French – Denver Montclair International School

French

Denver Montclair International School has delivered French-language instruction since its inception in 1977. DMIS is accredited by the French Ministry of National Education, fulfilling the highest educational standards of the United States, France and other French-speaking countries.

Instruction is provided exclusively by native French speakers.

The French educational system is composed of three “cycles” that are designed to honor students’ different developmental rhythms and to ensure educational continuity.


Among the ways French-language instruction is integrated into
a DMIS education:

CYCLE I:  Ages 3 through Kindergarten

Our pre-elementary program emphasizes academic preparation and excellence in an age-appropriate setting. For these young students, school readiness is closely linked with natural language acquisition and the development of social skills.

Students in the 3-year-old and pre-Kindergarten classes are almost fully immersed in French-language instruction, receiving 32 periods of instruction in French per week and 3 periods in English. Students in Kindergarten receive 30 periods of instruction in French and 5 periods in English.

All activities and lessons are carefully designed to help students acquire their second language. Art, music and physical education are integral parts of this program. Art and music are taught in English and physical education is taught in French. Throughout their time in 3-year-old, pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, students learn how to:

  • identify feelings and emotions, and how to express themselves through different means of communication, such as drawing, singing and writing.
  • move within given space and time, gradually and appropriately expanding their environment.
  • use tools and combine several actions to exert influence on objects.
  • reflect on a situation concretely and abstractly, reason, decide, express their choices and communicate their impressions.

We invite you to learn more about our Early Childhood Education program and teaching philosophy.

CYCLE II:  First and Second Grades

First and second graders still spend the majority of their time in a French-language environment, with approximately 25 periods taught in French and 10 periods taught in English (including music, art and workshops). DMIS French and English teachers closely collaborate to ensure lesson plans are complementary and adhere to Colorado Model Standards.

  • Language: Students sharpen their language skills through constant interaction with teachers and classmates. Structured exercises require students to speak, listen, read and write. Gradually, students understand the oral and written rules of English and French and use both languages with equal degrees of comfort and proficiency.
  • Math: Students move from number recognition to basic computation. Decimals and multiplication are introduced after the mastery of addition and subtraction. Students focus on research and reasoning to strengthen the problem-solving skills needed to master mathematics.

CYCLE III:  Third, Fourth and Fifth Grades

Third, fourth and fifth graders spend approximately 18 periods in a French-language environment, 16 periods in English and 1 period in a 3rd language (either Spanish or Mandarin). This tapering accommodates their preparation for middle school. DMIS French and English teachers closely collaborate to ensure lesson plans are complementary and adhere to Colorado Model Standards.

  • Language: An emphasis on reading and writing helps students use their second language with rigor and precision. They understand how to adapt language tenses for formal and informal situations.  
  • Math: Students continue working with decimals, fractions and percentages and are introduced to integers, geometry and advanced concepts in measurement. 
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