Over 40 years ago, Le Lycée’s founders, Esther and Raymond Kabbaz, saw that to truly equip a child for the modern world, a school needed to provide each child with the ability to learn, to think, and to make decisions based on a sound foundation of logic, knowledge, and character. In this ever-shrinking world, they saw the advantage of teaching children within a microcosm of the worldwide community. They understood the value of a classical education adapted for a modern world. They viewed the children as not just students to process through an educational system, but as whole people in need of a life of purpose and meaning. The school continues their vision to this day.
While Le Lycée is proud of its mission of providing multi-language and multi-cultural education, the school’s philosophy is more about developing students who can excel in a modern world. Students will leave the school articulate in at least two languages. However, if the language emphasis were not there at all, Le Lycée would still be a preferred place for students to gain the tools they need for college and the world beyond college. The school’s students often return and report that classes at any university are a “piece of cake” because they “learned how to learn at Le Lycée”. The challenging discussions of college are on par with the challenging discussions in Le Lycée’s high school classrooms. Le Lycée is not a full-time Berlitz for children, but a rigorous college prep school with a deep respect for learning the languages and cultures of others.
It is also a mistake to think of Le Lycée as a school for French nationals or those of French ancestry only. Many of its students come from homes where French is not, never has been, nor ever will be spoken. As part of the school’s inclusive philosophy, there is an English Language Section as well as a French Language Section so that it might welcome people from all parts of the Los Angeles community and the world to Le Lycée. Some like to say that Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles is “the most American French school in the world”. Typically, 96% of Le Lycée students go to American colleges and universities upon graduation.
Students of Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles are expected to develop the important following skills:
Critical Thinking
- Students who are able to analyze problems from numerous perspectives
- Students who are able to utilize a variety of research modalities in their analysis
- Students who are able to approach problems through dialectic, Socratic dialogue
Multi-lingual Communication
- Students who are able to communicate effectively and have an excellent command of French and English, as well as Spanish, German, or other modern or ancient languages
- Students who demonstrate knowledge of important literary, scientific, and cultural contributions associated with the languages they learn.
College Readiness
- Students who are ready, willing, and able to join a fruitful college life and a successful professional workforce.
Independent and Self-Directed Learners
- Students who are able to work alone or collaboratively
- Students who are able to maintain and appreciate self-discipline
Cultural Sensitivity
- Students who are able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment
- Students who are able to respect the rights of others
- Students who are able to empathize with the plight of others
Social Consciousness
- Students who are aware of current social issues
- Students who are involved in making their communities better
Lifelong Enrichment
- Students who are exposed to the love of music, the arts, and physical fitness