Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Admissions Extra curricular activities Academics

How much does it cost to send my child to your school?

For the school year 2009-2010, tuition is $8,560 for PS & MS (Pre-K) and $9,590 for GS through CM (Kindergarten through 5th Grade).


When does registration start?

Anytime.


At what age can I apply for my child?

Children qualify for the pre-school if they turn three years old by December 31 of the year enrolled for PS, four by December 31 for MS and five by December 31 for kindergarten. An individual observation is administered for class placement.


What if we don't speak French?

Over fifty percent of our families speak no French. There are infrastructures and resources available at the school to support the educational success of children whose families are non-French speakers.


What if we speak a third language at home?

Children whose families speak a third language at home tend to thrive in our bilingual program. This is assuming the child has mastered one dominant language prior to enrollment and identifies each language according to his/her environment.


What extra-curricular activities are available??

Extra-curricular activities are available throughout the school year (e.g. dance, music, gymnastics, ballet, acting). Fees for these activities are paid directly to the after-school teacher. Please click to the After School Activities page for a current schedule.


What languages do children learn in your school?

All instructions are given in French, English and Spanish.


What is the homework policy?

Homework begins in first grade (Cours PrĂ©paratoire).  Teachers for each class discuss daily the amount of homework that is to be assigned for each student, in order to optimize the benefits of home study. 


Do the children have the opportunity to write creatively?

Creative writing is continually fostered and encouraged. The frequency depends on the age of the child.


How much outside reading is required? How are the books chosen?

Students are consistently encouraged to read on their own from first through fifth grade. The choice of books is monitored by the teachers. These books are usually classics chosen to complement the core literature being taught at each level. A variety of book reports/projects are assigned to these books throughout the school year. Finally, students are required on a weekly basis to choose books from our trilingual library and keep their reading log updated.


How does the English program accommodate non-native speakers of English?

Students are placed in an ESL program in which the main goal is to develop communication, grammar, reading and writing skills. The curriculum is designed to enable the student to be mainstreamed into the regular English program by the following year.


Is my child reading and testing on the same level with his/her counterpart in
the American system??

Student skills are evaluated regularly by English teachers who have been trained in the American system. The success rate of graduates is comparable to that of students from American schools.


If my child transfers to an American school after attending the Austin International School, will he/she be behind, ahead or on target?

During the first six years at AIS, students tend to score as well as or better than their peers at American schools, therefore they should be ahead or on target.


Do you have a summer program?

Yes, we do. The six-week summer program starts after the end of school in mid-June and ends the last week of July. Children who are not enrolled at The Austin International School during the regular school year are welcome to attend. The summer program is offered in both French and Spanish languages.




Austin International School 12001 Oak Knoll Drive, Austin, TX 78759 Phone. 512.331.7806 Fax. 512.219.5201
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