Two Bilingual Pathways, Two Different Diplomas.
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In This Guide
Most schools offer one curriculum. Lycée Français de San Francisco, a Bay Area day school, offers two, entirely parallel and both fully bilingual, and families must choose which one fits their child before applying.
Quick Answer for Busy Parents
LFSF offers two parallel academic pathways: the French Track, which follows the French national curriculum toward a French Baccalauréat and US High School Diploma, and the International Track, which follows the IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme toward an IB Bilingual Diploma and US High School Diploma. The International Track does not require prior French knowledge.
The Two Tracks at a Glance
| Track | Curriculum | Credential Earned | Prior French Required? |
| French Track | French national curriculum | French Baccalauréat + US High School Diploma | Typically, yes |
| International Track | IB MYP + DP | IB Bilingual Diploma + US High School Diploma | No |
What Sets Each Track Apart
The French Track immerses students directly in France’s own national curriculum, the same one used across the roughly 500-school AEFE network worldwide, culminating in the French Baccalauréat. The International Track instead follows the globally recognized IB framework, culminating in the IB Bilingual Diploma, a credential earned by relatively few American private school students nationally.
Who the International Track Is For
Because the International Track does not require prior French language knowledge, it’s a genuine option for families new to French-language education entirely, not just families with some French background looking for a lighter track, part of what schools look for in applicants more broadly. Students build French proficiency over time within the IB framework rather than needing to arrive with it.
How to Decide
Families weighing the two tracks should consider their child’s current language background, long-term academic goals (a French Baccalauréat can matter more for eventual study in France or other French-speaking countries), and how much existing exposure to the French national curriculum’s specific structure and pacing their child already has. Both tracks lead to schools accredited by recognized international bodies.
Stand Out in the LFSF Admissions with Top Admissions Consultants
LFSF’s two-track structure is one of the clearest signals of its dual identity: an authentically French school and a genuinely international one. Cardinal Education’s private school admissions consulting helps families evaluate which track fits their child’s background and goals before applying.
Not Sure Which Track Fits Your Child?
Cardinal Education helps families evaluate which of LFSF’s two tracks best fits their child’s background and goals.
If you’re an Asian American family researching LFSF, our dedicated guide applies these same fundamentals to Asian American applicants in more detail.
Considering Lycée Français de San Francisco?
Our consultants help families navigate LFSF’s admissions process with clarity and confidence.
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How to Get Into Lycée Français de San Francisco: Ultimate Admissions Guide for Elite Families
The IB Bilingual Diploma: Lycée Français de San Francisco’s Rare Credential