International School Los Angeles Lycée International

Our children have been attending LILA for 4 years. My son started in pre K and is now in 3rd grade and my daughter is now in 1 st grade. They both have learned FRench at school and are both now able to hold a conversation in French. My son is taking Spanish as an after school activity and will start Spanish as a third language formally in 5 th grade. We are very happy with LILA save for the ever increasing tuition. The teachers are all FRench natives and the children speak French all day in class except for one hour of English per day. It is a true immersion. The campus is not very impressive as it is quite small. However, the miracle happens in the classrooms with the wonderful teachers. They are all very committed to the students and pour their hearts into their work. There is no bullying. The 5 th graders take the younger kids under their wings like big brothers and sisters. The campus is small so everyone knows everyone. We are like a big family. I am looking forward to my kids becoming citizens of the global world with the great education and exposure to culture that they are getting here. There is great diversity as well with many nationalities represented on campus. My kids are of African descent and are treated with much love by everyone in campus. We love LILA!!

LILA is such a special place. My two children are enrolled in preschool and elementary, and both love school so much that they never want to leave. We're an English speaking household, so I was interested in how the French would go -- it's been incredible to watch the progress (my 1st grader is fluent). The language immersion encourages the children to conceptualize more creatively and experience the world as a true global community. Our teachers, administrators and fellow parents lead with curiosity and compassion, with the shared goal of cultivating a school environment in which all our children can thrive. In particular, I love the work the school is doing around diversity & inclusion, learning differences, and social/emotional development. Academic rigor is of course a priority, but nurturing confident, resilient, empathetic citizens is just as important, if not more. LILA does a wonderful job of integrating these values into the curriculum and into every aspect of school life. We're so grateful to be a part of this community.

No data for academic achievement. Students perform way below their peers in other public or private institutions.

I'm the father of two daughters currently attending the ELC and Elementary school. I love the international school culture (teachers, parents and overall vibe), as well as the smartly structured bilingual development from preschool through high school. The school's focus on "speaking and thinking globally" is clearly embodied in the high schoolers and graduates I've met, and the great US and international universities they're all going to.

LILA is an incredible school! We have two children enrolled in preschool and elementary. While our family has no french background, we fully subscribe to the international curriculum and focus on critical thinking. Initially we were a bit intimidated by not having any french spoken at home, but we were warmly welcomed and assured by the diversity of the school families -- there are plenty of families that do not speak french at home or speak another language entirely. We are consistently surprised how quickly the language comes to our young kids. The teachers and staff are dedicated and their love for the children is apparent. The parent community is very active and diverse with plenty of opportunities for engagement.

Re: COVID, during the initial lockdown, the school pivoted quickly to virtual learning and over the summer had refined and vastly improved the experience. We now have a first-hand view of the teacher interactions and lessons with the class and remain impressed with how energized and committed our teachers are. While our preschooler is able to attend class on campus, we anxiously await the schools to open for in-person learning for the older grades and have full faith in the school to do so safely.

We are not French speakers but our daughter is in her third year at LILA in Los Feliz and we are very happy there. The teachers and administration are warm and attentive. The parent community is very welcoming to new parents and everyone is dedicated to supporting the school (Parent Association) through activities, fundraisers, volunteering, etc. As a private school in LA, it's very reasonably priced and offers financial aid. Throughout this pandemic, I have watched the administrators and teachers go to great lengths to keep our community together and our children learning.

LILA is an absolute gem of a school. We searched all of Los Angeles when choosing an elementary school for our children, and commute from Studio City to attend the Los Feliz campus. We are not a French-speaking family, but our children thrive here, and were both fluent by 1st grade. Studies have pointed to several potential benefits of the bilingual brain, including increased cognitive flexibility, working memory, attention, and focus. But, in addition to language benefits, we chose LILA for its overall excellent pedagogical approach. Here, teachers have high expectations and encourage independence, and we have seen our children and their peers rise to these expectations and exceed them time and time again. The teachers exude warmth, investment, and energy that inspires the kids, but also have high standards and don't patronize them. The children at LILA are engaged, confident, possess impressive executive function, and are some of the most creative individuals I've encountered. Have a conversation with any student at LILA and you will plainly see something magical is going on at this school.

Our family loves being a part of the LILA community: an international, eclectic, and stimulating group of families. And we like that the school gives our children a global perspective on the world. These kids understand our interconnectedness, are passionate about social and climate justice issues, have respect for other cultures, and exhibit increased empathy.

The administration and teachers have handled the COVID-19 crisis with impressive flexibility and creativity. The school has provided excellent communication, and remains nimble and open to feedback to better serve the community in this crisis. Remote learning is, of course, not ideal, but the teachers have handled the transition well, and the kids remain engaged and learning. We hear that the school has provided increased financial aid to families this year, and have seen it make numerous technological improvements to continue to meet its high educational standards.

Despite the review to the contrary, I can attest that the school closed completely by end-of-day Friday, March 13th, 2020, and that all learning since that day has been virtual. Students are not, nor have ever been, allowed on campus since that day. The only time anyone has been on campus has been to pick up remote learning materials, remaining in cars, with masks, at a safe distance. Preschool and Pre-K kids have been allowed back on campus this fall for in-person learning, in accordance with state and city guidelines, and are abiding by and exceeding all official protocols, including enforcing a strict on-campus mask mandate. This is a school that believes in science.

If LILA interests your family, I recommend touring the Burbank high school campus, as well. Students there are even more impressive and the experience helped give us a more comprehensive idea of what the school has to offer.

Amazing school!! I can't thank these teachers and administrators enough for their professional handling of a very challenging year.

My child started at the Early Learning Center in Los Feliz and is now an elementary school student. My child is thriving and is even likes teaching me French words. The school is working their plan to greatly improve Diversity Equity and Inclusion which is very important to many of the families. In addition to the stellar education the children receive, the parent community is hands-on and welcoming.

Our experience at LILA has been outstanding! Our daughter begin in pre-K with Mr. Benoit who was AMAZING! Our daughter is shy and reluctant to attend school. Further, she didn't speak a lick of French. She adjusted well and understood basic conversational French by the end of the year. The Kindergarten teacher was equally engaging. Now in first grade virtual learning we continue to make progress in speaking, listening, reading and writing in three languages! A truly remarkable education and confidence building for our shy little girl.

Once I learned the darling school under the Shakespeare Bridge was a French Elementary school, I knew this is where I'd send my future offspring for a bilingual education. Thankfully we loved the school upon our first tour. There wasn't another pedagogy I wished for our daughter. School provides many things -- education, socialization and childcare. All three are high quality and most importantly approached with copious care. Nordine, the campus director, is always approachable and clearly loves and understands children. We are in our fourth year and our daughter adores her teachers -- I'm continually impressed with them year after year. LILA provides a bespoke, well-rounded education for the child in front of them. They truly care about diversity and inclusion on every level by bringing in speakers from various fields to educate parents. They have done an exceptional job during Covid -- they listen to concerns from parents, constantly refining. PLUS... children are surrounded by international students and culture constantly. We adore LILA!