ABOUT US

Our Campuses

 
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
SEATTLE - CAPITOL HILL PRESCHOOL CAMPUS

Our Seattle - Capitol Hill Preschool campus is thriving! With so many wonderful new students, our community is more vibrant than ever—and we’re still growing!

At FASPS, we believe that the best time to start learning a second language is as early as possible. That’s why our immersive French preschool welcomes children as young as 18 months, surrounding them with language naturally through play, stories, music, and hands-on activities. Research shows that bilingualism boosts brain development, enhances problem-solving skills, and strengthens memory and focus. Children who grow up learning two languages gain confidence, adaptability, and a global perspective—setting them up for lifelong success.

More than just a preschool, FASPS provides a warm and nurturing environment where curiosity thrives, friendships grow, and children build a strong foundation for the future. Our Capitol Hill campus features small class sizes, highly skilled teachers, and a curriculum designed to foster creativity, independence, and a love of learning.

Our new Seattle campus includes two classes—a TYPK and a combined YPK/PK—and we’d love to show you what makes FASPS so special.

Our new Seattle preschool campus on Capitol Hill is located in the same facility as the Hearing Speech and Deaf Center at: 1823 East Madison - Suite 1604, Seattle, WA 98122..

If you are interested in taking a tour of our Capitol Hill Preschool Campus, please get in touch with our Admissions office at Admissions@fasps.org as soon as possible or click here to sign up for a tour.
 
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 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 2024, FASPS committed to the construction 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 the vibrant Capitol Hill area Seattle in the Fall of 2024.

FASPS

With two campuses, our main campus on Mercer Island and our new preschool campus in the vibrant Capitol Hill area of Seattle, the French American School of Puget Sound (FASPS) is a private, bilingual school for children age 18 months (tiny young pre-kindergarten) through grade 8. Students benefit from a rigorous academic program, arts and technology curriculum, social and emotional learning, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
Non-Discrimination Policy

The French American School of Puget Sound does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, financial aid programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs. This policy applies to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities, including applications and admissions, generally accorded or made available to students at the school.