La Petite Ecole's History

La Petite École New York started its journey in September 2010 on the Upper West Side, guided by a mission to teach children French through the arts. The school quickly grew, opening a second location in Tribeca in 2012 and a third in Greenwich Village in 2017. This expansion reflected a deep commitment to nurturing creativity, culture, and education.

A multicultural staff, representing the diversity of the community, is at the heart of La Petite École. Each team member shares a passion for francophone culture and instills this appreciation in every child. One of the hallmarks of the school is its emphasis on art de la table and art de vivre, teaching children the importance of manners and the joy of sharing meals with friends in a thoughtful and meaningful way.

Since 2012, a French speech therapist has been an integral part of the team, working closely with families and educators. This collaboration allows the school to gain a deeper understanding of each child's linguistic environment, enabling families to design the most effective and personalized strategies for fostering their child's motivation to learn French. This thoughtful approach ensures that every student feels supported and encouraged in their language-learning journey.

La Petite École welcomes an artist-in-residence annually, fostering collaboration and inspiration. Among its most distinguished collaborations is the one with Hervé Tullet, which resulted in the stunning PS84 mural, completed in 2018, and the co-writing of the Ideal Exhibition curriculum in 2024. The school’s artistic pursuits have also led to the creation of two children’s music albums, co-written by talented composers Joséphine Ancelle and Rémy de Laroque, with a third eagerly anticipated.

The school serves children aged one to ten with a variety of programs, including La Ronde (formerly "Mommy and Me" classes), 2 y.o. & preschool, summer camps, and afterschool sessions in partnership with EFNY. Through a unique blend of language immersion and artistic exploration, La Petite École continues to offer young New Yorkers a rich cultural education and a warm, creative community.