From age 2 through Kindergarten, French beginners are fully immersed into their grade level class and can receive additional support of a French as a Second Language (FLSCO) teacher who will help them build the vocabulary they need to follow along with the rest of the class. From 1st to 3rd grade, students enroll into a dedicated class with a specially adapted French Immersion program. For entry into 4th grade and up, appropriate grade level French is required to enroll.

Rochambeau offers a unique approach to bilingual and bicultural education starting in Preschool.

Rochambeau is a French curriculum school with an American International section (SIA). Students study in French with teachers accredited by the French curriculum, and English is taught by native English-speaking faculty.  Rochambeau offers linguistic support in both French and English allowing students who attend the school to attain fluency in French and English. Students who complete their studies at Rochambeau are accepted in the finest universities worldwide.

Rochambeau currently has students representing more than 80 different countries around the world, including China, Lebanon, Columbia, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Madagascar, Denmark and Argentina among others. In a typical school year Rochambeau has about 40% of its students coming from the expatriate community.

Rochambeau students and families come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Approximately one-third of students are French nationals, another 21% are French/American dual citizens, 51% hold U.S. citizenship, and 23% are citizens of countries other than the U.S.A. or France. In a typical school year, approximately 27% of our students are from Francophone households (both parents speak French); 25% are from non-French speaking households and 48% are from partially French-speaking households (at least one parent speaking French).

If your child is not currently enrolled in a daycare or preschool, or is attending a school that is not accredited by the French Ministry of Education, an in person or virtual assessment will be given in French, English and Math to assess your child’s academic level.  These are not standardized, multiple choice tests, but based on the competencies required by the French curriculum. See more details on the requirements per level.

All Rochambeau families are eligible for Financial Aid. The School's Financial Aid is allocated based on the family's financial needs and can cover part of tuition, registration fees and transportation fees.

In addition, French citizen students who are accepted at Rochambeau are eligible for a French Government bourse. French nationals must first request for French Government financial aid through the French Consulate and submit all necessary paperwork.

All students applying for Financial Aid must submit an application for admissions

In a typical school year Rochambeau welcomes on average 250 new students coming from all over the world.  The new students joining Rochambeau represent 40 different nationalities and speak over 27 different languages.

The wait pool is reserved for applicants who we feel would be a good match for Rochambeau.  Its size changes over time, especially due to the international population at our school. Each year, we are able to offer a significant number of spaces to applicants from our wait pool. It is active until the start of the school year, and we will contact you if a space becomes available. 

In-person and virtual tours are available throughout the school year. New student orientation events are organized at the start of the school year so new students and parents have a chance to visit the campus. Submit an inquiry to visit one of our 2 campuses.

The French Baccalauréat is the standard diploma for students who complete the French curriculum. The diploma follows the curriculum guidelines established by the French Ministry of Education, completed by a two-year exam cycle in 1ere and Terminale. Students can also choose the International French Bac, bilingual (English/French) or trilingual (English/French/other language).

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is ideal for students who would like to pursue an international track of classes. We offer the full diploma to all IB students with the choice of sitting for the French-English Advanced Bilingual Diploma examination.

Both diplomas are considered among some of the most prestigious programs in the world, and are widely accepted throughout world colleges so, whether Rochambeau students opt to follow the French Bac or the IB track, they will be well prepared for higher education.

Rochambeau students can receive the Maryland High School diploma at the end of 1ere|11th grade as long as they complete the required credits, particularly for US History and Government (CIVAM) offered at Rochambeau in 4e|8th and 3e|9th (or independently outside of school for students arriving after 3e/9th grade). 

The High School Diploma signifies the completion of secondary studies, and students can opt to enter university after 1ere|11th grade, but the majority continue to receive the French Bac or IB diploma at the end of the two year exam cycle. Students are eligible for admissions to university with either the French Bac or IB diploma; the US High school diploma is not required. 

The English program starts in Preschool, students receive 50 minutes of English per day. The English program curriculum is based on the core curriculum and includes American cultural elements as well as history and geography topics.

Starting in 6th grade Rochambeau students can choose the American International Section (SIA) option and take additional English Language-Literature and History-Geography courses taught from an American perspective by native English-speaking teachers. International section students have 6 hours of English plus 2 hours of History-Geography taught in English by an English-speaking teacher. In addition, Middle school students have the option to take a US Math preparation course offered at Rochambeau as an elective outside of regular school hours.

We provide both before and aftercare for all grades on the Maplewood campus. See information here. 

The Rochambeau after school clubs include artistic, social and athletic activities and are available to students after their regular school hours. Certain clubs such as soccer and judo are clubs that run yearly - one registration per year at the beginning of the year.  Other clubs run on a semester basis - 2 registrations per year. 

The school offers students the opportunity to create and manage their own associations, with the support of a staff-member. Our students are involved in Rochambeau Radio, Homescape club, R.E.S.O. (Rochambeau Environmental Student Organization), and more...

Our Secondary students can choose to join one of our competitive sports teams. Rochambeau has a Varsity Girls and Boys teams in Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, and Track and Field.

Other non competitive athletic activities are through the "Clubs Rochambeau"

Rochambeau provides transportation and bus services to its students living in Maryland, DC and Virginia. Pick-up and drop off points are determined in July for the following school year based on bus registrations.

The Maplewood campus is under a special exception with a transportation management plan.

Parents with students under the age of 5 can drive into the Maplewood campus at any time.

Students age 5 and over must come and leave school using school transportation, or foot or bike. Parents of these student can access the campus for school meetings or delayed arrivals for medical or other reasons. 

It is recommended to contact the transportation department to ensure that we provide service to your area.

Rochambeau offers an outside catering service from 1st grade onwards. Otherwise, students must bring a lunch box. Please respect the nut-free school policy.