Important Updates to Tuition & Class Schedule in 2024

The new year is right around the corner, and with it comes several important changes at the Alliance Française de St. Louis, including updates to our schedule and tuition. These changes are part of our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality French classes while ensuring the sustainability of our programs and fair compensation for our dedicated instructors.

Revised Calendar: Eight-Week Terms

Starting in 2024, all classes at the Alliance Française de St. Louis (including classes for adults and children) will shift to eight-week terms. Prior to this change, adult classes were six-week terms, and children’s classes rotated between twelve-week and six-week terms.

There will be 6 eight-week terms per calendar year. Our goal with this change is to both reduce the frequency of payments and sync our adult class schedule with our children’s classes. The schedule for 2024 is as follows:

Term 1: January 8 - March 2

Term 2: March 4 - April 27

Term 3: April 29 - June 22

Two-Week Summer Break

Term 4: July 8 - August 31

Term 5: September 2 - October 26

Term 6: October 28 - December 21

Two-Week Winter Break

Term 1 (2025): January 6 - March 1

Additionally, you are more than welcome to register for multiple terms at the same time.

Modest Tuition Fee Adjustment

Effective January 2024, there will be a modest increase in tuition fees from $16 to $17.50 per hour of instruction. This adjustment translates to $280 for a two-hour class per eight-week term, a slight increase of only $3 per class compared to the previous rate. For one-hour classes, the new rate will be $140 per eight-week term. Additionally, our 1 1/2-hour casse-croûte classes will now be $60 for four (4) classes ($10 per hour of instruction) or just $30 for four (4) classes if you are already enrolled in a regular class ($5 per hour of instruction).

This is the first fee increase since 2019 and is necessary to raise the pay of our valued instructors while maintaining the high quality of our programs. Importantly, there will be no increase in membership or textbook prices. Even with these adjustments, the Alliance Française de St. Louis remains one of the most affordable Alliance Française schools in the United States, even when considering the cost of living and economic data in different cities.

Flexible Membership Renewal

We are also introducing a change in the annual membership renewal process. Memberships will now be valid for one year from the date of original membership purchase rather than September 30th each year. For existing members, the renewal date will continue to be September 30th.

Celebrating 60 Years of the Alliance Française de St. Louis

2024 is a special year as the Alliance Française de St. Louis celebrates its 60th anniversary. We have planned numerous events to commemorate this milestone, reflecting our long-standing commitment to promoting the French language and Francophone culture.

We appreciate the understanding and support of our members as we implement these changes. Our goal remains to be the premiere French school and cultural center in the Greater St. Louis area now and for many years to come.

The original Alliance Française de St. Louis school in 1964

Our former building at 8505 Delmar Blvd prior to our current residence