Mission: To develop bilingual, bi-literate learners through a French language-immersion curriculum meeting the highest educational standards of the United States and France and delivered in a highly diverse learning environment that promotes critical thinking, creativity and empathy.

Vision: To be a premier bilingual educational institution that prepares students for success in local and international high schools and universities; inspires them to pursue personal and professional opportunities around the world; and encourages them to be lifelong learners and community leaders who can connect with others in one of the world's most widely-spoken and influential languages.

What this means for your family: Your child will learn in French from day one (yes, even if you don't speak it), graduate truly bilingual, and meet rigorous academic standards from both U.S. and French systems. The diverse community—families from around the world alongside local Denver families—creates an environment where kids naturally develop global perspective and cultural empathy. The goal isn't just language skills; it's preparing kids who can think critically, connect across cultures, and pursue opportunities anywhere in the world.

What "French-American" actually means:

FASD uses a two-way immersion model where students learn entirely in French from kindergarten (90% French instruction), gradually incorporating more English as they progress. The curriculum meets both French Ministry of National Education standards AND Colorado/U.S. standards—not just translation, but true dual-track rigor.

For French instruction, students use authentic materials from France, including Calimots (the same phonics-based reading curriculum used in French elementary schools). About half the teachers are native French speakers, many visiting from France on J-1 teaching exchange visas, bringing authentic language and cultural perspectives into daily learning.

How it's different from DPS neighborhood schools:

Beyond the obvious language immersion, the French educational approach emphasizes different things: systematic phonics instruction from day one, emphasis on presentation and neat handwriting (including cursive from first grade), strong focus on world geography and history from multiple perspectives, and structured progression through defined learning cycles rather than purely grade-based standards.

How it's different from private language schools:

FASD is tuition-free and operates as a Denver Public Schools charter, making French immersion accessible to all families regardless of income. Private schools like International School of Denver layer language onto an IB framework with additional global programming, arts, and facilities—a different (and more expensive) value proposition. FASD focuses specifically on the French-American dual curriculum model with high academic standards, but within a public school structure.

Why families choose FASD:

Some come specifically for French language and culture—heritage speakers, Francophone families, or parents wanting their kids to be truly bilingual. Others come for the academic rigor and cognitive benefits of dual-language learning, regardless of French background. And some families choose FASD simply because it's an excellent elementary school option in their neighborhood. All three reasons are equally valid—the school serves a genuinely diverse community with different goals and backgrounds.

First, the reassuring news: You don't need to speak French. Seriously. The French teachers have actually told me it's probably better if you don't try speaking French at home—unless you're fluent, you risk introducing pronunciation habits they'll have to unlearn. Your job is to support learning in general, not to become your kid's French tutor.

Kids are shockingly good at this. One of the most impressive things you'll notice is how quickly they pick up authentic French pronunciation—even when their vocabulary is still limited. They might not know the word for "bicycle" yet, but when they do learn it, they'll say it with a native accent. That's the power of early immersion.

What the research shows:

• Bilingual students develop stronger problem-solving skills and mental flexibility

• Immersion students score higher on standardized tests in math, reading, and vocabulary

• There's sometimes an initial adjustment period, but bilingual students eventually surpass their English-only peers

• The cognitive benefits extend into adulthood, including economic advantages in an increasingly global workforce

The FASD website has extensive information on the benefits of immersion and links to research studies if you're interested in digging deeper into the science behind bilingual education.

What it actually feels like: Every kid's journey through immersion is different. Some jump in fearlessly from day one. Others take a few months to feel comfortable. Some go through a "silent period" where they understand more than they speak. Some mix languages at home while keeping them separate at school. All of these are completely normal developmental patterns.

Don't go it alone: One of the best things about FASDads is connecting with other dads who've been through (or are going through) the same experience. Some have older kids and can tell you what to expect. Some have kids in the same grade dealing with the same challenges. The perspective you'll get from other families is invaluable—and way more specific than generic research studies.

Bottom line: Trust the process. The school knows what they're doing with immersion education. Your kid's brain is wired for exactly this kind of learning at this age. And you'll be amazed at what they can do.

Understanding who does what at FASD is essential for knowing where to direct questions, concerns, or ideas. Here's how it fits together:

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Denver Public Schools (Authorizer)

↓

Board of Directors (Governance) ←→ School Advisory Committee (Advisory)

↓

Executive Director (Operations)

↓

Teachers/Staff (Instruction)

↓

Students/Families ←→ PTO (Support) + FASDads (Community)

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Board of Directors (Governance) The Board is responsible for governance - setting strategic direction, hiring/evaluating the Executive Director, financial oversight, facility planning, and ensuring the school meets its charter obligations to Denver Public Schools. The Board governs through the Executive Director, not around them. Board members are not involved in day-to-day operations or classroom decisions.

• Board member roster and meeting schedule

• Contact: Board@fasdenver.org

School Leadership (Operations) Kathy is the interim Executive Director responsible for operations - running the school day-to-day, managing staff, implementing curriculum, handling discipline, coordinating with DPS, and executing the strategic direction set by the Board. She works directly with teachers and families on operational matters.

Teachers (Instruction) FASD teachers are a mix of local French and English-speaking educators and visiting teachers from France participating in the Jules Verne program (J-1 teaching visas). French visiting teachers typically stay one to two years, so some turnover is built into the staffing model - this is normal and expected, not a red flag. It ensures authentic French language and cultural instruction while creating opportunities for professional exchange.

Board Committees The Board operates through several committees including Finance, Governance, Real Estate, and others. These are working groups of Board members (and sometimes advisors) that do deep-dive work on specific governance topics and make recommendations to the full Board.

School Accountability Committee (SAC) Colorado law (C.R.S. 22-11-401 and 22-11-402) requires every public school to have a SAC. FASD's SAC is currently being relaunched. The SAC's statutory responsibilities are to:

• Recommend school spending priorities to the principal and Board

• Advise on school performance and improvement plans

• Meet quarterly to discuss whether leadership, personnel, and infrastructure are advancing school goals

• Provide input to the District Accountability Committee on principal development and evaluation

• Increase parent engagement through recruiting diverse SAC members and supporting family-school connections

Important: The SAC is an advisory body, not an operational task force. SAC members don't "do" tasks for the school administration - they provide informed community input on performance, priorities, and planning.

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) The PTO has historically focused on fundraising and is currently relaunching with better-defined bylaws and governance structure. The PTO supports the school through events, fundraising, and volunteer coordination.

FASDads FASDads is an independent group of fathers and father figures - we're not officially affiliated with the school. We exist to build community among dads and provide a space for shared experiences, mutual support, and informal advocacy for what's best for our kids and the school.

The Vision (Fall 2018) In the fall of 2018, a group of motivated parents came together with a bold idea: create Denver's first public French immersion school. At the time, French immersion education in Denver was only available through expensive private schools like the International School of Denver. These founding families believed that world-class bilingual education shouldn't be limited to families who could afford private school tuition.

The Journey to Opening (2018-2021) For three years, this group of committed families worked to secure charter approval from Denver Public Schools. The process involved developing curriculum plans, assembling a founding board, establishing governance structures, securing initial funding, and navigating all the regulatory requirements for launching a charter school.

Opening Day (August 2021) FASD opened its doors in August 2021 at 2280 E 16th Ave (now home to Inner-City School), launching as a K-3 school with Suzanne Acheson as the founding Executive Director. The school's mission was clear: deliver bilingual education meeting the highest standards of both the United States and France, accessible to all Denver families regardless of income.

Growth and Evolution The school has grown steadily by adding one grade level each year. As enrollment increased, FASD moved to its current location at 2350 N Gaylord St in the City Park neighborhood—walking distance from the Denver Zoo and Museum of Nature & Science. The school now serves grades K-5 with approximately 190 students.

Recognition and Milestones FASD has earned commendation from DPS for superior academic results, with CMAS scores among the highest of all DPS K-5 schools. The school was awarded the LabelFranc, a seal of excellence from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognizing exceptional quality in French bilingual education. In 2025, FASD established a strategic partnership with Denver Language School to offer French immersion continuation for grades 6-8.

Looking Ahead As interest and enrollment continue to grow, FASD is actively seeking a larger permanent facility to accommodate the school's expansion. The school has submitted an application for a nearby DPS building. The founding vision remains the same: building toward a world-class French-American education accessible to every Denver family.

Day-to-Day School Operations

• FASD Website - School calendar, enrollment info, staff directory, policies, and announcements

• Students + Family page - Essential forms, grade-specific information, and quick links to school resources

• Student + Family Handbook - Comprehensive guide covering dress code, attendance, drop-off/pick-up, and all school procedures

• Back to School page - School supplies, check-in day info, and getting started

• ClassDojo - Daily updates, teacher communication, and school announcements (you'll receive login info from your child's teacher)

Understanding Charter School Governance and School Performance

• Colorado League of Charter Schools - How charter schools work, parent rights, and accountability standards. The League advocates for charter schools statewide and offers resources on what makes charters different from traditional public schools

• Colorado Department of Education - Charter Schools - State requirements, oversight, and FAQs about charter schools

• FASD Performance Framework (Colorado SchoolView) - Official state academic performance data, CMAS scores, and annual ratings

• FASD Financial Transparency (Colorado SchoolView) - School budget, revenues, expenditures, and financial reporting

Getting Involved

• School Accountability Committee (SAC) - Currently relaunching. Watch for updates on the FASD website about how to participate in this important advisory body

• Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) - Volunteer opportunities, fundraising, and community events. Contact: pto@fasdenver.org

• FASDads - Independent community of fathers and father figures focused on building camaraderie and supporting our kids' education. Consider joining our email list to stay up-to-date on happenings, or send us an email directly at info@fasdads.org

Have Questions?

• Operational questions (attendance, uniforms, lunch, scheduling) → Contact the school: info@fasdenver.org or (720) 966-1380

• Governance questions (board decisions, strategic direction, policy) → Board@fasdenver.org

• Connect with other dads → Join FASDads or email info@fasdads.org