The International School of Denver is proud to announce that our French Program Accreditation has been officially renewed — an affirmation of the exceptional teaching, rigorous standards, and deep cultural immersion that have defined our school since 1977.

A Legacy Rooted in Denver's French Community

Our story began in 1977, when we opened our doors as a French school. Over nearly five decades, we've grown into the Rocky Mountain region's most established international school, expanding to include Spanish and Chinese programs while keeping French as a foundational pillar of our identity.

Today, we remain one of approximately 50 schools in North America and 600+ schools worldwide accredited directly by the French Ministry of National Education, ensuring our students learn under the same standards upheld in France and French-speaking countries around the world. Instruction is delivered by highly qualified French-speaking faculty, whose expertise and cultural fluency enrich every classroom.

Accreditation That Reflects Excellence

The renewal reaffirms our place within the global network of French schools abroad, including our close relationship with AEFE (L'Agence pour l'Enseignement Français à l'Étranger) and our partnership with the MLF (Mission Laïque Française), an almost 125-year-old organization that works closely with the French Ministry of Education. These partnerships connect ISDenver to more than 600 accredited schools across 137 countries, providing:

• Access to innovative pedagogical resources
• Professional development for faculty
• Financial assistance for qualifying French families
• Regular, comprehensive inspections — conducted every five years by French educational authorities to maintain academic standards
• Oversight from French educational leaders, inspectors, and cultural attachés

We are also proud members of AFSA (Association of French Schools of North America), which promotes collaboration, professional development, and educational technology sharing among French–North American bilingual schools, and serves as a liaison with AEFE and French diplomatic and cultural representatives.

This achievement reflects the dedication and expertise of our French faculty and academic leaders, whose ongoing work ensures that our program continues to meet the rigorous expectations of the French Ministry of National Education while supporting ISDenver's bilingual and international mission.

A Program That Brings French Learning to Life

Our French Program is more than language instruction — it's a fully immersive, culturally rich experience. Students engage with visiting dignitaries, Francophone guest speakers, and global projects connecting them to peers around the world. Signature experiences like our two-week 5th Grade France trip offer unparalleled cultural immersion, while initiatives such as participation in the Ministère de la Culture's Dis-moi 10 mots — where our Upper Primary students received prestigious recognition — showcase bilingual mastery and real-world communication skills.

Looking Ahead

As we approach our 50th anniversary, this renewal is a reminder of who we are and a reason to keep moving forward with purpose. We're honored to continue serving Denver's French community and to uphold the highest standards of French education for decades to come.

Pour notre programme français, l'homologation représente bien plus qu'un simple label. Elle témoigne de la qualité et de la rigueur de notre enseignement, ainsi que de notre collaboration de longue date et de nos liens étroits avec le système éducatif français depuis 1990. Elle reflète également notre engagement à adapter le curriculum français au contexte international et bilingue d'ISDenver.

À bien des égards, l'homologation représente cinq valeurs essentielles : reconnaissance, rigueur, continuité, partenariat et amélioration continue. Elle constitue un élément important de ce qui fait d'ISDenver une véritable école internationale. 

For our French Program, accreditation represents much more than a label. It is a testament to the quality and rigor of our teaching, as well as to our long-standing collaboration and strong ties with the French education system since 1990. It also reflects our commitment to adapting the French curriculum to ISDenver's international and bilingual context.

In many ways, accreditation represents five essential values: recognition, rigor, continuity, partnership, and continuous improvement. It is an important part of what makes ISDenver a truly international school.

- Christele Turner, ECE Assistant Director and Director of French Program and Accreditation