We are trying to decide between WIS and the French Maternal School for our 3 year old --french immersion. Any strong feelings?

I have a child currently in Caterpillar's French program. I love the program but it's not a kindergarten program if that's what you are looking for. I would recommend it for a three or four year old and perhaps for a five year old who was entering into a higher-grade school shortly after turning five, but I wouldn't start a five year old in the program.

We're moving back to DC next and will apply to Rochambeau and WIS for French. I have applied to EW Stokes 3 years in a row and DC's WL number has been dismal each year.

The original post was from a long time ago, but I could practically copy it and paste it to suit our needs in a couple of years, as we are in the same boat, so to speak :0) Thought I would give it a shot, though, on the small chance that you would be notified of another comment on here, and find out how it went! where you chose to send your 5 year-old, how it is going, etc?!

Thanks,
Jen

Robert Goddard just lost their principal of 30 years so watch progress of program. Meanwhile John Hanson French Immersion in Southern PG is flourishing and principal is French & has a doctorate in Physics. She comes from Montgomery County & is a strong advocate of STEM. Program has grown and is expanding.

Goddard French immersion in PG county

http://www1.pgcps.org/robertgoddardfrenchimmersion/

Hi there I am in the same situation Rochambeau's fees being too steep and we are an Argentine French couple with kids who are fluent inSpanish and French. About to move to DCand wanting to keep French as the main language any tips are most appreciated

Caterpillar is indeed small, but it's in the 2.5-5 years old range.

OP - I don't think Caterpillar would be a good choice for your 5 year old. It's very tiny - I think about 10 kids total - and they seem to be in the 2-3 year old range.

Thanks. It is really hard as sligo is free and rochambeau is expensive. Both schools seems of good quality. Does MOntgomery school system offer a good middle school system in case we pick sligo.

Keep in mind that Kent Gardens in McLean does not start the French program until 1st grade. K will be all English.

More native French-speaking kids attend WIS or Rochambeau than the publics, which will put you in contact with more French-speaking families for playdates in French, etc. If possible, choose one of those two schools.

3:02, check the following link
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/207018.page

I am in the same situation. I have the choice between rochambeau and Sligo. We speak French at home. We will pay the entire school fees. We plan on staying in the us for the next 5 years. We are not sure if the kids will be as fluent in French with Sligo? Will they be able to switch later on to the French college? Will they be able to read, write correctly in French by attending Sligo? How good is the silver spring international middle school ? Your assistance will be helpful

OP here
Thanks 17:31.
Good English is also important to us, specially when he will start to read and write.
So the conclusion seems to be that public schools would not help maintaining his French at a good enough level.
I forgot to say in my original post that we will probably go back to Belgium after 2 to 4 years, this is one of the reasons for wanting to maintain French.
In Belgium he will then go either to a public French-speaking school, or to the European school (50% French 50% English).

If your goal is for your son to greatly improve his French and be fully bilingual -- and if that is your main priority -- then I think you should just to to Rochambeau. Instruction there is in French, with some English. WIS is half-day English, half-day French (or Spanish or Dutch). Kids like yours will end up being fully bilingual. My impression is that kids whose parents speak no French will be less than fully bilingual.

In you case, both will be fine, but logic dictates that if your son goes to Rochambeau, the likelihood of complete and full fluency in French (whicb appears to be your main goal) will probably be a bit higher (but perhaps complete mastery of English will be a teeny tiny bit greater in WIS) .

Plus Lycee is less expensive.