Academics
Preschool – La Maternelle
Welcome to Preschool
The principal aim of each preschool grade at the Lycée International de Houston is to guide children in becoming independent, confident learners and to help them acquire knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in elementary school.
Children are placed in a group according to their age and skills. Since preschool is a child’s first experience in education, children benefit from a program where all fundamentals are introduced gradually. The low ratio of teachers to students allows for small group learning and individual instruction, meeting the needs of each student.
The length of the preschool program is designed to serve the needs of the following age groups:
- 18-month-old (le Creche),
- two-year-old (Toute Petite Section – TPS or PK2),
- three-year-old (Petite Section – PK3), and
- four-year-old (Moyenne Section – MS or PK4).
To further enrich our student’s learning and prepare them for our globalizing world, we do all this in a French immersion environment. Young children don’t “learn” a language by being taught language lessons. They acquire language by being surrounded by it. In the process, they also absorb the culture that is the foundation of the language.
Preschool classes encourage the development of all children by responding to their individual needs. Our preschool allows children to explore, discover create and imagine. All preschool classes are taught by fully-trained teachers with early childhood specialization.
La Crèche – 18-month-old
Welcome to the la Crèche Program!
La Crèche classrooms are a busy, happy place where children learn, explore, sing, and dance. The program for our toddlers was designed to encourage each child’s growing need for independence and to foster the development of their self-esteem in a safe, nurturing environment.
The program is based on a combination of the French National Education program and the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. The specific focal points of this program are individualized for each student.
Toute Petite Section (TPS – PK2)
Welcome to Pre-Kindergarten 2
Starting at age two, preschoolers begin learning handwriting, vocabulary in both English and French. They also study math and science, social interaction and develop their motor skills through play and hands-on learning activities. The program is based on a combination of the French National Education program and the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. The specific focal points of this program are individualized for each student.
Children age 2 develop quickly physically, cognitively and socially. Using experiences and structured play, teachers help children begin to understand the places, people, and things in their culture and environment.
Petite Section – (PS – PK3)
Welcome to Pre-Kindergarten 3
The Petite Section (PS – PK3) students engage in play based and teacher directed activities to grow socially and emotionally while at the same time building strong foundations in the areas of communication, pre-academic skills, and physical development. It is for children who are age 3. The program is based on a combination of the French National Education program and the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. The specific focal points of this program are individualized for each student.
Moyenne – (MS – PK4)
Welcome to Pre-Kindergarten 4
The Moyenne (MS – PK4) class provides exciting learning opportunities that nurture cognitive, social-emotional, physical and creative development. The teachers help children build confidence, curiosity and develop the skills needed for a happy and rewarding future. PK4 students are prepared for success in elementary school from a balance of academic and social development, physical well-being and creative expression.
The program is based on a combination of the French National Education program and the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. The specific focal points of this program are individualized for each student.
Instruction
Our program follows the requirements of the French Ministry of Education, whose demanding curriculum has a proven track record of success. The French National Education curriculum is learner-centered and focused on students’ needs. LIH welcomes children starting at 18 months old and offers a context-based education that is tailored to the profile of every child, so they can develop their knowledge and skills to their highest potential. Our teachers use the latest findings in the fields of cognitive science and neurology to adapt their teaching and closely follow each child. Our learning environment is one that is calm and positive and our children learn in small class sizes.
Digital language (coding) is taught in addition to alphabetical languages (French and English). Using a playful approach to learn algorithms, students create, reason and cooperate to accomplish projects and activities. Students use programming basics and see their work evolve to their great satisfaction. When coupling language acquisition with mathematical principles in the execution of projects, students solidify and consolidate learning.
Student : Teacher Ratio
We welcome a maximum number of students in la Crèche/18 months is 9, TPS/ PreK2 is 11 children per class, PreK3 and PreK4 a maximum of 15 children, with an average ratio of 1 adult for 9 children.
Teachers
All of our teachers have real-world experience and give personalized attention to each student. They each have experience working in international institutions within bilingual or multilingual programs.
LANGUAGE ALLOCATION
PK 4
Kindergarten
Language and culture (spoken and written)
mathematics, social studies, arts
11.5 hours taught in English
Language and culture (spoken and written)
mathematics, science, technology, coding, sports