“Celebrating 60 Years of Excellence in Education” proclaims a sign. Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles stands before us. It is more than just a school. It is a testament to a family’s vision and a community’s dedication to bilingual education.
Founded in 1964 by Raymond and Esther Kabbaz. The couple were teachers at the Lycée in New York. They saw a need for French education in Los Angeles. But there was a problem. California law prohibited teaching in any language other than English.
Raymond and Esther Kabbaz didn’t give up. They petitioned in Sacramento to change the education code. Their efforts were successful. Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles opened its doors. It paved the way for other multilingual schools in California. Armenian and Korean schools now flourish because of them.
Clara-Lisa Kabbaz, the current president, followed in her parents’ footsteps. She says it is a joy to watch students grow. They transform from preschoolers into talented high school graduates. These graduates are motivated to attend college. They strive to achieve greatness in the world.
Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles has five campuses. They are located in West Los Angeles and Pacific Palisades. Each campus is designed for specific age groups. This ensures an interactive learning environment.
The school serves students from preschool through 12th grade. Both French and American curriculums are taught. Interestingly students don’t need to know French to attend. Le Lycée offers a rigorous English-language track.
Le Lycée is accredited by WASC and the French Ministry of Education. Graduates earn a U.S. high school diploma. They can also earn the French Baccalaureate. Furthermore the school offers the AP Capstone Diploma. Students have access to 27 AP courses. Graduates attend top universities in the United States and abroad.
Many notable alumni have walked these halls. Actresses like Jodie Foster and Claire Danes attended Le Lycée. Model Christie Brinkley is also an alumna.
Le Lycée offers courses beyond French. Students can study Latin, Greek, Mandarin, Spanish, and German. This prepares students to be well-rounded citizens of the world. Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles stands as a beacon of bilingual education. It is a place where students from over 70 countries come together to learn and grow.