Commonly Asked Questions

We are experts at French and English language instruction and have cohorts of English Language Learners (ELL) and French Language Learners (FLL) in all grades, Toute Petite Section through Grade 8. We do not offer language support programs in the Upper School (Grades 9-12). Students must be fluent in English to participate in our International Baccalaureate program or fluent in French to participate in our French Baccalaureate program.

At least 25% of ISB families speak a third language at home. The more languages a child knows, the easier it is for them to learn another language because their brains have already established the ability to understand a bilingual world. We have many tri- and quadrilingual students at ISB, and our student community speaks more than 30 languages in total.

Nearly half of our students arrive at ISB without previous exposure to French, and approximately one-quarter of our students begin with no knowledge of English. 

In Maternelle, approximately 3/4 of the curriculum is taught in French and 1/4 in English. Starting in Kindergarten and continuing through Grade 8, ISB offers a robust English as a Learning Language (ELL) and French as a Learning Language (FLL) curriculum that includes support in the classroom as well as small-group instruction.

Students who join us in Grades 9 through 12 do not need to be bilingual because they choose between the International Baccalaureate in English and the French Baccalaureate in French. 

Learning a language is a long-term commitment, and the whole family must be involved. As children grow, their exposure to language and literature becomes more and more sophisticated. The longer a child spends at ISB, the easier it will be for them to use both languages professionally after they leave ISB. As our world grows increasingly smaller, the benefits of our multilingual education expand the career possibilities for our graduates. ISB “lifers,” who graduate from Grade 12 with a more profound knowledge of language and the world, have broader opportunities than their monolingual peers.

One-third of our population is French or francophone, one-third is from a binational or another non-French/francophone foreign-national household, and one-third is from a local American household that has an interest in bilingual education with a global mindset and/or our International Baccalaureate program. Our students represent 40 nationalities and speak more than 30 languages. Approximately 30% are students of color.

Applications from siblings of current students and applications submitted before February 15th are given priority. We have no other priority categories, including citizenship.

ISB graduates receive the French or International Baccalaureate Diploma and an American high school diploma. ISB is the only school in New England that offers this dual-diploma option. 

Students do not have to wear uniforms, but each division has its own dress code.

Food is an integral part of ISB culture. All students have a full hour for lunch and recess every day. Families can purchase lunch through an outside food vendor. Students can also bring their lunch. Families are responsible for providing snack. 
 

All doors open at 7:30 AM and close at 6:00 PM. Students can be dropped off as early as 7:30 AM for no additional charge.  

• The Maternelle day is from 8:15 AM to 3:00 PM, with after-school programs until 6:00 PM.
• The Lower School day is from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with after-school programs available until 6:00 PM.
• The Middle and Upper School day is from 8:00 AM to 3:25 PM, although some classes, particularly in the French Baccalaureate track, may extend beyond 3:30 PM. Study hall, clubs, and team practice run until 5:30 PM. 
   

Yes, ISB families have access to two bus transportation options: ISB's Private Bus Service (with two routes, serving Boston, Charlestown, Newton, Waltham, Lexington, Arlington, and Belmont) and Cambridge Public Schools' Bus Service (for Cambridge residents only). The Private Bus Service is a fee-for-service program, while the CPS Service is free for Cambridge residents.

ISB offers a Homestay Program for international students in Grades 9 through 12. Under this fee-for-service program, students stay with local families for the duration of their enrollment at ISB. Please contact admissions@isbos.org for more information.

ISB is authorized under Federal Law to enroll nonimmigrant students. If an international student needs to apply for an F-1 student visa, we will request additional documents in order to issue the I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility).