French American Academy of Jersey City - Jersey City, New Jersey

Sebastien G.

Bonjour à tous,
Commençons par la conclusion, nous recommandons sans aucune hésitation la French American Academy
Après 5 années à la FAA et aux Etats Unis, nous rentrerons en France cet été.
A notre arrivée, notre fille est rentrée en CE2 et est actuellement en 5eme (7th grade)
Quel bilan après 5 ans ?
De notre côté, les critères importants étaient :
1- Permettre à notre fille de devenir bilingue sans prendre du retard sur le cursus français
2- Une intégration facile et un environnement bienveillant
3- Un niveau académique élevé afin de pouvoir continuer pas la suite sa scolarité dans les meilleures conditions possibles
4- Une situation géographique agréable au quotidien et facile d’accès à Manhattan

1-,
Pour la partie française,

- L’école est homologuée par l’éducation nationale
- Les professeurs sont français, avec les diplômes français et ont une expérience d’enseignement en France
- Le programme respecte le programme français

Pour la partie américaine,
- Finalement l’équivalant de la partie Française

Notre fille est maintenant bilingue et à l’aise dans les 2 cursus

2-
Génial. Les effectifs par classe sont de moitié par rapport a une classe en France. Les professeurs et la direction de l’école
- Ont à cœurs d’accompagner chaque élevé.
- Savent s’adapter à la personnalité et au niveau de chacun.
- S’assurent également de créer un cadre bienveillant au sein de la classe.

De ce fait, les élevés s’épanouissent et sont tirés vers le haut.

3-
Au début, on ne savait pas trop comment juger du niveau académique. En France, on peut regarder le taux de réussite au brevet et au BAC d’une part et les établissements ont une plus ou moins bonne réputation. En arrivant à NYC, nous n’avions aucune idée de la façon de juger.
Finalement, 2 éléments nous ont permis de nous rassurer.
Chaque année les élèves passent des évaluations qui permettent de comparer le niveau de l’école avec la moyenne américaine en générale et la moyenne des meilleurs établissements en particulier. Résultat, la FAA a d’excellent score dans toutes les classes
Ensuite, le retour des parents dont les enfants entre en high school ou rentre en France. Ceux-ci arrivent à avoir des places dans de bon établissements.

4-
Pour cette partie, en étant expat, nous avons été ravis d’habiter à Jersey City. C’est facile pour accéder à Manhattan via un métro (le PATH). Le downtown est très bien pourvu en bar, restaurants et autres commerces de proximités. C’est beaucoup moins bruyant que Manhattan. Côté financier, les loyers sont (un peu) moins élevés que Manhattan et il n’y a pas d’impôt sur la revenue au niveau de la ville. (La ville de New York taxe a environ 2% vos revenus en plus de l’impôt sur le revenu ‘classique’)

Martin Blais

Fantastic school. We moved from Brooklyn specifically for an international school that would be free from the influence of current politics/culture and we've found our happy place there. A tad more structure than you'd find in an American school and we love that. Teachers are great, our child is learning a lot and is happy. The building feels a bit traditional, and we love it that way. Our child thrives there - is fully bilingual - and we're planning to send our second too. The community of French and other parents is quite nice too, lots of earnest, unpretentious people. (1st grade)

Elisa Guelfo

I can’t express enough how I’m grateful for the Faa academy! My kids have been enrolled in the school since pre-school.It has been the greatest choice I ever made towards their well being so far ! They have been nurtured and supported at so many levels for all these years and when I look at them and I’m proud of them I know that it was a teamwork and I couldn’t make it without the great support of the Faa ! Grateful forever ! Thank You FAA you are a change in the world !

Jessica de Brignac

My children have attended FAA for many years. We love the focus on academics, sense of community, and diversity of the school. They provide a rigorous curriculum that challenges and inspires students to reach their full potential. The faculty and staff are highly qualified, passionate, and dedicated, and they work to ensure that each child receives personalized education and care. It provides a unique educational experience that prepares students for success in a global society while instilling values of empathy, compassion, and community. I highly recommend this school to any family looking for a quality education and a supportive learning environment for their children.

Steven Pradet

My daughter has attended the FAA since it opened in 2013, and she absolutely loves her school. The management team is very approachable, dynamic, and competent. The 3 sections, K/Pre-K, Elementary and Middle School are equally strong and provide children with a top-notch education, with in my opinion a level of cultural exposure and fully bilingual setting you will not find elsewhere.

Why should you consider this school?
For a French family it is a no-brainer. Half of the teachers come from France bringing with them the culture and teaching philosophy. The level is significantly above that of public schools in France. Even for French parents settled permanently in the US, why deny your child the chance to be completely fluent and be able to communicate in French with grand-parents back home?

For American families, the English program is very rigorous, with advanced materials, and children are at no disadvantage vs those attending the best private schools in the area. 8th graders have gone on to some of the best high-schools in NY/NJ. As a bonus you will enjoy being connected with the international community of the FAA. And yes your child will be bilingual.

Francois DEBRIGNAC

Our 3 children attend the French American Academy in Jersey City, NJ and it is truly a gem in the community. As a bilingual and bicultural school, it offers a unique educational experience that prepares students to be global citizens in our increasingly interconnected world. The school's commitment to academic excellence, cultural immersion, and personalized attention to each student's needs and strengths is truly impressive. Overall, the French American Academy in Jersey City, NJ is a great institution that provides an exceptional education and a truly enriching experience for students and families alike.

Caroline Garnier de K.

Our children are both 100% French and 100% American, and we wanted them to have the best of both worlds. I strongly believe the French American Academy is the right place for them to be. The curriculum is ambitious and unique, in a nurturing environment; it's been an exciting journey to follow the Jersey City school progresses and milestones towards much-deserved success! With so many talented teachers and staff, and such an enthusiastic community of parents coming from all around the world, in a city that was recently elected most diverse city in the US, our kids have been thriving there from Day 1.

Ania J

Our daughter has been attending FAA during this academic year. We have watched her language skills blossom in French and in English. She is truly happy to go to school, while we are happy to follow her age appropriate and creative curriculum. The teachers have been very caring and amazingly responsive to feedback regarding communication and parental involvement.