French School of New York

What French School of New York does

Lycée Français de New York (LFNY, DBA also known as LFNY) is a private, nonprofit French-American bilingual school located at 505 East 75th Street on Manhattan's Upper East Side, founded in 1935 and operating continuously for nearly nine decades. It serves approximately 1,300-2,500 students from Nursery (Petite Section, age 18 months) through Grade 12 (Terminale), combining the French national curriculum with American educational best practices in a research-driven bilingual immersion model — 100% French in Nursery and 80% French in Pre-K/Kindergarten — designed to protect balanced bilingualism in an English-dominant environment. The school integrates proprietary pedagogical frameworks including Singapore Math methodology, mindfulness meditation (developed with Eline Snel), and cognitive science research partnerships with Dr. Grégoire Borst at Université Paris Cité.

The institution runs a portfolio of programs beyond core academics: a Cultural Center hosting 80+ annual events including the Première Scène Theater Festival and Rough Cut Film Festival; artist-in-residence programs across all grade levels; Saturday French classes and a French Immersion Summer Camp for non-enrolled families; college counseling; and a 354-seat multimedia auditorium available for rental to external organizations. Revenue is diversified across four primary streams: annual tuition (the principal recurring revenue), Annual Fund donations and gala fundraising, facility rentals, and supplementary programming fees ($200-$240 per Saturday session; $25-$40 per Cultural Center ticket). The institution is governed by a Board of Trustees, operates as part of the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) network, and maintains GDPR-compliant data infrastructure.

The Lycée's go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer enrollment targeting NYC families seeking bilingual French-American education, supplemented by inquiry-based admissions with financial aid (both Lycee Financial Aid and French Government Financial Aid) supporting broader accessibility. Customer segments include families seeking K-12 bilingual education, French-speaking families seeking to maintain academic French proficiency, and the broader New York francophile community engaging through Cultural Center events. The institution is led by Head of School Jérémie Bourdon, with Deputy Head Vannina Boussouf appointed in 2025 and Director of Development Caroline Naralasetty (a 1993 alumna) overseeing major fundraising initiatives.

Name

French School of New York

Legal name

Lycée Français de New York

Website

https://lfny.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Lycée Français de New York is a private French-American bilingual school on Manhattan's Upper East Side, serving students from Nursery through Grade 12 with a research-driven French national curriculum, cognitive science partnerships, and an 80-event Cultural Center serving the NYC francophile community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Bilingual Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Language Schools (61163), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Foreign Language Subject Tutoring (School Coursework) (EDANAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Academic Language Support (ESL/EFL for School & University) (EDANACAB), Language & Communication Continuing Education (EDAAAEAF)

Keywords

• Bilingual education
• French-American curriculum
• International schooling
• K-12 education
• College counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from tuition for Nursery through Grade 12 education. Families pay tuition for the academic year for their children's enrollment in the bilingual French-American program.
2. Annual Giving and Donations: The school raises funds through its Annual Fund and gala events. Gala 2026 attracted 750+ attendees and raised significant contributions for the Financial Aid Fund, with support from parents, alumni, and community members.
3. Facility Rentals: Revenue from renting the 354-seat auditorium and campus spaces to external organizations for events, conferences, performances, and screenings.
4. Summer and Weekend Programs: Revenue from French immersion summer camp and Saturday French classes for families (pricing at $200-$240 per 4-week session).
5. Cultural Center Events: Ticketed public events at the Cultural Center including performances, concerts, and cultural programming with ticket prices ranging from $25-$40.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

LFNY is a French-American bilingual school providing rigorous education from Nursery (18 months) through Grade 12 (Terminale), combining French national curriculum standards with American educational approaches. The school operates a direct enrollment tuition-based model, supplemented by cultural programming, weekend/summer French immersion programs, and college counseling services. As an AEFE network member, it serves families in New York City seeking balanced bilingualism, academic excellence, and preparation for top universities worldwide.

Product overview

The Lycée Français de New York is a French-American bilingual school offering a unified educational program from Nursery (Petite Section) through Grade 12 (Terminale). The core offering is its rigorous French-American curriculum combining the French national curriculum with American educational approaches. The school provides supplementary programs including a Cultural Center hosting 80+ annual events, Saturday French Classes for families, French immersion summer camp, after-school programs, and an artist-in-residence program. Additional services include college counseling, digital learning resources, and auditorium rental facilities. The Cultural Center organizes signature events including the Rough Cut Film Festival and Première Scène Theater Festival. The school operates on a bilingual model with recent enhancements to its French immersion approach (100% in Nursery, 80% in Pre-K and Kindergarten).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cultural Center: Cultural center hosting public events celebrating French and Francophone cultures, with over 35 public events per year including live performances and festivals.

Products and services

• French-American Bilingual Education Curriculum A rigorous French-American bilingual curriculum for students from Nursery through Grade 12, combining French national curriculum standards with American educational best practices. Includes research-driven French immersion (100% in Nursery, 80% in Pre-K/Kindergarten), Singapore Math methodology, mindfulness and executive function training, and preparation for top universities worldwide.
• Cultural Center A cultural hub at LFNY hosting 80+ events annually celebrating French and Francophone cultures, including performances, theater festivals, film festivals, artist residencies, and lectures. Open to the school community and the broader NYC francophile public with ticketed admission.
• Saturday French Classes (Samedis matins en français) Weekend French classes for families with young children from 18 months through CM1 (Grade 4), offered in two series: Le samedi des tout petits (18 months to 4 years, $200 per 4-week session) and En famille vers le français (GS to CM1, $240 per 4-week session). Includes music, art, games, and interactive lessons.
• French Immersion Summer Camp Summer camp program offering French immersion activities for children during the summer months at LFNY.
• Primary After-School Program After-school activities and care programs for LFNY primary school students.
• Auditorium and Facility Rental A 354-seat multimedia auditorium available for rental with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, a Steinway Grand Piano, and professional production capabilities. Suitable for conferences, performances, lectures, and film screenings. Reservations handled by Anais Souris.
• College Counseling Comprehensive college guidance and advising services helping LFNY students prepare for and gain admission to top colleges and universities worldwide.
• Artist-in-Residence Program Program inviting artists from around the world to collaborate with entire LFNY grade levels for immersive, weeklong creative experiences culminating in performances or exhibitions.
• Rough Cut Film Festival International short film festival for young filmmakers aged 11 to 18, hosted by the LFNY Cultural Center, celebrating creativity, storytelling, and cinematic craft.
• Première Scène Theater Festival Francophone theater festival bringing together over 400 students from approximately 20 schools across North America, France, and beyond.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students prepared for entry into top colleges and universities worldwide
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015The Lycée is part of the global AEFE network of French schools abroad, connecting it to other French-medium schools worldwide. This affiliation provides curriculum standards, educational resources, and participation in network-wide programs like Nuit du code coding marathons.
• Maison des Affections (Vietnam)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Annual service-learning partnership with an orphanage in Da Nang, Vietnam. Grade 10 students travel annually to organize games, art workshops, and English lessons for children at the orphanage. Partnership has been active since 2014.
• Molière in the ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLucie Tiberghien, founder of Molière in the Park, conducts bilingual theater residencies with Grade 10 students, exploring Molière's work in both French and English through performance and text analysis.
• Villa AlbertineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partnership with Villa Albertine, the French cultural agency in the United States, supporting cultural programming and artistic exchanges.
• Organisation Internationale de la FrancophonieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the International Organisation of La Francophonie supporting French language and culture promotion in the educational context.
• BZH-New-YorkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCultural partner organization promoting Breton culture and identity within the French-American community in New York.
• UnifranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Unifrance for French film promotion and cinematic cultural exchanges.
• French Institute/FilmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with French Institute/Film for French cinematic programming and cultural events.
• Délégation Générale du QuébecminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the Quebec Government Delegation General supporting Quebecois cultural representation and Francophone diversity.
• French Talent USAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with French Talent USA for organizing and promoting French cultural performances and events at the Cultural Center.
• Université Paris CitécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Dr. Grégoire Borst, Professor of Developmental Psychology and Cognitive Science of Education at Université Paris Cité. Dr. Borst conducts Bilingual Brain Week activities, teacher training, and long-term collaboration to ground pedagogical practices in cognitive science research.
• Eline SnelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Dutch therapist Eline Snel, pioneer in teaching mindfulness to children, to implement mindfulness meditation program in elementary school supporting student well-being and executive function development.
• Monica NeagoycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with renowned mathematician and educational consultant Monica Neagoy for review and enhancement of math teaching methodology, including her approach based on fostering wonder at mathematics beauty and concrete learning strategies.
• Carter Burden Gallery (NYC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent artwork from Grade 5 Women's History Month project was featured in a special exhibition at Carter Burden Gallery in New York City in January 2026.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Avenues: The World School: NYC-based for-profit private school offering a multilingual, globally oriented K-12 curriculum. Directly competes for families seeking premium bilingual/international education in Manhattan and operates a similar tuition-driven model with global campuses.
• United Nations International School (UNIS): Manhattan K-12 international school serving multilingual families from the UN/diplomatic community. Highly comparable bilingual curriculum model, similar tuition tier, and overlapping target customer base of globally mobile NYC families.
• Léman Manhattan Preparatory School: NYC private school offering an international, multilingual curriculum from early years through Grade 12. Competes directly with LFNY for bilingual, internationally minded families in Manhattan at a comparable price point.
• Lyceum Kennedy French Bilingual School: NYC French-English bilingual school offering K-12 education. Closest direct peer in terms of language model and NYC catchment, though smaller in scale than LFNY.

Regional players

• German International School New York: NYC-area K-12 school offering German-English bilingual instruction under a similar international-school framework (partnered with the German government). Comparable in mission and structure but addresses a different language community.
• Lycée Français de San Francisco: AEFE-affiliated French school in San Francisco serving a comparable francophile/expat community. Closest structural peer within the same AEFE network, sharing curriculum standards and pedagogy, but operating in a different metro.
• Lycée Français de Los Angeles: AEFE-affiliated French-American bilingual school in Los Angeles offering the same national curriculum framework. Operates a comparable tuition-and-donation model serving a similarly sized francophone community.

Broad incumbents

• Dwight-Englewood School: Established NYC-area private K-12 school that competes for academically oriented families in the same metro. While not bilingual-focused, it competes on academic rigor, college placement, and premium tuition positioning.
• The Spence School: Elite Manhattan private K-12 school competing for the same high-income, college-preparatory families as LFNY. Comparable in premium positioning and college outcomes, though English-only curriculum.
• The Dalton School: Manhattan private K-12 school with a progressive, intellectually rigorous reputation. Overlaps with LFNY in target customer base of well-resourced NYC families seeking premium college-prep education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCP2T6bB6QusoN_yHvnwisAg
• Facebookfacebook.com/LyceeFrancaisDeNewYork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lycee-francais-de-new-york
• Instagraminstagram.com/lyceenewyork

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about French School of New York