An Independent PK-8 Bilingual School in Princeton, NJ
In a precautionary response to COVID-19 & following New Jersey state regulations, please be advised that FASP is closed as of 3/23/20 until further notice. For admissions inquiries & questions, please email admissions@ecoleprinceton.org

Author Profile

Tori Kramer

A Word From Our HOS: COVID-19 Update

Dear Families,

We must do everything we can help slow the spread of COVID-19 to protect our students, faculty and staff. As Head of School, I will always err to the side of caution to protect all of our families.

As of today, March 16th, we do not have any cases of this virus reported within our community.

However, after much thought, consideration and discussion with several team members, we have decided to close the school from Monday, March 23rd until at least Friday, March 27th.

While the school is closed, please be assured that students will still be given the opportunity to continue learning remotely starting on Tuesday, March 24th. Monday, March 23rd is reserved for a virtual faculty in-service day. Also during this time, the administrative team will be working remotely to maintain the operations of the school. 

Additionally, this closure extends to all morning and after care activities, school events and meetings. Out of an abundance of caution, all field trips and events are likely to be cancelled throughout April until further notice. A separate email will be sent to all families regarding cancellation notices.

I understand that the current state of affairs around the world seems surreal, and that the school closing may seem frightening. Please know that we are doing this out of an abundance of caution to protect our community. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all try to navigate this difficult situation together.

Corinne Güngör
Head of School

FASP Winter Forums

Forums are back in full swing at FASP! Students took the stage to display what they’ve learned to their families. Take a look at what the students presented so far:

Grade 3: Recycling

Grade 5A: Compound Words

Consul General of France in New York Visits FASP

On February 11th, the Consul General of France in New York visited the French American School of Princeton (FASP) to meet with fourth through eighth grade students for a conversation on diplomacy.

During the forum-style conversation, students had the opportunity to ask questions directed to Ms. Anne-Claire Legendre, who has served as the Consul General since 2016.

Questions that students asked included, “How often do you meet presidents?” and “How many people work at the Consulate?“

In addition to meeting with students, Consul General Legendre also received a tour led by FASP Head of School, Corinne Güngör. During the tour, Legendre and Güngör spoke about FASP’s dual language program offered to students at the school.

To learn more about the Consulate General of France in New York, please click here:

Consulate General Information

Former United Nations Worker Visits French American School of Princeton for Presentation

Former United Nations worker speaks to FASP students in the cafeteria.

On January 31st, former United Nations worker Suzanne Mandong visited the French American School of Princeton (FASP) for a presentation to students in grades five through eight. During the presentation, Mandong spoke to students about the landlocked West-African country, Burkina Faso.

In 1992, Mandong moved to New York City and worked for the the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). During her career, she had the distinct privilege of working with people throughout the world, making her multilingual in English, French, Russian and Bassa. Now retired, Mandong feels it is important to continue helping those who are in need, while encouraging younger generations to follow in her footsteps.

A woman helping people in need.

“We must engage our youth, and teach them the importance of serving and giving,” said Mandong. Our future relies on young people.”

During her frequent visits to Africa, Mandong provides common personal care items to the citizens of Burkina Faso. To involve the FASP community, Mandong showed a collection of images that displayed the conditions of Burkina Faso. Then, she gave examples on how students can help, even without visiting the country.

“We cannot do everything, but we can do something,” said Mandong. “We can fundraise and collect basic items including shoes, food, school supplies, hygiene products and so much more.”

To donate to Burkina Faso, please consider donating the following: (Closed as of 2-21-2020)

Students in preschool, pre-k and kindergarten classes can provide hygiene products including soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste or mouthwash. 

Students in elementary classes can provide sheets, blankets and towels, as well as school supplies such as pens, pencils, markers or crayons. 

Students in middle school classes can provide summer clothes, such as t-shirts and shorts (all sizes). 

About Burkina Faso

Parents’ Association Winter General Meeting

On January 24th, the FASP Parents’ Association hosted their second coffee break and general meeting of the academic year. The morning meeting started with traditional almond galette and coffee, followed by an open discussion on upcoming events and initiatives set for the remainder of the academic year.

Winter Lunch by Parents

Earlier this week, parents of eighth graders hosted “Lunch by Parents” to help fund their students’ end of the year trip. Parents prepared a meal consisting of Zucchini Velouté, lasagna and a dessert. Take a look at the tasty afternoon below!

Winter Reading Rally

After the winter break, elementary students annually participate in their Rally Lecture. During the rally, students decide if they will read 10, 20 or 30 small books throughout the month, in hopes of coming in first place within their grade level. 

Reading Rally Awards

Students Host “Galette Des Rois” in Cafeteria

During the week of January 13th, students at FASP celebrated the traditional “Galette Des Rois” celebration in the cafeteria. FASP’s kings and queens enjoyed a delicious cake during the celebration.

For elementary and middle school students, the cake was graciously paid for by the FASP Parents’ Association, who purchased them from local caterer “Cuisine, by Anne-Renee.” In maternelle, students prepared the cakes in class during a baking activity.

FASP Alumni Spotlight: Zahra Lohoué

An in-depth interview with alumni as they reflect on their time at the French American School of Princeton.

2019 alumni Zahra Lohoué sits in a library while she visits FASP to share her experiences.
Zahra Lohoué, a 2019 graduate at FASP, sits and shares her experiences at the school.

Meet Zahra Lohoué, a 2019 eighth-grade graduate of FASP. Zahra sat with FASP for an in-depth interview to share her experiences during her time at the school. As a current high school student, Zahra speaks about how her experiences at FASP has prepared her for her current school and beyond.

Watch Zahra’s full interview below, or visit FASP’s YouTube channel:

Interested in seeing FASP for yourself? Sign up to attend one of our open houses or schedule a personal visit.

Visit FASP

Maternelle Students Host Winter Circus

Maternelle students transformed into clowns, dancers and gymnasts to put on a show of circus acts before a lively audience of parents, grandparents, siblings, faculty and staff on December 18th.

A Wonderful Winter Festival: Grades 1 – 8

On December 11th, elementary and middle school students hosted their Winter Festival in the school gym. Students proudly performed holiday tunes including “My Favorite Things” and “Jingle Bell Rock.”

Students in grades 1 – 8 wishes the FASP community a happy holiday season!

French American School of Princeton Hosts Annual Book Fair at Local Bookstore

On December 7th, the French American School of Princeton (FASP) Parents’ Association hosted its annual book fair at the Barnes and Noble located in Princeton’s MarketFair Mall.

The book fair brought together the FASP community made up of students, parents and faculty. The day-long event offered a selection of children’s literature, crafts and two special story times read to students. In addition to literature and crafts, the book fair welcomed children’s book illustrators Risa Horiuchi and Mike Moran, as well as author Kelsey Kloss, who specializes in children’s literature.

During the event, Moran led a drawing workshop, which engaged middle-school aged students. Earlier in the day, a special story time gathered the attention of the younger students.

Kloss, author of the book Malty the Blue Tiger, feels honored to have read to the bilingual students of the school.

“We had so much fun reading and signing Malty the Blue Tiger in Princeton,” said Kloss. “It was wonderful to meet all of the fantastic readers and families who joined us!”

Horiuchi, who illustrated Kloss’ book and a number of other children’s books, also read during the story time.

“It was great to see the children’s reactions to Malty the Blue Tiger,” said Horiuchi. “Their reactions really brought the illustrations to life.”

The event, coordinated by the FASP Parents’ Association, is an annual book fair designed to help grow the school’s library through both donated and purchased books.

“All funds raised during the event go toward purchasing additional books for the school library,” said Prisca Tsai, President of the FASP Parents’ Association. “The book fair is one of the biggest events that the association coordinates for the school.”

FASP Alumni Spotlight: Alexandre Cartier

An in-depth interview with alumni as they reflect on their time at the French American School of Princeton

Even after a student graduates from the French American School of Princeton (FASP), alumni are often eager to visit their former teachers and current students who attend the school.

Truth be told, some of our alumni have the best stories to tell!

We are pleased to announce FASP’s Alumni Spotlight Series! The series will include a combination of in-depth interviews, videos and photos as former students share their bilingual-centered learning experience at FASP, and how it has shaped them into prepared, well-equipped students today.

This month, FASP introduces Alexandre Cartier, who graduated from the eighth grade at FASP in 2014. After he relocated with his parents to the United States at the age of 12, Alexandre knew only French and quickly adapted to life in a new country, and more specifically, becoming a part of a close-knit bilingual school community.

“My experience at FASP was different than most students,” said the now college-aged student. “My first year at the school exposed me to new points of view, both academically and socially. Being in a school with multiple cultures is an amazing aspect that you will benefit from.”

Aside from being exposed to various groups of multi-cultural students, Alexandre explained how bilingual learning helped shape his mind, while preparing him for both high school and college, as he currently attends Engineering School in his native country of France

“Looking back at what I learned at FASP, it taught me about having conversations with people of different cultures and viewpoints. Ironically, it has taught me to learn other languages even faster.”

Academically, students at FASP are exposed to an array of subjects including math, science, music and art. For Alexandre, one particular subject piqued his interest.

“The sciences were very interesting,” he said. “Completing the lab projects were challenging yet rewarding. Being in a bilingual English and French school made me feel as if I had one foot back at home in France, and another in my new home in the United States.”