History
La Petite Ecole was founded in 2005 as Columbia’s first language immersion school. Our first programs followed our unique French Immersion model and focused on preschool-aged children. As our community of families, students, and staff grew, we were encouraged to grow our programs as well.
In the fall of 2016, we took a leap and opened our Kindergarten program. When we added this program, we expanded our language offerings to include English. With this step we became Columbia’s first Dual-Language School (French and English), and innovated once again!
How exactly did we incorporate English into our French Immersion model?
The 80/20 Model
Our method of Dual-Language Immersion features an 80/20 model in which 80 percent of instruction is in French, and 20 percent is in English. We continue to offer our students a high quality language immersion environment for part of their school day, while providing additional instruction time in English only, if enrolled in a Dual-Language Program.
In each of our programs, there is a distinct separation between French and English classes. Our teachers speak to the children in French during French class and in English during English class and never use simultaneous translation. We found that this model provides children with the best possible language immersion education in addition to an excellent academic curriculum.
We are amazed every day by the progress we see in our students. Many of our students have gone on to be accepted in gifted education programs at the elementary level and have been exceptionally successful in their subsequent schooling. After experiencing so much success in growing our programs, we were able to expand our offerings once again to include Elementary Programs through 5th grade in 2019.