MERCER ISLAND CAMPUS
Our main campus is on Mercer Island, just off of I-90 on East Mercer Way, next to the Stroum Jewish Community Center. Grades range from preschool to Grade 8. Our Mercer Island campus is located at: 3795 East Mercer Way, Mercer Island, 98040
Our main campus is on Mercer Island, just off of I-90 on East Mercer Way, next to the Stroum Jewish Community Center. Grades range from preschool to Grade 8. Our Mercer Island campus is located at: 3795 East Mercer Way, Mercer Island, 98040
SEATTLE - CAPITOL HILL PRESCHOOL CAMPUS
(COMING THIS FALL)
Our new Seattle preschool campus on Capitol Hill is located in the same facility as the Hearing Speech and Deaf Center right off East Madison Street. Our Seattle/Capitol Hill Preschool campus is located at: 1823 East Madison - Suite 1604, Seattle, WA 98122.
Our new Seattle campus will include two classes—a TYPK and a combined YPK/PK. If you are interested in taking a tour of our Capitol Hill Preschool Campus, please get in touch with our Enrollment Management office at Enrollment@fasps.org as soon as possible or click here to sign up for a tour.
(COMING THIS FALL)
Our new Seattle preschool campus on Capitol Hill is located in the same facility as the Hearing Speech and Deaf Center right off East Madison Street. Our Seattle/Capitol Hill Preschool campus is located at: 1823 East Madison - Suite 1604, Seattle, WA 98122.
We will be sharing our new campus space with the Hearing, Speech, and Deaf Center (HSDC) and the Rosen Family Preschool, which serve students who are deaf and hard of hearing, as well as those from families committed to using American Sign Language (ASL) at home. This presents a unique opportunity for FASPS to collaborate with another bilingual school in the same space, promoting a deeper understanding of diversity and inclusivity among our students. We are excited about the enriching interactions and cultural exchange this will bring, providing our students with a dynamic and inclusive learning environment to develop empathy, communication skills, and a broader perspective on the world.
Our new Seattle campus will include two classes—a TYPK and a combined YPK/PK. If you are interested in taking a tour of our Capitol Hill Preschool Campus, please get in touch with our Enrollment Management office at Enrollment@fasps.org as soon as possible or click here to sign up for a tour.
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A class photo from the early years of FASPS. -
Playing outside in front of the old portables, which served as a home for FASPS from 1999 to 2004. -
The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the opening of the new building in 2004. -
The new FASPS building, which opened in 2004. -
The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the opening of the second story in 2008. -
Patricia Blaise-Caves and Véronique Dussud cutting the cake at the kick-off celebration for the 20th anniversary of FASPS.
OUR HISTORY
In the fall of 1995, the French American School of Puget Sound (FASPS) opened its doors with two teachers and 13 students in the basement of a church in Newcastle (just east of Mercer Island). One year later, with already more than double the number of students, FASPS moved to another church property in Newport Hills. However, with continuous growth over the next several years, cofounders Patricia Blaise-Caves and Véronique Dussud knew a larger space would be necessary soon.
In the fall of 1995, the French American School of Puget Sound (FASPS) opened its doors with two teachers and 13 students in the basement of a church in Newcastle (just east of Mercer Island). One year later, with already more than double the number of students, FASPS moved to another church property in Newport Hills. However, with continuous growth over the next several years, cofounders Patricia Blaise-Caves and Véronique Dussud knew a larger space would be necessary soon.
In 1999, 146 students moved to Mercer Island, taking over the old fire station in its current location just north of the Stroum Jewish Community Center (SJCC). Also that year, Véronique Dussud departed FASPS to start the French Immersion School of Washington (FISW), and Christine Knorr became the Head of School for two years after Barbie Chaumont, who held the interim role in the summer. After conducting an international search in 2000–2001, Yves Rivaud then took the helm in 2001 for two years.
Once student enrollment surpassed 200, FASPS administrators and the Board of Trustees knew they had to think bigger. To lead this new and ambitious expansion phase in the school’s history, FASPS brought in experienced Head of School Andrée McGiffin. Under her leadership, FASPS quickly and successfully conducted a capital campaign in 2003 towards the design and construction of a one-story building, completed in September 2004.
In 2008, with a doubling in size and after a second capital campaign, FASPS added a second floor to the current structure. The different sections of the upper floor were constructed offsite and then lifted by crane onto the first floor during the summer months of 2008. With close to 300 students, the second floor allowed for additional classrooms and the launching of the much anticipated Middle School program with its first grade 6 class.
In 2011, one year after the new Head of School, Eric Thuau, began his tenure, the dream of having a middle school was fully realized with the first graduating class. Fourteen students moved on to public and private schools in and around the Seattle and Eastside area.
Today, FASPS has established itself as the leader in harmonized bilingual education in the Pacific Northwest and continues to grow and expand its presence in the Seattle area. Its over 450 students hail from over 60 different countries around the world.
In January 2023, FASPS added a second preschool campus in the Factoria area of Bellevue. In 2024, FASPS broke ground on what will be its permanent home in the North Beacon Hill area of Seattle. Phase One of the project is set to open in the Fall of 2026 and serve students from Grades 4 through 8. FASPS opened its second preschool campus in Seattle in the Fall of 2024.
FASPS
MERCER ISLAND (Main Campus)
3795 East Mercer Way
Mercer Island, WA 98040
3795 East Mercer Way
Mercer Island, WA 98040
info@fasps.org
SEATTLE-CAPITOL HILL (Preschool Campus)
(opening Fall 2024)
1823 East Madison Street
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 644-8348
info@fasps.org
SEATTLE-CAPITOL HILL (Preschool Campus)
(opening Fall 2024)
1823 East Madison Street
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 644-8348
info@fasps.org
