Lycee Franco-Mexicain
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$5K - US$10K
Curriculum: French
Age Range: 3-18
Students: ~3,300
Location: Polanco & Lomas, Mexico City
Updated April 2026
In Brief
For French-educated families or those committed to the French system, the LFM is a clear choice and well-established enough to trust. If French is not your first language and your child is joining above nursery age, the immersion is real - go in clear-eyed.
Opened in 1937, the Lycee Franco-Mexicain is not trying to compete with ASF or Greengates on curriculum breadth - it is a French school in the full sense, delivering the French national curriculum at a quality that the French Ministry recognises. At around 3,300 students across two campuses, it is one of the largest AEFE schools in Latin America. The AEFE affiliation matters for French families: accreditation is handled via Bordeaux, Bac results count in France, and staff are recruited through standard AEFE channels.
The Polanco campus on Homero is the main site and is central enough that families living west of the historic centre - Polanco, Lomas, Santa Fe - are well served. There is no school bus service, which families without a driver or car should plan around. Facilities include well-resourced libraries (Marmtheque, BCD, CDI) and a digital cafeteria system; the swimming pool and gym are available at both campuses. Class sizes average 25, which is larger than some competitors.
Fees run from MXN 94,000 a year at maternal level to MXN 162,650 at lycee - among the more affordable options in this guide at lower levels. The practical catch is the language: 80%+ of instruction is in French, and children without a strong French base joining above Kinder 1 will struggle unless they have significant exposure. The community is genuinely diverse (60+ nationalities), but the operating language and culture is French first.
What parents value
- –AEFE-accredited French national curriculum with Bac results recognised in France. One of the largest and most established French schools in Latin America.
- –Two well-located campuses (Polanco and Coyoacan) with strong facilities including libraries, gym and pool.
- –Fees are competitive at maternal and primary level by Mexico City international school standards. Sibling discounts available.
- –60+ nationalities on roll; genuinely diverse community within a French educational framework.
Points of consideration
- –No school bus service. Families without private transport or a driver need to factor this in.
- –80%+ French instruction from day one. Children joining above nursery age without prior French exposure face a steep transition.
- –Average class size is 25 - larger than several competitors in this guide. Ask about class sizes at the specific year group your child would enter.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Maternelle (Kinder 1, age 3) | 3 | NaN |
| Maternelle (Kinder 2, age 4) | 4 | NaN |
| Maternelle (Kinder 3, age 5) | 5 | NaN |
| Primaire Cycle 2 (Grades 1-3) | 6 | NaN |
| Primaire Cycle 3 (Grades 4-6) | 9 | NaN |
| College (Grades 7-9) | 11 | NaN |
| Lycee (Grades 10-12) | 15 | NaN |
Fees converted from MXN. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Academic Results
Instruction is 80%+ in French throughout - this is not a dual-language school in the conventional sense. Students follow the French national curriculum in full, leading to the Baccalaureat validated by the Bordeaux academy. Years are recognised by Mexico's SEP, so students can transfer to Mexican universities if needed.
The school has 60+ nationalities on roll but operates as a French school in methodology and expectation. Average class size is 25. Families with no prior French education should check entry requirements carefully - arriving mid-secondary without strong French is difficult. Sibling discounts apply on fees.
Extra Curriculars
Facilities: Libraries (Marmtheque, BCD, CDI) · SmartLunch digital cafeteria · Gymnasium · Swimming pool · Movement rooms · Chromebooks for students
The LFM follows the French school calendar, which differs from the Mexican SEP calendar. There is no school bus service; families manage their own transport. Extracurricular activities follow the French parascolaire model - sport, arts and music are available at both campuses but outside core hours. School events follow the French cultural calendar (Semaine des Sciences, Fete de la Musique, Semaine du Gout) alongside CDMX celebrations.
No uniform is required. Both campuses have swimming pools and gyms. The SmartLunch digital cafeteria system handles meal pre-ordering; libraries are divided by level (Marmtheque for younger children, CDI for secondary). Communication with families is primarily in French, with Spanish and some English for bilingual families.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Around 3,300 students across Polanco and Coyoacan campuses. The school tracks 60+ nationalities, with roughly 22% French citizens, 22% Mexican, and the remainder a mix of Latin American and European families. The operating culture is French - social dynamics, events and parent communication follow French norms even among non-French families.
The Association des Parents d'Eleves (APE) is active and has been a founding member of FAPEE (the federation of French-school parent associations abroad) since 1980. Average class size is 25. The community is genuinely international but French-language fluency is the primary social currency, particularly from primary onwards.
Leadership
Philippe Exelmans
Principal of the Lycee Franco-Mexicain, leading the AEFE-affiliated school across its Polanco and Coyoacan campuses.