LNFI FAQ

Immersion is defined as a method of instruction in which the regular school curriculum is taught through the medium of a foreign language. In Saint Paul Public Schools, there are two types of immersion schools offered:

• One Way: Students are taught 100% in the target language. Students typically enter the program not knowing the target language.
• Two Way: Students are taught both in the target language and in English. Some students enter the program knowing only English, other students enter only knowing the target language (such as Spanish or Hmong). 

At L'Etoile du Nord, we provide a one-way French immersion program. “French Immersion" means classroom instruction is entirely in French. LNFI teachers follow the entire Saint Paul Public Schools curriculum just as in other English-speaking schools... we just teach it while speaking French!

A second language is a wonderful gift to give your child. Immersion education is a proven means of stimulating learning that cuts across boundaries of language, socio-economic class, and ethnic groups. Students master grade-appropriate subject content, become fluent in the target language, develop English-language skills at or beyond standards set for English-only programs, and learn to understand and appreciate world cultures.

French is a global language! Knowing the French language can open up the world for your child.

• French is the second most learned foreign language after English.
• French is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world.
• French is an official language in 29 countries across 5 continents.
• French is the only language, alongside English, that is taught in every country in the world. 
• French provides excellent grounding for learning Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian.
• French is a good base for English learners, as much of English vocabulary is derived from French.
• French is an official language of most international organizations, such as the United Nations and the International Olympics Committee.

To learn more about the benefits of learning French, click here.

Families do not need to speak French at home for students to succeed at L’Etoile du Nord.

Most LNFI parents at have very little, if any, knowledge of French. Homework is sent home in English and teachers communicate with parents in English (unless another language is preferred). We find that students are excited to be able to teach their parents some French!

Starting with Pre-K and continuing through 5th grade, L'Etoile du Nord students receive classroom instruction primarily in French. Most specialist classes (Art, Science, and STEAM) are also taught in French. This is unique to LNFI, as most other immersion school options have English-speaking specialists.

Starting in 2nd grade, students begin to receive 50 minutes of English Literacy instruction each day. The rest of their day is still taught in French.

Our teachers are native or fluent French speakers from around the globe, and most have studied or lived abroad. We also host interns from French-speaking countries who assist students in the classrooms.

Our staff members come from or have lived in a wide array of countries, including France, Belgium, Canada, Laos, Vietnam, Togo, Cameroon, Senegal, Benin, Morocco, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Bulgaria, Germany, Japan, and more. Having a mix of both American-born and immigrant staff members makes our team stronger and gives our school a unique perspective.

Every child is unique. Language progression differs from child to child. Here is a general overlook on how students' French skills develop during their time at L'Etoile du Nord:

English reading and writing instruction begins in the 2nd grade. While students' reading in English may be below grade level in the beginning of the year, the skills they have been acquiring in French transfer to English. By the end of 2nd grade, most students are reading at grade level.

Abundant research shows that learning in a second language actually enhances the child's first language ability. In the early years, immersion students may lag behind their peers on standardized tests given in English, but this is natural since all classroom instruction is in French. By the end of 5th grade, LNFI students' English scores typically climb to equal or surpass their non-immersion peers.

Young children are naturally adept at learning languages. To ensure understanding in the classroom, teachers infuse their lessons with visual, musical, dramatic, and kinesthetic techniques. The students themselves begin by speaking in English, but as new vocabulary is introduced, they are encouraged to use more and more French.

When children are distraught or there is a safety concern, teachers may use English to meet the students' immediate needs.

Yes! L'Etoile du Nord is open to all PreK-5 children in Minnesota, regardless of where they live. If you are enrolling from out of district, you will go through the "open enrollment" process and have to fill out a special Open Enrollment form (in addition to the general SPPS school application). Parents can give the Open Enrollment form to our school clerk, fax it to 651-293-5174, or email a PDF of the form to marss@spps.org.

We welcome students to join L’Etoile du Nord at any point in their education, Pre-K through 5th grade.

While the majority of our students enter LNFI in Pre-K, Kindergarten or 1st Grade, it is still possible for older students to join us. We invite interested families with children in 2nd grade or higher to meet with us to ensure L’Etoile is the best fit for their child.

After completing 5th grade at L’Etoile du Nord, students can continue their immersion education through Hidden River Middle School (6-8) and Central High School (9-12).

To learn more about the SPPS French Immersion Pathway and its benefits, go to the SPPS Immersion, Indigenous, and World Languages Department website and click "French."

Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child's education as much as possible - taking advantage of enrichment opportunities, and spending time reading together in English. Homework can be a learning experience for the whole family, since many students enjoy sharing the work they are doing in school, performing stories, poems and songs they have learned, and teaching their parents how to pronounce their spelling words correctly.

There are many volunteer opportunities at school. Many parents enjoy spending time in their child's classroom as well, helping the teacher with “behind the scenes” classroom projects and special events, and volunteering in the library and at PTO functions.

We have many ELL (English Language Learning) students at our school who speak languages at home other than English, such as Spanish, Hmong, Karen, French, and more. These students are assessed by our ELL teachers each year, starting in Kindergarten. If it is determined that your child needs extra help learning English, they will receive ELL services targeted at building English language proficiency along with strong foundations in academic areas.

If you are questioning whether an ELL student can learn French, the answer is yes! Immersion education is often seen as the "great equalizer." Most children come to us not knowing any French. Students all start at "ground zero" together and learn together -- no matter which language they speak at home.

We notice that ELL students who have a strong grasp of their home language do well in the French immersion setting. With their home language as a base, ELL students can build French language upon it using their previous understandings of language. It is also important to note the great number of similarities between Spanish and English, which can assist Latino students when bridging between the two languages.

By learning French from their home teacher, English from their ELL teacher, and their home language from their parents, these students can become trilingual.

Our school's name is L'Etoile du Nord, pronounced lay twal dew nor. It means "The Star of the North" and is also Minnesota's state motto!

If L'Etoile du Nord still feels too tricky to say, you can also call our school LNFI (for L'Etoile du Nord French Immersion).