FAQs

Kennedy International School welcomes students entering Pre-K 3 (age 3) through 12th grade.

Students entering our preschool (Pre-K 3 through Kindergarten) do not need to have prior knowledge of the French language. This also applies to students joining our IB Diploma Programme in 11-12 grades.  

Our welcoming environment will allow all of our students to learn French in a calm and nurturing environment through play, songs and class activities. 

Support in both French and English is offered based on the student’s needs. 

From 1st through 5th grade, students must have a solid foundational knowledge of French to be admitted to our school. However, for students who do possess knowledge of French, but who are not fully proficient, French as a Foreign Language (FLE) instruction will be provided to strengthen students’ French language skills.

Yes, our English program follows the New York State learning standards for all subject areas. Providing these standards ensures that our students can easily transfer to any private or public school, should they choose to.

About one third of our students do speak a third language at home. Children whose family speaks a language other than French or English tend to flourish at Kennedy International School. Bilingualism makes it easier to learn a third language.

Yes, please review our official school uniform.

Click here to read more about the lunch options provided to our students.

Kennedy International School is devoted to providing students with a transformative and rigorous bilingual education. Bilingualism is an incredible tool that offers many advantages including increased cognitive function, improved cultural and social skills, and strengthened memory and recall abilities. Not only that, but bilingualism is becoming progressively more valuable in a globalized economy and society.

Some of the many cognitive functions that are enhanced through bilingual education include problem-solving and pattern-recognition abilities. As these skills are strengthened, academic performance and linguistic awareness are developed further. A 32-year study by Thomas and Collier from George Mason University indicated that students who had a bilingual education and that spoke multiple languages had greater achievements than their monolingual peers, especially in math, reading, and vocabulary.

Studies also suggest that bilingualism promotes memory expansion and development. Processing multiple languages simultaneously prompts positive physical changes to the brain including advanced overall brain function and health such as increased gray matter volume and density, improved executive function, and strengthened connections between neurons. With all the proven advantages of bilingual education, it is with confidence that Kennedy International School’s programs will enhance your child’s skills and capabilities and be an integral component in their lifelong success.

According to the Center of Applied Linguistics – Immersion is defined as a method of foreign language instruction in which the regular curriculum is taught through the medium of the language. It is important to note that a foreign language is the vehicle for the content instruction; it is not the subject of instruction. 

Chances of achieving full fluency are greatest when the child starts exposure to the second language at an early age. Our school offers a well-balanced bilingual immersion program. After one year, students are able to express themselves in a second language, especially being surrounded by a community of native speakers. At the same time, students develop their first language skills.

French is spoken by more than 220 million people, in more than 29 countries across five continents. In addition: 

• French is the third most common language globally. 

• French is a melodious and romantic language with a relatively quick learning curve.

• French provides the base for more than 50% of the modern English vocabulary, which improves performance on standardized tests.

• Open the doors to gastronomy, art, music, literature, fashion and architecture.

• Discover a new appreciation for other cultures in countries that speak French like Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, Monaco and many African nations.

• Use French to pursue studies in francophone countries.

• Be more competitive in the national and international job market in disciplines like business, medicine, aviation, law, transportation technologies, global/international distribution and luxury goods.

• French is an official working language of the UN, NATO, the International Olympic Committee, the European Union, the International Red Cross and much more!

To learn more about the benefits of learning French, you can read the article by Richard Shryock: “French, The Most Practical Foreign Language”.