Etoile Du Nord French Immersion Upper School

L’Étoile du Nord French Immersion is a public, tuition-free magnet elementary school in Saint Paul, Minnesota, serving grades Pre-K through 5. It offers one-way French immersion instruction, so students receive most of their teaching in French—including specialist subjects like art, science, physical education, and technology—with the goal of fluency in French. The school is globally diverse, welcoming children from both Saint Paul and surrounding suburbs. Teachers are native or fluent French speakers, many with international experience. L’Étoile provides a full-day Pre-K program, before- and after-school care (Discovery Club), and enrichment through community education. Its mission emphasizes academic rigor, cultural respect, critical thinking, and bilingualism in a nurturing, inclusive environment where families of all backgrounds learn together.

L’Étoile du Nord recently announced that its “Back-to-School Open House” will take place on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

Q1: What are the proficiency rates for L’Étoile du Nord in reading and mathematics?

A: About 62% of students are proficient in mathematics, and approximately 57% are proficient in reading, according to Niche and Homes.com data.

Q2: What is the demographic composition of the student body?

A: Enrollment is ~279 students in grades Pre-K-5. The racial/ethnic breakdown is roughly 38% White, 22.6% Black/African American, 13.3% Hispanic, 5% Asian, and ~21% multiracial. About 33-43% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Q3: What is the student-teacher ratio and class size environment?

A: The student-teacher ratio is approximately 12:1. The number of classroom teachers is ~23.8 full-time equivalent for ~279 students.

Q4: Who leads the school and what is the academic model?

A: Principal is Andrew Barter. The academic model is one-way French immersion: core instruction and specialist subjects are taught primarily in French. All students receive full-day Pre-K, plus specialist teacher instruction (art, PE, science, technology) in French. Families do not need to speak French at home.

Q5: What additional programs or services does the school offer beyond regular instruction?

A: The school offers before- and after-school care via the Discovery Club (fee-based), enrichment through Saint Paul Community Education, and instrumental music lessons (Harmony) for certain grades. Transportation is provided freely for Saint Paul students; out-of-district bussing may also be available.