COVID-19 Response

The Hybrid Model

Bilingual Learning in the Age of COVID-19
For Fall 2020, the Lycée opens in a hybrid model, blending in-person learning and online learning, with an option for families to choose a fully online program, if needed. The Lycée made an overnight transition in March 2020 to a fully online bilingual learning for students at all grade levels. Building on this experience, the Lycée's 2020-21 academic plan is designed so that our students continue to learn, whether in school or online.

  • A strong, rigorous core:  The Lycée has translated its bilingual program, built from a core of the French curriculum and integrating aspects of an American independent school curriculum, into a rigorous, engaging online and in-person learning experience for students.

  • Technology infrastructure: The school is leveraging the know-how of its dedicated digital learning team and its five-year investment in technology infrastructure to develop programs that are stimulating, challenging and portable for each student. 

  • Great teachers: Online Lycée taps the flexibility, ingenuity and considerable digital learning experience of our entire teaching team, whose teaching is transforming in exciting ways in this age of online learning to keep students motivated and engaged.

  • Partnership with families: Lycée parents benefit from regular contact with their children's teachers, special programs, ongoing feedback sessions and frequent surveys to better understand their needs and concerns.
  • Smooth Transition to Online Lycée: The Lycée stays with students wherever they are. Students who cannot attend school in person have a choice to take classes fully online. Should the school be required to close, our program has been created to allow for easy transition to Online Lycée, our fully online program.

Click here to review the Lycée's complete plan for fall 2020, as submitted to the New York State Department of Education on August 21, 2020.
    • ESTEY Evelyne portrait

Evelyne Estey, Head of School

With student health, safety and well-being at its center, The Lycée team has created a student-centered hybrid plan that holds steadfast to our mission of providing a bilingual French-American education of the highest standard to each and every student.
The Lycée Hybrid Model is guided by three principles:

Physical Health and Safety
The Lycée has followed the guidelines of New York State and the Centers for Disease control in all planning. A panel of experts in medicine and public health have provided essential guidance as our health and safety plan was created.

All students, faculty and staff wear face masks on site when with others, follow strict physical distancing measures, and must wash or sanitize hands frequently. Significant infrastructure enhancements have been implemented, including upgrades to our cooling system to provide for circulation of outside air into the building, advanced filtration units in each classroom, the addition of touchless fixtures, hand sanitizer units, and health and safety, and building ciruclation signage throughout the building. The Lycée has rigorous protocols for the cleaning and disinfection of all spaces between use. 

Pedagogy, and Social and Emotional Development
We believe that, whenever possible, in-person time with teachers each week is essential to support student learning and thriving. The balance of in-person learning and online learning, in both live and pre-recorded sessions, is based on the level of autonomy and development of students at each grade level. 

Emotional Health and Safety
Student well-being, joy and care are central to the Lycée's mission and will remain a guiding focus for the entire Lycée team. The Lycée's Specialized Support Team, including the school's psychologist and middle school counselor, along with our teachers and advisors, will be working in lockstep to support students, and parents, throughout the school year. 

Lycée Secondary parent, speaking of Online Lycée

The work of teachers, advisors, and the entire Lycée team in challenging conditions is admirable and a tribute to their extraordinary creativity...It has also injected a breath of positive energy so necessary for our children.

Lycée Français de New York: Amendments to Reopening Plan (April 2021)

Lycée Français de New York: Full Reopening Plan 2020-21

Lycée Français de New York: Summary Reopening Plan 2020-21

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