Our French Immersion Model - L'Etoile du Nord French Immersion

Growing confident, bilingual learners from the very start

L’Étoile du Nord French Immersion helps students grow as confident bilingual learners, curious global thinkers, and engaged members of a diverse community.

No prior French experience is required to join our program in grades PreK, Kindergarten, or 1st Grade.

Starting in 2nd grade, some French experience is required for enrollment so that the child can be successful at an elevated immersion level.

How French Immersion Works at LNFI

L’Étoile du Nord is a one-way French immersion program within Saint Paul Public Schools. One-way immersion means that students are primarily taught in French. Most students enter our program without prior knowledge of French.

L’Etoile students acquire French naturally through classroom interaction, repetition, visuals, music, movement, and hands-on learning. Our classrooms are taught by native or fluent French speakers from around the world.

French is not taught as an isolated subject. Instead, students learn academic content in French while developing communication skills across subject areas. More simply, students do not learn about French — they learn in French.

Language Instruction Progression

L’Étoile du Nord uses a developmental approach to bilingual education.

Students begin in a 90:10 immersion environment during the early elementary years, when children are especially receptive to language learning. This means that 90% of their instructional time is in French, while 10% is in English. Research indicates that the 90:10 model often leads to higher levels of bilingualism and biliteracy.

As students grow more confident in French, English instruction is gradually introduced. Formal English literacy instruction begins in 2nd grade. By upper elementary grades, approximately 65% of instruction is in French and 35% is in English.

This progression supports strong literacy development in both languages while helping students grow as confident, independent learners.

teacher leading small group at round table

Supporting Academic Confidence in Two Languages

Families sometimes wonder whether learning primarily in French will affect academic progress in English. Research consistently shows that students in well-designed immersion programs develop strong literacy skills in both languages over time.

At LNFI, English language development is intentionally supported alongside French instruction.

During the early elementary years of the 90:10 immersion model, the primary focus is building strong academic and communication skills in French while laying the foundation for future English literacy development.

When students begin formal English literacy instruction in 2nd grade, the reading and thinking skills developed in French during PreK–1 naturally transfer to their English learning.

Our goal is to help every student grow as a confident learner who can read, write, and think effectively in more than one language.

Our Intern Program (A Unique Advantage)

Each year, L’Étoile du Nord hosts native French-speaking interns who work alongside our K–5 teachers. These university students, who are studying education in Francophone countries, spend the school year at LNFI through a J-1 visa program.

Interns support classroom learning while giving students daily exposure to authentic language, accents, and cultural perspectives. At L’Étoile, our interns strengthen our program by helping to:

Increase adult support in classrooms
Provide additional small-group instruction
Model authentic French pronunciation
Share global cultural perspectives
Strengthen student engagement

Interns live with volunteer LNFI host families and contribute to our school community beyond the classroom.

To learn more about our Intern Program, visit our Intern Program page.

A Truly Global Learning Community

French is a global language — and at L’Étoile du Nord, students experience that reality every day. Our school community reflects a rich diversity of cultures, languages, and lived experiences.

Learning French in this environment strengthens:

Cultural awareness and empathy
Cross-cultural communication skills
Cognitive flexibility and problem-solving
Global awareness and readiness

Students don’t just learn about global citizenship — they live it. At L’Étoile, language learning is deeply connected to identity, community, and culture.

Our Immersion Model by Grade Level

PreK & Kindergarten

Grades 1-2

Grades 3-5

What Families Want to Know

What if my child doesn’t understand French at first?

This is completely normal. Teachers are trained in immersion strategies that support comprehension through visuals, modeling, gestures, collaboration, and repetition. Families are often surprised by how quickly children begin to understand and use classroom French.

It’s also important to know that student well-being always comes first. When a child is experiencing big emotions, feeling unwell, or facing a safety concern, staff will use English when needed to ensure comfort, clarity, and understanding.

What if we don’t speak French at home?

That is perfectly okay — in fact, most LNFI families do not speak French at home.

Teachers communicate with families in English (or in a family’s preferred language), and at-home assignments and projects are designed so parents can support learning without needing to speak French. Many students enjoy becoming the “French expert” at home and sharing what they’ve learned with their families.

Will my child’s English skills suffer?

No. Research shows that students in well-designed immersion programs develop strong literacy skills in both French and English over time.

Although English reading instruction begins in 2nd grade, the foundational reading, comprehension, and thinking skills students develop in French transfer naturally to English. By the upper elementary years, immersion students often perform at levels comparable to or above their non-immersion peers in English literacy.

What if my child speaks a language other than English?

That is perfectly okay. Many LNFI students speak languages other than English at home. This is not a barrier to success in our program. Research shows that strong home language development, in any language, supports success in learning additional languages.

Students who need English language support receive additional services from our ELL staff while continuing to build strong academic skills in French with their classroom teacher.

Preparing for Middle School and Beyond

By the end of 5th grade, LNFI students have developed strong bilingual literacy skills and academic confidence — and are ready to move on to their next chapter: middle school.

Most LNFI graduates continue their French immersion education by following the Saint Paul Public Schools French Immersion Pathway, consisting of:

Hidden River Middle School (grades 6–8)
Central High School (grades 9–12)

Students who choose to enter English-only programs continue their education with strong literacy, critical thinking, and communication skills.

Our Commitment to Immersion Education

At L’Étoile du Nord, our immersion model is designed to help students become confident bilingual learners who are prepared for academic success and global engagement.

We believe bilingual education is strongest when students learn language through meaningful academic experiences and supportive community engagement.

Our immersion model is strengthened by the diversity of our students, families, and staff, creating a learning environment where language, culture, and community are valued together.

Students who learn at L’Étoile du Nord leave with the academic strength, cultural understanding, and confidence needed to thrive as bilingual learners and global citizens.