Home/Our Program

Our program

All DBFI students follow a bilingual (French-English) version of the French national curriculum up to high school. In kindergarten and primary school, this pedagogy is based on the PYP methodology (of IB World).

Home/Our Program

Our program

All DBFI students follow a bilingual (French-English) version of the French national curriculum until the end of 8th grade. In kindergarten and primary school, this pedagogy is based on the PYP methodology.

BOOSTER Program

Learn more about Booster Program

Curriculum

At all stages of the program, the school’s approach to teaching and learning focuses on the development of four essential 21st century skills: communication, cooperation, critical thinking and creativity.

The official French program offers seventeen international sections for its International French Baccalaureate. Among these, ICE has chosen to follow the American section.

The American Section of this French International Baccalauréat offers an in-depth English language instruction and a bilingual history-geography program taught by French and American teachers (College Board). It is not a separate degree but a specialization within the French baccalauréat.

In order for ICE to have a strong identity based on ambitious bilingual goals, we have sought the support of the Jeannine Manuel School to share best pedagogical practices, supported by the professional development of our teachers. https://www.ecolejeanninemanuel.org/fr/

Jeannine Manuel School, whose alumni attend the world’s most prestigious universities, has been a pioneer in bilingual education for 65 years, enabling its students to achieve near-native proficiency in both French and English, orally and in writing.

This mastery of both languages allows our students to choose, in Première, between the two tracks that our school plans to offer: the French International Baccalaureate (BFI, American section), and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). ICE is currently a candidate school for the latter** (ICE is already an IB World School, accredited PYP, for the Primary).

Students continuing in the French program can prepare for the International French Baccalaureate, pursued by approximately 1% of French baccalaureate candidates worldwide. The BFI is not only bilingual but also expects candidates to be bicultural. Two educational cultures come into play, two ways of teaching and evaluating students, two approaches to subjects, and two perspectives on education and worldviews.

Students who pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) are encouraged to develop their independence in learning, civic engagement in their local and global communities, critical thinking, and their ability to adapt to the changing world.

** ICE is a Candidate School* for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that ICE believes is important for our students.

* Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme, or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org.

The pedagogical approaches

Our objectives

To master the fundamental academic knowledge
To know how to work in both languages with the same finesse in writing and speaking
Learn to collaborate, respect and understand others’ perspectives
Develop autonomy
Encourage creativity, curiosity and a taste for international culture

Our methods

Kindergarten

In kindergarten, the student’s day is divided equally between French and English. Both languages are taught by a native speaking teacher and an assistant who speaks the same language to promote full immersion in each language.

The student thus experiences both languages every day. We also offer an introduction to the Arabic language in small groups starting in Moyenne Section (KG1).

As early as Petite Section (pre KG), students are introduced to phonological awareness in French in order to start learning how to read, with the Borel Maisonny method, in Moyenne Section (KG1), which is continued and deepened in Grande Section (KG2).

The students then learn to read in French. When reading is acquired in French in Grande Section (KG2), the student learns to read in English in CP (Grade 1) through a transfer that is easily implemented.

Mathematics: We use the Singapore Mathematics Method, which is well known for its ability to establish a solid foundation for learning.
An introduction to phonology in the English language is also present in kindergarten but without entering into reading.

The exploration of the world around the students is mostly done in English as well as artistic and physical activities. We also offer our students a weekly yoga session and, starting in the Grande Section (KG2), an introduction to music and coding.

Elementary

At the elementary school (CP to CM2 / Grades 1 to 5), the student’s day is divided equally between French and English. Both languages are taught by a native speaker teacher who is certified by the Ministry of Education in his or her country of origin. The student thus encounters both languages in an authentic way every day.

Arabic is taught in accordance with local regulations, as are Islamic studies, when applicable. Students studying Arabic as a native language are given extra time in that language as part of the school day. During this time, non-native speakers are offered various workshops, reinforcement or study of their native language. To date, we offer the study of Italian and Mandarin mother tongue.

In CP (Grade 1), the learning of reading in French via the Borel Maisonny method continues – or begins – depending on the student’s previous school experience. Once reading is acquired in French, learning can begin in English and the transfer from one language to the other is smooth and easy.

In all elementary classes, mathematics is taught in French using the Singaporean Mathematics Method of Mathematics, a method known for its ability to firmly ground and establish concepts. Both languages (French and English) are studied in the same way in terms of grammar, vocabulary, spelling, conjugation and writing, taking into account the specificities of each.

For students who do not master one of the two languages, language booster groups are offered daily with a small number of students each for intensive language learning.

History and geography are taught primarily in English, but when bridges between the two languages are possible, certain concepts are studied with both teachers, thus allowing for cross-cultural perspectives and promoting international understanding.

Science is studied through the investigative process, as promoted by La Main à La Pâte https://www.fondation-lamap.org/. We place the students in the position of researchers and scientists. They ask questions, formulate hypotheses, and set up experiments, most often in the laboratory available in the school and draw conclusions.

Physical Education is taught in English according to a rigorous program of activities. In addition, students benefit from a weekly yoga session.
Our students also benefit from weekly sessions of Visual Arts, Music, Oral Expression through Drama and Coding taught by teachers specialized in these fields. In order to make learning even more meaningful for our students, it is organized in bilingual or multilingual projects involving the various subjects.

College

ICE College aims to help each student to develop the skills needed to academic success. Students are taught to academic subjects in French, languages (English, Arabic, Spanish), art, music, drama, physical education, civics, history and geography, life and earth sciences, physics and chemistry, technology and mathematics.

Bilingualism is very present through the reinforced teaching of English, history-geography and science on an equal timetable with French. Additional courses, taught in english, in sports and social studies are also offered.

The courses are taught by a team of passionate and experienced native speakers. The College aims to give our students the tools to think more deeply, work in teams, solve problems creatively and communicate through different media.

Students gradually learn to think critically and use their judgment.
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In addition, to support learning and personal development, digital tools are used in and outside the classroom.

We support students in understanding the contemporary technological environment, its relationship to scientific advances and the needs of society.

We train students to use information and communication technologies in a responsible and civic-minded manner..

High School

At the end of the 10th grade, students will have the choice to continue towards the French International Baccalaureate (BFI) or to prepare for the IB diploma (IBDP)*.
* ICE is a candidate as an IB world school (refer to the information in the ‘program’ section above)

And after the Baccalaureate Diploma

The school’s curriculum will, thanks to its bilingualism and the strong content taught, allow students to pursue university studies both in France and in English-speaking countries, as well as French-speaking countries.

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Kindergarten

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Elementary

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College

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