may qualify for tuition assistance through the Government of France. The application process for this scholarship requires filing your US tax returns early.
School Council
Le Conseil d’Ecole, or the School Council, is an important part of our school. To reflect the ideas and opinions of the entire school community, the Council is made up of the school Director, all teachers, the Inspecteur de l’Education Nationale (IEN), as well as four parent representatives.
The Council’s responsibilities include voting on school rules; addressing questions related to school life; developing after school and enrichment programs; organizing sports and cultural activities; and ensuring the safety and security of the school and its members.
To submit comments, questions or concerns to the School Council, please click here.


If you are interested in teaching at L’Ecole Française du Maine, please send a cover letter, resume/CV, and three written references to: info@ecolefrancaise.wpengine.com
L’Ecole Française du Maine
PO Box 737
South Freeport, ME 04078
Non-discrimination Policy:
L’Ecole Française du Maine is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from harassment and discrimination. No employee of the school, student of the school or applicant to the school shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or sexual orientation. We will also not tolerate any harassment or discriminatory conduct by any third party visiting our school, including parents, trustees or vendors.