What Sets Us Apart
Curriculum Statement
At San Diego French-American School, our curriculum aims to nurture joyful bilingual, bicultural, and bi-literate global citizens who approach learning with open-mindedness, curiosity, empathy, integrity, and resilience.
The SDFAS program provides learners with the necessary tools to demonstrate self-efficacy, to make interdisciplinary connections, and to transition with confidence to any high school of their choice. Our blended French/English curriculum is a continuously evolving living, breathing entity that is the result of constant collaboration between our educators.
It weaves the Common Core standards, the Next Generation Science standards and the French National Education’s standards in every unit aiming to best serve the diverse needs and aspirations of our students and of our multicultural community.
SDFAS Alum, Seiji Sekiguchi-Ayala, shares how his experience at SDFAS paved the way to his academic success at Columbia and Sciences Po,
Assessment Calendar
At San Diego French-American School, our commitment to academic excellence is reflected in a rigorous and holistic assessment strategy. Starting in 1st grade, students participate in comprehensive French evaluations to ensure mastery of essential concepts and to benchmark our results against other French-accredited schools. These evaluations, known as “évaluations diagnostiques Ministère de l’Education Nationale,” assess students’ proficiency in both French language and math skills.
In Middle School, all students take the DELF Exam, or “Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française.” This certification, awarded by the French Ministry of Education, evaluates non-native speakers across four proficiency levels: A1, A2, B1, and B2. It measures listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills and is widely recognized for academic and professional purposes, serving as an essential benchmark for French language learners.
Additionally, from 1st grade onward, students’ English proficiency is assessed annually through the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) testing. This testing tracks progress in core subjects and provides valuable insights into each student’s academic growth and areas for improvement. This dual-language approach reinforces our dedication to fostering bilingualism and biliteracy, equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in a globalized world.
Furthermore, SDFAS students complete the DELE exam in 8th grade to assess their Spanish competency. The DELE, or “Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera,” is an official certification of Spanish language proficiency awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Education. Recognized internationally, the DELE evaluates reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. It is a valuable credential for academic, professional, and personal advancement.
MAP Test Results
What we value most about SDFAS is its rich academic curriculum, which fosters bilingualism and cognitive flexibility. Learning math and science in two languages through methodologies from two different educational systems enhances students’ problem-solving and critical thinking skills, while exploring history, literature, and creative arts from different countries deepens their cultural awareness.
Yuliya V., Current SDFAS Parent
