About L'Etoile du Nord

Explore the world in a school that feels like home.

For nearly 30 years, L’Étoile du Nord has been more than just a school — it has been a community. A place where children are known by name, celebrated for who they are, and supported every step of their learning journey. Our dedicated staff nurture curiosity, confidence, and kindness while preparing students to succeed in a multilingual, ever-changing world.

L’Étoile du Nord French Immersion is a public, tuition-free magnet school serving Pre-K through 5th grade students from Saint Paul and surrounding communities. You don’t need to live in Saint Paul to attend L'Etoile du Nord — families come to us from many neighborhoods and backgrounds, and together we form a warm, close-knit school family where everyone belongs.

From the moment students walk through our doors, they are cared for, encouraged, and challenged. We believe every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and valued. Our teachers and staff build strong relationships with students and families, creating an environment where children feel confident to take risks, ask questions, and grow — academically and personally.

A Community That Celebrates Every Family

We warmly welcome students from all backgrounds. Our community reflects many cultures, languages, and lived experiences, and we believe this diversity is one of our greatest strengths. It enriches classroom learning, builds empathy, and helps our students develop a broad, global perspective — while also learning what it means to care for and support one another.

A Bilingual Journey Begins Here

In our one-way French immersion program, students learn primarily in French, while meeting high academic expectations across all subjects. At L'Etoile, learning in two languages means more than just becoming bilingual — it means building confident thinkers who think flexibly, solve problems thoughtfully, and see the world through more than one lens.

Families do not need to speak French at home for students to succeed at L’Etoile du Nord. Teachers guide students’ learning in French at school, while families support learning at home in their own language. Together, we ensure every child thrives.

Caring, Passionate Teachers

Our teachers are native or fluent French speakers from around the world, many of whom have lived or studied abroad. Some are even graduates of immersion programs themselves! What truly sets them apart, though, is how deeply they care about their students. They know their learners, celebrate their strengths, and work closely with families to help each student reach their full potential. 

Most of our teachers have been at L’Étoile for over 15 years, and several have had their own children attend our school — a testament to the strong, close-knit community we’ve built together.

Growing With Our Students

The Saint Paul Public Schools French Immersion Pathway provides a seamless, supportive language program from PreK through 12th grade, with a strong focus on academic excellence. Students move through a connected community of schools, developing strong bilingual skills, self-confidence, and close friendships as they grow. The schools that make up the SPPS French Immersion Pathway include:

• L’Étoile du Nord French Immersion School (PreK–5)
• Hidden River Middle School (6–8)
• Central High School (9–12)

 

Beyond the School Day

Families at L’Étoile du Nord can take advantage of a variety of before- and after-school fee-based programs to enrich learning and support busy schedules:

• On-site extended-day care through Discovery Club

• After-school enrichment through Saint Paul Community Education

• Before-school Harmony instrumental music lessons for 2nd-4th grade

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Minnesota Department of Education: SPPS School Report Cards

SPPS Data Center

MDE Statewide Testing