Compare American Curriculum International Schools in Washington dc, United states

Rochambeau operates two campuses in Bethesda, Maryland: Maplewood Campus (9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814) and Forest Road Campus (9600 Forest Road, Bethesda, MD 20814). Administrative Offices are at 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814. The campuses are located in the Bethesda area with access to major transit routes along Rockville Pike.

Preschool through High School (ages 2 through 12th grade). Maplewood Campus houses Preschool through 5th grade, while Forest Road Campus houses Middle School and High School.

French international school.

Over 80 nationalities represented. The United States is the most common nationality among Rochambeau students.

Student Learning Support (SLS) provides tutoring, French language support for non-native speakers, and social and emotional support, delivered in individual or small-group formats, in coordination with families and teachers.

AEFE (Agency for French Education Overseas) network.

Rochambeau provides a comprehensive bus system with morning pickups and two afternoon runs at 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm across Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC, serving 127 stops over 165 square miles. The school operates a shuttle between the Forest Road and Maplewood campuses and maintains Park & Bus pickup points near the Maplewood campus. Intercampus shuttle service has restrictions and is available to students with siblings on both campuses or who live nearby; bus service for Maplewood is required for students aged 5+ while it is recommended but not required on Forest Road.

The school is an independent, coeducational day school serving ages 2 through 12.

All students must have a uniform for physical education and sports (EPS). This includes a Rochambeau-logo T-shirt, and the uniform is available at the school store. For field trips, students wear a white shirt, navy blue pants, the Rochambeau tie (provided at the start of the school year), and dress shoes.

Lunch options include bringing lunch from home; Maplewood and Forest Road campuses are nut-free. Balducci's provides prepared lunches for Maplewood Campus (CP–CM2) and Forest Road Campus (6th through 12th grade), with optional participation and minimum participation requirements; registration is via MyschoolBucks.

The school is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board operates under Rochambeau's bylaws (The Rochambeau, the French International School of Washington, DC).

Rochambeau offers a bilingual French-English curriculum for students from age 2 through 12th grade. The school follows the French national curriculum and awards both the Maryland High School Diploma after 11th grade and the French Baccalaure9at or International Baccalaureate Diploma after 12th grade. The IB Diploma Programme is offered, with the French Baccalaure9at International (BFI) option available. Beginning in ninth grade, students may continue in the French track or pursue the IB Diploma. World Languages include Spanish and German, with Latin offered as an elective, and a French Immersion program starts in early childhood.

9:1 student-teacher ratio

Rochambeau provides a Maryland high school diploma after 11th grade and the French Baccalauréat or International Baccalaureate Diploma after 12th grade. 100% of graduates are admitted to four-year colleges. For the Class of 2025, 74 students submitted 649 applications to 222 institutions in 16 countries; by May 2025, there were 363 admissions across 14 countries, with about $6.4 million in scholarships awarded.

100% of the Class of 2025 achieved the French Bac with 44% receiving the mention très bien. A total of 74 students submitted 649 applications to 222 colleges and universities located in 16 countries. By May 2025, Rochambeau had 363 college acceptances across 14 countries, and students were awarded about $6.4 million in scholarships.

Honors recognition is available for high-achieving students. In the IB program results, 87% of students were awarded the IB Diploma with Honors, 53% earned the Advanced Bilingual Diploma, and 16% earned Highest Honors and Distinction.

The school integrates social emotional learning into daily life. Classroom guidance lessons are designed for each grade level, focusing on emotional awareness, stress management, healthy relationships, and preparation for life after high school. Campus wide initiatives include Rochambeau Unplugged, Wellness Wednesdays, Mental Health Awareness Week, Recreation Recess, and mindfulness practices. Motivational Mondays connect storytelling and social media to raise mental health awareness and reduce stigma. Counselors provide individual check ins and small group sessions, and support new families during transitions.

The School Learning Support SLS department provides support to students to achieve greater academic success, including academic tutoring, French language support for non native speakers, and social and emotional support. The SLS team offers services individually or in small groups, inside or outside the classroom, and collaborates with families, teachers, and outside professionals to identify tools, learning plans and objectives, and to support students at home and at school. The department includes French Language Support Teachers FLSCO and Learning Support Teachers SLS who work with students across primary and secondary grades.

English beginners are placed in a dedicated English Language Learning ESL program; English is not a prerequisite for any grade. The ESL program is designed to support English development for new learners.

Mental wellbeing is prioritized through a school wide theme and targeted activities. World Mental Health Day is highlighted with a week of activities for students and families, and counselors provide individual check ins and small group support. Motivational Mondays and other wellness initiatives foster open dialogue about emotional health.

Health and safety are central to Rochambeaus safeguarding approach. The Health Team includes a school nurse at both Maplewood and Forest Road campuses. Medical requirements and forms include immunization certificates for all students. A Communicable Disease Policy governs health measures, and policies exist for administering medication and safeguarding records. The School Counseling Handbook and consent forms support privacy and appropriate reporting when needed.

The admissions process starts in October, one year before the school year being applied for, and continues on a rolling admissions basis after the first round deadline in January. Priority is given to families with siblings already enrolled and to students from the AEFE network. Steps to apply: 1. Register for a tour (on campus or virtual). 2. Complete the online application and pay a $150 non-refundable application fee. 3. Upload the required items: a photo of your child, a birth certificate or French Livret de famille, a letter of motivation explaining why Rochambeau and the French curriculum fit your family, and copies of the child's previous report cards plus a Teacher Evaluation Form. 4. Assessments: for students enrolled in AEFE-accredited schools, admission is based on school records; for students from non-AEFE schools, a virtual assessment is arranged; French beginners applying for the immersion program (Grade 1) may require WPPSI-IV or WISC-V testing and an immersion teacher interview. 5. Parent interview with a member of the admissions team or school director. Rochambeau reserves the right to request additional recommendations or to require additional school work and to offer conditional admission or deny admission. Admission decisions: applications complete with all required items by January 15 will receive notifications by March 7; applications received after January 15 are reviewed on a rolling basis. If admitted, sign the enrollment contract and pay non-refundable enrollment fees: a first-time enrollment fee of $2,500 (one-time per family) and an annual registration fee per child of $1,500, of which $650 is applied toward tuition (fees subject to change). For Middle and High School (French Baccalaureate) and the International Baccalaureate program, additional steps apply (an English assessment in June for class placement in some programs; IB requires a student essay, teacher evaluations, language assessments, and an interview).

Rochambeau offers financial aid based on financial need, awarded without discrimination and may cover up to 80% of tuition, enrollment fees, transportation, and school trips. Aid amounts vary by year and are awarded after review by the financial aid committee; applications are submitted through FACTS and remain confidential. The school may provide supplemental financial aid to families who already receive AEFE scholarships. French citizens may apply for AEFE scholarships or Rochambeau financial aid, and may also pursue Rochambeau aid if not eligible for AEFE. The financial aid process for the 2026–2027 school year opens in January 2026; required documents include 2025 tax returns, 2025 W-2s, and other supporting materials; the application is processed in two steps: FACTS verification (2–3 weeks) and Rochambeau review (which may include an interview). Deadlines are published; after the stated dates, applications may be considered on a rolling basis within budget. A French Government Scholarship route is also available for eligible French citizens via the French Consulate.

The school maintains a waitlist. Families can submit a waitlist form to request placement for a specific grade level; the form captures the student's name and grade and is year-specific (e.g., Waitlist 25-26). The form requires Javascript to submit.

The GISW campus is at 8617 Chateau Drive, Potomac, MD 20854. The school sits in a residential area near Washington, D.C. A Shuttle Bus Service runs from the Bolger Center, 9600 Newbridge Dr., Potomac, MD 20854, to the GISW campus, with multiple buses facilitating morning and after-school transportation.

Preschool (ages 2–4) with morning groups and an optional Afternoon Program and Extended Care; Elementary School from entry level through 4th grade with German curricula and English lessons at U.S. standards; Grades 5 through 12 earn the German International Abitur and a U.S. High School Diploma.

Independent, bilingual.

Germany

Shuttle Bus Service from Bolger Center, 9600 Newbridge Dr., Potomac, MD 20854 to GISW and back. Three buses shuttle in the morning; the first leaves Bolger Center at 8:40 am. After classes, the first bus departs GISW between 11:35 and 11:40 am and returns to the Bolger Center. Direct drop-off or pick-up at GISW on Saturday mornings is not allowed; a parking pass is required to park on GISW grounds; buses are the default option for students and drivers with passes.

The school does not require a uniform.

The school provides lunch through SageDining. Meals are prepared daily with allergen labeling on the online menu and in the cafeteria. Lunch must be signed up for during the admissions process and is served daily in the cafeteria for Grades 1 through 12; preschool meals are prepared daily in the cafeteria with preschoolers eating in classrooms.

The German International School Washington D.C. is governed by the German School Society, composed largely of GISW parents. Membership is open to adults 18+ who agree with the Society's purpose and pay an annual fee. The Board of Directors consists of nine members and oversees affairs not requiring Membership decisions; the Board includes the Head of School, the Director of Administration, a representative of the German Embassy, and the Chairs of the Parents' Association and Employees' Association.

Preschool: Ages 2 through 4; morning groups with the option of staying for the afternoon program and for extended care. Elementary School runs from School Entry Level through 4th grade with a modern learning environment, German curricula, English lessons at U.S. standards, and lab science. Grades 5 through 12 graduate with the U.S. High School Diploma and the German International Abitur, opening doors to universities worldwide. STEM/MINT is offered to allow students to specialize in rigorous mathematics and science curricula focused on problem-solving and research.

Graduates earn both the German International Abitur and a U.S. High School Diploma, enabling admission to universities worldwide.

STEM/MINT Education offers specialized mathematics and science curricula focused on problem-solving and research.

Counselor Grades 1-4 provides students with opportunities to address problems and conflicts during office hours. Social learning takes place daily across the school. GREIF stands for group-oriented, respectful, empathetic, interested, and friendly. The elementary team uses GREIF tokens to reward students who demonstrate these values. Tokens can be exchanged for small gifts; in Grades 1–2, students earn a gift after 10 griffins, and in Grades 3–4 after 15 griffins. The counselor coordinates parent meetings and collaborates with the secondary school counselor to support students' social and emotional development.

Language enrichment is embedded in daily life in the Preschool, with daily sessions helping children acquire German or English as a second language and learn about German and U.S. cultures. The two programs for language acquisition in early childhood, Finki, ich & wir and Hocus & Lotus, are designed to be playful and age-appropriate. The enrichment modules are integrated into daily life and can be combined in diverse ways to meet different development levels. An Overall Language Concept extends language learning from the Preschool through high school graduation.

The Counselor for Grades 5–12 provides individual and group counseling, classroom guidance, student observation, responsive counseling, college counseling, referrals, and parent and teacher support. The counselor coordinates programs dealing with drug awareness and assertiveness training, peer mediation, and crisis intervention. The Counseling section also offers guidance resources with crisis hotlines and community resources for mental health support. The counselor can be reached at counselor@giswashington.org.

The Health Room serves preschool through twelfth grade and operates weekdays 7:45am–3:15pm. The health care team includes a Health Care Manager, an Administrative Assistant, and counselors for the Elementary School and the Upper School. Absences due to illness are reported to the Health Room via the provided email or phone contact. Before admission, health forms are submitted, and after admission families receive access to Magnus Health to store medical documents; immunization requirements are listed and updated for entry and ongoing compliance. Basic immunizations include MMR and Varicella, with additional requirements for vaccines as students progress through grades SEL–12. Magnus Health login is used to upload documents and update emergency contacts. Anti-bullying policy and safeguarding-related resources are included in counseling materials and resources.

1. Create an account on GISW's application portal to start the online application. Submit the required information and supporting documents via the portal. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, subject to availability. The fee schedule includes an Application Fee of $150, a New Student Enrollment Fee of $2,500 (with contract signing and non-refundable), and a Contract Deposit of $1,000 (added to tuition, non-refundable). 2. After the Admissions Office reviews the application, the decision is posted in the application portal. The typical processing time is four to six weeks. GISW cannot accept new students in Grade 12. Application checklists cover Preschool (2, 3, 4-year-olds), Grades K-4, and Grades 5-11. 3. If admitted, sign the enrollment contract in the application portal. The contract submission is due 10 days after receipt. For questions, contact the Director of Enrollment Management, Ms.

GISW offers need-based financial aid through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). FAST (Financial Aid for School Tuition) provides the need analysis used to determine awards. Awards typically range from 10% to 40% of tuition, with a maximum of $4,000 per student for Preschool. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; those submitted by February 20, 2026 are guaranteed a response by March 27, 2026 via email.