Come and Say Hello!

Natalie BITTON, our Director of College counseling reflects on her 18 years at the Lycée, during which she built a thriving program designed to nurture the unique potential of each of the 800+ students she has guided. In this blog post, she also discusses the evolution of the college counseling program, emerging trends in college admissions, the role of AI, and much more.

As parents, we often worry about how much time our children spend in front of screens. The phrase "screen time" immediately triggers concerns about passive, mind-numbing consumption. We imagine kids glued to videos, playing games, or scrolling through endless streams of content. But what if we shifted our focus from how much time they spend on screens to what they are doing during that time?

At the heart of every successful educational institution lies a strong, vibrant community. This is no different at the Lycée Français de San Francisco, where community is not just a concept—it’s the foundation of who we are. “Community is not just a buzzword,” explains Emmanuel Texier, Head of School. “It’s the heart of our school’s identity. Every parent, teacher, and staff member works together to create a nurturing environment where students thrive academically and personally.”

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, education can no longer be limited to traditional classroom learning. High school students need more than just theoretical knowledge to thrive in the dynamic landscape of the 21st century. They need real-world experiences that help them develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills—qualities that are increasingly valued by both universities and employers. One innovative educational initiative that addresses this need is the Start-Up Lycée program, a beacon of our Open Learning program.

As a parent of two daughters, I’ve found myself navigating the challenge of choosing the right school and program for my children. As an educator, I’ve come to realize one essential truth: the student should always be at the heart of any quality education. Keeping this in mind has been key in making the best educational decisions for my children.

With that perspective, my aim here is to highlight 10 compelling reasons why the International Track program at the Lycée* is an exceptional option within the local education landscape. Whether you’re considering entry at the Middle or High School level, I hope these insights will help guide your decision-making process.