Home » French Classes for Kids in the Bay Area – EFBA

French Classes for Kids in the Bay Area

EFBA (Education Française Bay Area) is a nonprofit French language school serving children ages 5–18 across the San Francisco Bay Area since 2009.

Through afterschool French classes, immersive summer camps, online learning, cultural programs, and family events, EFBA helps children develop real French language skills while building confidence, cultural connection, and long-term bilingualism.

EFBA operates a structured 12-year learning pathway designed for both:• beginners discovering French for the first time• and Francophone/multilingual children seeking to maintain and strengthen their French

Students benefit from:• small-group immersive instruction• experienced French-speaking educators• a long-term curriculum aligned with DELF proficiency benchmarks• and a community-centered approach that brings language learning beyond the classroom

As one of the Bay Area’s most established French-language schools, EFBA partners with schools and communities across San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Mountain View, San Carlos, Palo Alto, San José, and surrounding areas.

EFBA has been accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) since 2014 and by the American Camp Association (ACA) since 2019, reflecting the organization’s long-standing commitment to educational quality, safety, and operational excellence.

EFBA at a Glance

 A nonprofit French language school serving children across the San Francisco Bay Area since 2009.

  • Founded: 2009
  • Type: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) school
  • Accreditation: WASC accredited since 2014; ACA-accredited camps since 2019
  • Locations: 10+ Bay Area sites + online
  • Ages: 5–18
  • Formats: In-person and online classes
  • Student Profiles: Beginner/FSL and Francophone tracks
  • Programs: Afterschool French classes, summer camps, cultural programs
  • Curriculum: 12-year curriculum with DELF preparation

Our French Programs for Children

Afterschool French Classes

EFBA’s afterschool program provides consistent, structured language learning throughout the academic year. Designed for long-term progression, students build vocabulary, confidence, and fluency over time in a supportive and engaging environment.

French Summer Camps

Our immersive summer camps combine language learning with creative projects, outdoor activities, and cultural exploration. Camps are designed to make French fun and accessible while reinforcing real communication skills.

Online French Classes

EFBA offers live, interactive online classes for families who prefer flexible scheduling or do not live near a physical location. Students receive the same structured instruction and curriculum as in-person programs.

Cultural Programs & Events

Throughout the year, EFBA offers cultural activities and events that bring French-speaking cultures to life. These experiences deepen students’ connection to the language beyond the classroom.

Who We Serve

EFBA supports a wide range of learners:

Children with no prior French experience; Bilingual and heritage speakers; Students seeking structured, long-term language learning; Families looking for meaningful cultural connection

Our programs are designed to meet students where they are and support their growth over time.

Locations in the Bay Area

EFBA offers programs across multiple locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, including:

San Francisco, Mountain View, Berkeley, Walnut Creek / East Bay, Additional partner school sites

Families searching for French classes near them can find EFBA programs in convenient, community-based locations, as well as online.

Region Location Address
SF & North Bay San Francisco (Noe Valley) – Saint Philip School of San Francisco 665 Elizabeth St, San Francisco, CA 94114
SF & North Bay San Francisco (Sunset) – Christ Church Lutheran 1090 Quintara St, San Francisco, CA 94116
SF & North Bay Tiburon – St. Hilary School 765 Hilary Dr, Belvedere Tiburon, CA 94920
SF & North Bay Napa – Covenant Presbyterian Church 1226 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA 94558
East Bay Alameda – Phoenix Alameda 2315 Lincoln Ave Unit 2, Alameda, CA 94501
East Bay Berkeley – Maybeck High School 2727 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
East Bay Brentwood – TBD TBD
East Bay Kensington – TBD TBD
East Bay Orinda – Berkeley Korean United Methodist Church 451 Moraga Way, Orinda, CA 94563
East Bay San Ramon – Walt Disney Elementary School 3250 Pine Valley Rd, San Ramon, CA 94583
East Bay Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill – St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 3051 Putnam Boulevard, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Peninsula & South Bay Belmont – Francophone – Nesbit Elementary School 500 Biddulph Way, Belmont, CA 94002
Peninsula & South Bay Belmont – FSL – Trinity Presbyterian Church 1106 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Carlos, CA 94070
Peninsula & South Bay Menlo Park – All Saints Episcopal Church 555 Waverley St, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Peninsula & South Bay Mountain View – Amy Imai Elementary 253 Martens Ave, Mountain View, CA 94040
Peninsula & South Bay San Jose – TBD TBD

Region Location Address
SF & North Bay San Francisco – St. Anne of the Sunset 1343 Funston Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
East Bay Berkeley – Maybeck High School 2727 College Ave Berkeley, CA 94705
Peninsula & South Bay Mountain View – June 11 to June 26 and August 3 to August 7, 2026 – Mountain View Academy 360 S. Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94041
Peninsula & South Bay Mountain View – June 29 to July 31 – German International School 310 Easy Street, Mountain View, CA 94043
Peninsula & South Bay San Carlos – Trinity Presbyterian Church 1106 Alameda De Las Pulgas,  San Carlos, CA 94070

A Proven, Structured Approach to Learning French

EFBA follows a structured curriculum designed to support long-term language development. Students progress through a multi-year pathway aligned with internationally recognized benchmarks, including preparation for the DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) exams.

EFBA is also the creator of the Virgule curriculum, a widely used French-learning textbook series for children, reinforcing its commitment to high-quality, research-based language education.

What Families Say

“Our daughter started with no French and now confidently speaks with her grandparents. EFBA has been an incredible part of our family’s life.”

“We were looking for more than just a class, and EFBA truly feels like a school community. The structure and consistency have made a huge difference.”

“The teachers are amazing, and the program strikes the perfect balance between learning and fun. Our child looks forward to it every week.”

Get Started

Whether your child is just beginning or already speaks French, EFBA offers a pathway to grow their skills and confidence over time.

Frequently Asked Questions About French Classes for Kids in the Bay Area

Children can begin learning French as early as preschool age. At EFBA, our after school programs are designed for children ages 5–18, with age-appropriate curriculum and teaching methods adapted to each developmental stage. Camp starts at 4 years old. Younger children often acquire pronunciation and listening skills naturally through immersion, songs, and games, and interaction, while older children acquire language projects, activities and exposure to real-world interactions.

No. EFBA welcomes both complete beginners and fluent French speakers.

We offer:
• French as a Second Language (FSL) classes for non-native speakers
• Francophone programs for native or bilingual French-speaking children

Our team helps place students in the appropriate level based on age, experience, and language exposure.

Yes. Consistency matters more than intensity for long-term language acquisition.

EFBA’s part-time immersion model combines live instruction, repetition, social interaction, and cultural exposure throughout the academic year. Many of our students begin with little or no French exposure and progressively develop speaking, comprehension, reading and writing skills over the course of our 12-year program.

Traditional immersion schools are full-time schools where all or most academic subjects are taught in French during the regular school day.

EFBA is a nonprofit French language school offering a flexible part-time model that includes:
• After school French classes
• Summer camps
• Online learning
• Cultural programs and events

Many families choose EFBA either:
• As an affordable yet high-quality alternative to a full-time program,
• To complement a full-time immersion program.

Yes. Our classes are conducted in full French immersion. This includes FSL classes for non-native speakers.

Teachers speak French throughout classes and activities in order to encourage natural language acquisition and build confidence in real-world communication.

EFBA serves families across the San Francisco Bay Area, with in-person locations in:
• San Francisco
• Peninsula
• Silicon Valley / South Bay
• East Bay
• North Bay

Yes. EFBA offers live online French classes for children in grades K–12.

Our online program follows the same curriculum and academic structure as our in-person classes and is taught by experienced French teachers through live interactive sessions.

No. Many EFBA families do not speak French at home.

Our French as a Second Language (FSL) programs are specifically designed for children learning French as an additional language in a supportive and engaging environment

Our educators are selected based on both professional qualifications and their ability to create a warm, engaging, multicultural learning environment for children.

Many teachers are native French speakers and all receive specialized training in immersion-based teaching methods.

Yes. EFBA’s programs are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Yes. EFBA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2009 with the mission of promoting bilingualism, multiculturalism, and French language education in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Research consistently shows that bilingualism can support:
• cognitive flexibility
• communication skills
• cultural awareness
• long-term language proficiency

For many families, French learning also becomes an important connection to identity, heritage, international culture, and future academic opportunities and personal enrichment.

EFBA offers limited “Free Week” trial opportunities so families can experience the program before committing to enrollment. Availability varies by location and season. Contact Admissions@efba.us to schedule a free trial.