Most children at the school come from English-speaking homes and have had little if any exposure to French prior to enrollment. In many cases, one or both parents have some knowledge of French and are eager that their children not grow up limited to just one language. A minority of the children at the school come from French-speaking homes.

The children do not wear uniforms. The school makes a conscious effort to discourage an elitist attitude and to promote a sense of family and community, a feeling of continuity and belonging across the various categories and age levels. Many of the children, having attended the school for eight or even ten years, develop lasting friendships with their schoolmates and come to think of the school as their second home.