About Us: Our Facilities
In 1997, we purchased our first permanent home, moving from our previous location in Bryn Mawr to North Highland Avenue in Bala Cynwyd. Originally built as an elementary school, the campus now houses our Lower School. In 2006, we acquired a 12,000-square-foot property to serve as our Upper School for our older students. Located on City Avenue in Bala Cynwyd, it is just a few minutes away from the Lower School.
The French International School of Philadelphia is conveniently located on the Main Line, less than 20 minutes from Center City Philadelphia; it is immersed in an academically and culturally rich environment which enhances the school’s programs. Our immediate neighbors include Saint Joseph’s University and the Arboretum of the Barnes Foundation.
Lower School Campus
Our Lower School, which houses preschool through third grade, is a two-story building on a two–acre site. Half of the building and the land is owned by the Township of Lower Merion and houses the Bala Cynwyd Public Library, which our students can access from inside the school building. The other half is owned by the French International School of Philadelphia and houses the school. Since the property that the school purchased was built in the 1970s as an elementary school, it came readily equipped with all the necessary amenities for an educational program.
The ground floor includes six spacious and large classrooms, and a large multipurpose room which is used as a gym, cafeteria and assembly room.
The second floor includes nine bright and comfortable classrooms as well as our music and science rooms, technology lab, French resource center, faculty room, and an office suite for our administrative staff.
The French resource center offers our students access to a large collection of French books and resources. Students also can make worldwide connections through the Internet from their classroom and technology lab.
The school’s outdoor space includes a fenced-in area for young children’s play. It is equipped with a climbing structure and play equipment, a recently remodeled junior play area, a playing field and a paved play area. Our ground-floor classrooms have direct access to our young children’s playground through their own doors – which are kept locked during the day.
The front door is controlled and monitored electronically.
Upper School Campus
In 2022 we completed the expansion of the Upper School campus, proudly offering three new mission-matched spaces: the Air Liquide Center for Science and Innovation, the Casey-Willig Arts Center, and a recreational green space. Click here for more information regarding our new state-of-the art facilities.
Built around the same time as the Lower school, the two-story building that houses our Upper School Main building last was occupied by a radio station. For that reason, it is particularly well insulated and provides a quiet and peaceful environment for our upper grades. It was entirely remodeled and renovated upon its purchase and can house as many as 150 students.
For several hours each week, they have access to a local gymnasium located around the corner from the Upper School and participate in swimming classes through local partnerships.