I have my children in this school, currently. it s been 2 months. The teachers all seem very nice and knowledgeable. The community seems just as nice, and it feels pretty welcoming. The classrooms are nice and so the playground. The admins are nice and the staff in general is nice. now the price makes absolute no sense. We were in Francophone Charter School the previous years. And long story short, we had to change school. FCSO is by no means a perfect school but it is Free, Diverse and the community is awesome and the academic program is very good. If you are looking for a French bilingual school, have a look at Francophone Charter school of Oakland. Send your kids there, save 35K / year. Instead, support FCSO with 3K and they will be very happy, spend 5K in after school programs. Your child will thank you for life. You will have a nicer car and have nicer holidays thanks to the money saved. read more

EB is just an amazing school, there are so many metrics along which you can see this. The teachers are simply awesome, and they are doing a terrific job. You can see this by the average longevity they stay at the school. Some of them have been there for over 30 years, and it shows that the school is an amazing community, that goes way beyond the teaching aspect. Also, some of the teachers have taught two generations already, i.e. they taught the parents, and now they are teaching the children!!!! This shows many parents love it so much that decades later when they have kids, they send them there for the same experience. This is very special, and very few schools have this. In particular many of the schools in the East Bay have very quick turnover, EB is stable! In the last 5 years (since my kids have been at the school), the management has just been spectacular. It is exemplified with the amazing way they handled COVID, managing the transition to online masterfully, managing the transition to "back to school" even more masterfully. The kids are tested for COVID multiple times each week, online apps track, and as a result, the number of cases is extremely low. The management is in constant contact with schools around the world in various networks (incl. French) and has adopted best practices around the world, in accordance with local regulations (county and State). The school has also embraced technology very well, in the classroom, outside of the classroom, in covid etc. Robotics activities have flourished (and will resurrect at full speed in the post-pandemics world). A joy to see, and which also leveraged the proximity of UC Berkeley. The community is amazing! Before COVID, there was a huge number of activities centered around French culture and beyond, the famout Marché, the Gala, and many others. I have put two pics attached, which shows activities of the kids outside of the classroom. There is a tradition also, the kids each bring apples (either from the market or from their garden - some parents have apple trees (!)), and it all gets put in the "juice maker" which produces fresh apple juice (with the garden teacher) for the kids to drink on the spot! On apple juice day, my son is beaming! read more

Ecole Bilingue De Berkeley - The school has embraced technology really well! - Elementary Schools Near Me - Berkeley, California

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All my kids went there and loved it. They had great teachers and made lifelong friends. As a French born American, I found an impressively diverse, caring and lively community. The non American, non French families are worth a special mention in my opinion. They come from all continents and together represent ~50 countries (how is that for a school of ~500 students?). Many do not have English or French as a language spoken at home and still choose eb for their kids. I think this is the best proof of how much of a gem eb is. read more

We found EB in a serendipitous conversation with another very satisfied parent, and have never looked back. It's a wonderful community built around strong values. Students, faculty, administration and parents all generally seem to recognize how lucky we are to be a part of this group. Class size is small and the student-to-teacher ratio is about 11-1 (I think.) Our son is in just his third year and is thriving from the personal attention, strong curriculum and the number of people who know him as an individual. It's pretty heady stuff for a 6 year-old. For me as a graduate of public schools in San Francisco, EB is almost a fantasyland of resources and well-trained staff that are mindful and engaged and well-supported in their efforts to educate our kids. Neither my wife nor I speak French, and have not found that to be any barrier to enjoying or participating in school life. On the contrary, the broad cultural influences of the 50 nationalities represented by school parents is a wonderfully diverse mix of backgrounds, skills and interests that make it as engaging for parents as it does for the kids. We've found that beyond the obvious benefit of our son learning to speak idiomatic, unaccented French, his learning path is enhanced by understanding that there are many cultures in the world. The obvious question with regards to choosing language is "why not Spanish or Cantonese?" From the contemporary perspective of business and immigration, that is the right question. But 20 years ago the drive was to educate kids in Japanese in preparation for a new generation of Japanese financial hegemony. We think that popular languages will come and go, but the skill of bilingualism or multilingualism will last a lifetime. EB isn't just about acquiring French skills, it's about preparing the mind to learn in many ways. If you think of it as a great private school that just happens to overlay French language skills, it's a great bargain and opportunity. Plus, they serve wine and cheese and the orientation nights for prospective parents. How can that combination be a bad thing? Highly, highly recommended. read more

My son has gone here since kindergarten, which you have to do if you don't speak fluent French. There are lots of Anglophone households, so you won't be in the minority if you don't speak French at home. Why French? Well, everybody there has their own story, but mostly it seems to be because the school has an incredibly international flavor. There are over 60 native languages represented, and it has true diversity, so much of it that kids can't polarize into the usual 3 or 4 ethnic groups they do anywhere else. More importantly, the French really believe in education and are passionate about pedagogy; this translates into an amazing program. In many classes, such as Math and Social Science/History, he has them in both languages to take advantage of the better aspects of each system. The education has been very good, and more importantly, my son has acquired a very cosmopolitan attitude, including tolerance of others' differences. He speaks French like a native, and the couple of times we've been in France, they've taken him for a local kid. (and the girls think he's sexy...) It's helped him pick up bits of other languages very quickly, including a little Italian where we were there, and now that he's in the middle school, Chinese. He eats everything, and I mean everything. Oysters, chicken feet, stinky cheese, uni... The downside is that his grades are fairly mediocre because the level of the other students is so high. The upside is that he is surrounded by people who take education seriously. While I'm sure that he'll experiment with all the same things that most kids do, it seems to be a bit delayed there; having 14 classes in 7th grade keeps a guy too busy to be figuring out how to get high!;-) They've got programs in the arts as well as encouraging students to take park in environment and community assistance volunteering. We'll be sorry to leave. read more

They do not provide equal education for all. I have a smart son who is attending 5th in this school but he did not get the help to learn how to write a sentence. Every year the teachers told me the same weakness. It sounds like broken record. The weakness is writing. I helped him with his math and he gets high score in MAP test every year. The bar graph shows he is the highest than nation and EB school. He reads all time he got high score in reading MAP test too. Save your money!!! Only God knows what French level he is. Well I have a lot of work left to do reverse the problem EB created. Update will follow . I am from Africa and my strength is in math not writing. To make up for the lost I have to get him private teachers. The people in EB are nice but education is "0" . This will be his last year in EB. read more

OK, I'll be the first. I've been a parent of EB-educated kids for 13 years. EB has taught my two children to be tolerant, good-humoured, analytical, and patient. They speak French so well that natives don't even realize they grew up in Berkeley and Oakland. Graduates get into just about any high school and college they want, and they will help change the world to be a better place. Not a whole lot else you could ask for from a school, I think. I'd send my children there again in a heart-beat. read more

My children have been attending EB for three years. The school is very well organized; French teachers and administration staff are top notch. I'm particularly impressed by how the school handled in person learning during the pandemic. read more

I used Ecole for two of my kids, and found it in the main a terrific school. Because the teachers are so unique, many of them French of course, they differ enough that every year there are some very individualistic approaches to learning. For me this is a relief from American schools that so often have a cookie cutter sort of atmosphere, no matter how independent the teachers try to be. The French system they use is pretty much total immersion, which again is a wonderful benefit in a country like the US with way too few languages represented. My kids were speaking French fluently within two years. One star off for their less than wonderful playground. Still not enough grassy area, though they continue to have special gardening programs, so really it's just the play area that bothers me. There's plenty of play time, but just not quite enough of that spreading out on dirt/grass that kids sometimes enjoy. read more

EB is a great school! The teachers and the administrative team are doing an amazing job. The kids are very happy! I like the global and diverse exposure they give to kids, even in pre-school. It's never too early! read more

Strong academic program? Check. Reputation for producing respectful, confident, and cosmopolitan critical thinkers? Check. Diversity up the wazoo? Double check. We currently have two ankle biters enrolled at EB (mid kindergarten and kindergarten) and they are thriving in this aforementioned nurturing environment. They LOVE going to school- how great is that? For parent(s), you'll find a variety of folks from all over the world, from different socioeconomic backgrounds, and with nearly every traditional/nontraditional/ interracial mixture in between. Some families only speak english at home, some are bilingual, some are polyglots- but all the kids come out speaking beautiful french and english. As we live in an increasingly pressure filled world requiring tolerance and respect (n.b. TSA), EB delivers. You'll find loads of parents participating in class projects, school related functions, fundraising, and some that choose not to participate at all...and it's all good. "Okay. They'll be all worldly and bilingual. What about learning hard core science & math?" a bespectacled gentlewoman in the background asks. As a guy of science myself, let me simply say that I am not worried. It's thorough, it's rigorous, and I'll leave it at that. Downsides? Far and few in between. Facilities (ie, playground) need an upgrade, but the wheels are already in motion for a major upgrade in the next few years. Tuition is not for the faint of heart, but financial aid is available and the cost is similar to peer schools. In the end, around here, you get what you pay for. Finally, if only the school extended beyond 8th grade, it would be as close as a Muggle school gets to Hogwarts. read more

We have two children at EB and could not be happier with the education they are receiving. Thoughtful, creative, and warm teachers, bilingual education (the kids are playing in French when I pick them up at the end of the day!), diverse and international community, attention to the "whole child." We feel very lucky and cannot recommend EB highly enough. Many alumni children too...a positive sign! Worth visiting for sure. read more

My son has been attending here for the past year after a few years in France. I'm pretty happy with the school and the biggest factor is that my son is always happy and has grown to be more confident. The staff and teachers are very loving and nurturing, and it begins to feel like a close knit community. My son is Asian and he feels very welcomed at this school, which is a bit different from our experience in France. After school there is supervised care and while we didn't utilize this much in the beginning, we use it everyday now, because my son simply adores it and it pleases me so much to see him happily playing when I come to pick him up. Kids are supervised by several adults, many who engage with them (instead of just watching them from afar), organize games, know your kids by name, and actively play amongst them. When there was smoke in the air one day, they took the children indoors to play. I love that I don't have to worry about my child when he's at school, because the staff truly care what's best for the kids. There are different activities for the children and some play on the playground, play basketball, skateboard, go to the reading corner under the canopy of trees, karaoke room, or the art center. In addition, they have several after school activities like piano, chess, fencing, violin, yoga, and many others. Next year, the playground is slated to double in size. For after school care, they also provide and buy only organic snacks, which is a huge plus! Usually fruit and some kind of cracker, etc. They also use Kidchow service for lunch, which serves organic and natural lunches. You can also pack your own. As for academics, I'm very happy my son continues to build on his french (yes, he is bilingual now) and happy with his male teacher, who is also a great role model for my son. Overall, I'm blessed we found this school. read more

We have had two kids attend EB for several years and we couldn't be happier. The quality of the teaching staff is top notch. The class room sizes are small and the teachers really invest into and love the kids. French is not what we speak at home but both kids have now picked it up extremely well which is amazing. The after school care is fantastic - done by the same staff without any transition so they kids just roll right into it and love it. Our kids are well rounded, well taught and have excellent and friendly friends. If I could do a 6 star review, I would. Can't say enough great things. read more

Our family loves EB! I am alumni of Ecole Bilingue, having attended K-8th grade, and my daughter is now in her first year at the school. The academic and cultural education that EB provides children with is world-class. I am so happy and confident sending my daughter there because I know how prepared I was for all my subsequent education. The foundation I recieved from EB truly helped me make my way through high school, college, and law school with relative ease. And perhaps the best part about EB is the cultural competence it produces in children. I believe that students of EB can go anywhere in the world and acclimate proficiently. Another testament to the school is that each and every one of my former classmates there have turned out to be good people with great opportunities for success. Simply put, I have complete faith in EB! read more

EB was amazing :) i have so many great memories there and the teachers were awesome. all the trips were the best! i know that the friends i made there will always be my friends for a long time read more

My daughter is graduating this year after attending EB for 11 years. I cant say enough about how much we love this school. My daughter is very articulate, bilingual, has a global perspective, and is a hard working student as a result of being taught and guided by the amazing teachers there. Everyone at the school truly cares about the well being of the students. I am so grateful for the time we have had at EB and hope many others get to experience the high quality education that the school offers. read more

Excellent academics, engaged and committed faculty, welcoming and friendly community. Our family was new to EB in fall 2015 having moved from Boston. We have two boys in grades pre-K and K and are delighted with their engagement in the school and their progression learning French in a short time. The faculty, consisting of native French speakers, are energetic, thoughtful, and caring. I don't speak French myself, but feel completely welcome in the community of parents. (my kids are teaching me a little bit of French, which is fun). The community is global and diverse. The curriculum includes foreign languages, of course, and the school is launching a STEM initiative as well. I enthusiastically recommend EB!! read more

Great School! I dont speak French at all. In only two years my son is already speaking, reading and singing in French! The school is a small community and everyone knows and supports each other. Apply early! read more

Well worth considering, especially if you start as early as Young Pre-K, at age 3 or so. Worth continuing on in the French system for 9th grade too (only in SF though) to complete the Diplome de Brevet. Great preparation all the way around, and friends for my daughter for life. read more

I would ask a lot of questions about two areas specifically that are of great concern. First, the content of the curriculum right around the fourth grade is, to be polite, antiquated and out of touch, particularly in the social sciences. Second, the security and safety of students is not taken as seriously as it should by the administration. And that is the third issue. The administration is very difficult to deal with, particularly if you have concerns about the vulnerability of your child or if the child has had a bad experience. Their concern is for the reputation of the school rather than the child, being all too ready to sweep incidents under the rug. Buyer beware. read more

My wife and I moved from San Francisco to Berkeley to enroll our son in Ecole Bilingue eight years ago. From pre-K through Grade 5 he's thrived in a culturally diverse community where the nurturing of empathy underscores every learning experience. The dedicated faculty embrace the rigorous French curriculum while at the same time allowing for creative self-expression. The looping of first- and second-grade is an outstanding means of inculcating good reading habits to the children -- in two languages -- that provides an excellent foundation for self-directed learning. Today, in Middle School, our son continues to develop strong study habits that will serve him well in the most challenging high school environments. (He's also fortunate to be benefitting from the expansion of the 901 Grayson Street campus this year -- that will include more classrooms and a 'makers space'.) Above all, EB is community of bright, optimistic teachers, administrators, and families who share the belief that as true 'citizens of the world' our children will realize their full potential. read more

One of my kids graduated from Ecole Bilingue and the other one is still a student. Not only do they both speak French fluently but even more importantly they developed a sense of appreciation for cultural differences, a global perspective, and an appetite for exploring the unknown. We traveled to new countries in the past year, in the Caribbean region and in Eastern Europe, and my spouse and I were surprised by how easily and quickly they adapted to different languages, cultures, foods...My older kid got into honor maths in high school, has developed self-confidence (without attitude), and acquired strong self-organization skills. I give EB credit for it. read more

This school has a great global focus and many wonderful people (parents and teachers). However, the administration is incredibly difficult to deal with, especially Thierry Durandard (head of the lower school) and Antoine Portales (director of the business and finance office). It is quite disheartening and frustrating. read more

Well I'm a parent of a preschooler. Even though my daughter has only attended for a year, we are extremely happy with Ecole Bilingue. We only speak English in our household. The preschool program is also 5 days per week, 6 hours per day, (to immerse the children in the language). We had concerns with her acclimating. The school has been very nurturing and attentive. Our daughter has transitioned well and is very happy there. read more

We just visited the school, as we have 2 preschoolers and would like to enroll both of them in the same school. I liked the setting, the children seemed happy , was a little bothered by the way one of the assistant teachers was dressed, all mini-skirt and I thought inappropriate for a school setting. The people I talk to that have children there rave about it, I am still debating myself. read more

We chose Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley 4 years ago (after our move from New York) to continue the more-than-precious bilingual education our two children have been exposed to. We wanted an international community and excellence in education in a very nurturing school. We found everything we wanted at EB. The program and the highly inter-connected community made EB become more than our school: it became our family. The teachers are engaging, the staff incredibly human, and the community full of parents with true hearts. Beside the fantastic overnight trips in US and France, I have been blown away by a particular event that EB organizes: Youth the TEDx Talk event. This is the best experience ever for my 8th grader because this 3 month-process highlights hard-work, critical thinking, and oral presentation preparation. That was wonderful to see and we are grateful to EB for offering this opportunity to our son. read more

My son is entering 3rd grade at EB this year; our 5th year at the school. Yesterday I drove him to school after the long summer break, and he had jumped out of the car and rushed into the school, literally shouting for joy -- "that's my school! I love my school!" -- before I had had time to park legally. Honestly, I thought, is home *so* terrible? EB has been a wonderful school for us. Truly international in its community, structured and rigorous in its teaching but with plenty of room for creative arts and music, and attentive to each individual child's needs and style of learning. We are non-French speaking, and this can be hard for a child in French immersion, but, over the last 4 years, he has become comfortable speaking both French and English. He has learned to read for pleasure in both languages (of course we sometimes have to *remind* him that reading is a pleasure...). The math teaching in the Lower School emphasizes intuition over drill and speed, which I strongly agree with. Overall we have found EB's strength not to be just the French part, but to be a nice blend of European and American curricula that happens to be French-English in its instruction. So you're thinking, why just 4 stars. I'm a tough grader, that's all. We hope to stay at EB for several years to come! read more

My two kids attended Ecole Bilingue from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, and come from a non-French speaking background. Their mother and I chose the school because we wanted them to understand that the US is not necessarily the center of the universe, and learn about other cultures. They got an excellent education, and both were admitted to a respected private high school and highly ranked universities. The school is not suited to every child. If a student is having trouble with English, it's probably not a good idea to throw a second language at him/her. On the other hand, the school seems to have figured out how to teach well in both English and French. The early grades concentrate on French, and it is not until 4th or 5th grade that English is emphasized. Having said that, both of my kids did very well in English once they left EB. What I appreciated most about EB was the very strong sense of community. The mixed American/Francophone parent group produced some of my closest friendships and, given the French emphasis on good food, parent potlucks were always worth attending. read more