3657 Fromme Road, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7K 2E6
School Busing:
Cousteau School offers bus transferring.
Service options offered are regular rider.
The regions Cousteau School offers busing from are:
North Vancouver
Vancouver
Additional notes: The school offers 2 bus routes from Vancouver to North Vancouver.
There are 2 departures in the afternoon, just after school ends at 3:15PM and after the first club slot at 4:50PM.
The bus routes change every year depending on the parents registration.
THE OUR KIDS REPORT: Cousteau, The French International School of Vancouver
The big picture on Cousteau, The French International School of Vancouver
We summarized the school ourselves
When schools describe themselves as international they can mean different things, from recruiting an international student population, to delivering curriculum through a global lens. In the case of Cousteau, however, it’s principally a reference to the curriculum: the school adopts both the BC curriculum as well as that of the French Ministry of Education, in partnership with the AEFE. That’s of interest to French nationals, for example, who intend to return to France at some point. It’s also of interest to families of children who may be moving elsewhere at some point and wish to enroll in another AEFE school. That said, most families have more general reasons for enrolling at Cousteau, including the quality of the immersion program and the focus of the curriculum, one centred on the values of multiculturalism and environmental stewardship. (The name was changed in 2013, from The French International School of Vancouver, in order to highlight formal ecological outcomes added to the school curriculum as well as a partnership with Cousteau Foundation and the Aquarium of Vancouver.) The ideal student is one operating at the top of his or her peer group, and looking to be challenged within an environment of true peers.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"Cousteau is the only school in BC offering a top-tier academic experience from Preschool to Grade 9, blending curricula from France and British Columbia. Students are immersed in a bilingual environment from PreK, with 75% of instruction in French and 25% in English, they thrive in small classes that foster critical thinking and independence. Accredited by the AEFE network (488 schools in 130 countries), the school also offers 3 bus lines, before & after-school care, and a wide range of extracurricular activities."
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"What sets Cousteau School apart is its unique integration of two rigorous curricula, France’s national program and British Columbia’s curriculum—delivered in a fully...(more)
"What sets Cousteau School apart is its unique integration of two rigorous curricula, France’s national program and British Columbia’s curriculum—delivered in a fully bilingual environment. This dual approach develops truly global citizens: students who are academically versatile, culturally fluent, and intellectually agile.
Cousteau is particularly well-suited for families seeking a multicultural education grounded in strong values: Respect, Courage, Integrity, and Empathy. These values aren’t just taught, they shape the daily student experience through collaborative learning, community service, and a culture of kindness and curiosity.
Unlike many schools, Cousteau embraces its small size as a strength, allowing for individualized attention, strong teacher-student relationships, and a flexible learning environment that adapts to students’ needs, interests, and learning styles."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"Cousteau School has consciously chosen depth over breadth to serve families seeking a meaningful, values-based, bilingual education. One of the key tradeoffs we’ve made is...(more)
"Cousteau School has consciously chosen depth over breadth to serve families seeking a meaningful, values-based, bilingual education. One of the key tradeoffs we’ve made is prioritizing a global mindset over a purely local focus, by delivering both the French national curriculum and the BC curriculum, we commit to the complexity of preparing students to thrive across cultures, rather than streamlining for local standardization.
We also favour balance over specialization: our students don’t just excel academically, they develop as whole individuals through arts, sports, languages, and social-emotional learning. This requires thoughtful allocation of resources toward a well-rounded program, rather than over-investing in one niche."
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
Information not yet available.
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"Cousteau is a great fit for students who are naturally curious, open-minded, and eager to explore the world through both French and English. Our dual curriculum encourages...(more)
"Cousteau is a great fit for students who are naturally curious, open-minded, and eager to explore the world through both French and English. Our dual curriculum encourages flexible thinking, resilience, and a love of learning—making it ideal for children who enjoy academic challenge but also value creativity, collaboration, and kindness. Students who thrive here are not just looking to excel on paper; they’re engaged, thoughtful, and enjoy being part of a diverse, supportive community.
Cousteau families tend to believe that education is about much more than grades. They value bilingualism as a lifelong gift, see character development as essential, and want their children to grow into confident, compassionate global citizens. Parents who are involved, communicative, and ready to partner with teachers in their child’s journey find our approach especially meaningful."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"Cousteau School may not be the right fit for families who prioritize a single-language, highly standardized, or test-driven education. Our bilingual, values-based approach focuses...(more)
"Cousteau School may not be the right fit for families who prioritize a single-language, highly standardized, or test-driven education. Our bilingual, values-based approach focuses on long-term development, global perspective, and social-emotional growth. Families seeking a more traditional, competitive, or purely local academic model may find our philosophy and learning environment don’t align with their expectations."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
Information not yet available.
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"Cousteau is seen by the public as a warm, nurturing, and academically strong bilingual school with an international outlook. Families recognize it as a place where children are...(more)
"Cousteau is seen by the public as a warm, nurturing, and academically strong bilingual school with an international outlook. Families recognize it as a place where children are known, challenged, and supported, both intellectually and emotionally. Its image is one of balance: rigorous without being rigid, global yet grounded in community, and values-driven without being idealistic. Many parents view Cousteau as a hidden gem, a school that quietly delivers excellent results while staying true to its human-centered, inclusive mission."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
Information not yet available.
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
Information not yet available.
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"Over the past year, Cousteau has made several exciting improvements to enhance student experience and learning. We built a new climbing wall in the gym to support physical...(more)
"Over the past year, Cousteau has made several exciting improvements to enhance student experience and learning. We built a new climbing wall in the gym to support physical confidence and well-being, and we invested in a full set of educational robots, allowing students from kindergarten to grade 9 to explore coding and robotics in hands-on, age-appropriate ways. Most significantly, we received official accreditation for Grade 9, enabling us to offer the Brevet des collèges—a key French diploma that marks the completion of middle school and prepares students for high school and beyond. These changes reflect our ongoing commitment to innovation, excellence, and student growth at every level."
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
Both my kids love their teachers and their friends. They’re proud that they can speak three languages fluently. They have both reached a French level of expertise that cannot be distinguished from French people in France. It is a far higher level than what one can expect from French Immersion programs.
They both have many friends. My main indication that they like school is that they go without complaint and it is very difficult to get them to leave at pickup time. They want to stay longer to play with their friends at school.
They love going to their after school clubs at the school with their friends. Whereas they complain going to activities outside of school, they never complain about their after school programs ran through school.
They love the amazing variety of choices they have for their after school activities including swimming, skating, gymnastics, robotics, art, hip hop, karate, and so much more.
They love the many field-trips they get to go on.
They love the hot lunch program.
Most families don’t realize this amazing school is open to all families, not just French families.
Dig deeper into Cousteau, The French International School of Vancouver
The Trusted Source for Families since 1998
