Letter from Head of School Dr. Conrad Hughes

Dear LILA families and friends,

It is my real pleasure to welcome you to the International School of Los Angeles—fondly known as LILA, or le Lycée International de Los Angeles. Whether you are a longtime member of our community or discovering us for the first time, I’m so glad you’re here.

From the moment you step onto one of our campuses, you’ll feel something special in the air—a sense of joy, openness, curiosity, and belonging. You might hear children switching seamlessly between French and English on the playground, or see students collaborating across cultures and grade levels on a project that blends art, science, and global awareness. This is LILA in action.

Our educational philosophy rests on three powerful pillars: immersive bilingualism, social-emotional learning and global citizenship.

Our bilingual French immersion program goes far beyond learning vocabulary and grammar—it’s about living the language. From preschool up to 12th grade, students don’t just study in French; they think, create, and problem-solve in it. Whether they pursue the French Baccalauréat until they graduate or enter the International Baccalaureate in English, every LILA student benefits from a uniquely multilingual environment that mirrors the global world in which they are growing up, nurturing the lifeworthy competencies of cognitive flexibility, empathy, skilled communication and, ultimately, confidence. 

Equally important is our commitment to social-emotional learning (SEL). Students learn best when they feel supported, valued, and safe to take risks. SEL at LILA is not a separate program; it’s woven into the very fabric of our classrooms. It’s in the way teachers greet students each morning, the way peers collaborate respectfully, and the way we celebrate both effort and achievement. Our goal is to nurture resilient, thoughtful young people who lead with kindness and integrity.

With 50 student nationalities in our student body, we are the only international school in Los Angeles. Our exceptional, internationally diverse faculty and staff work every day to challenge, inspire, and support our learners as they grow into global citizens who are curious, compassionate, and ready to make a difference. Far beyond graduation, LILA learners carry with them the lifelong benefits of a truly international education, a marvelous gift for life.

I invite you to explore our website, learn more about our programs, and, more importantly, to get a sense of the vibrant, multilingual community that defines LILA. I hope that as you discover who we are, you’ll feel the same warmth, purpose, and joy that make this school so remarkable.

Dr. Conrad Hughes

Head of School