By Leslie Albrecht
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER WEST SIDE — "I'm so hungry," said Violet, a three-and-a-half-year-old student at a new Upper West Side private preschool on a recent morning. "J'ai faim," the teacher said back to her, repeating the little girl's complaint in French.
At La Petite Ecole, which opened its doors three weeks ago in a cozy West 82nd Street brownstone, toddlers who can barely read in their native English language are receiving instruction in French, while at the same time learning about modern art.
The school was founded by Chelsea gallery owner Virgil de Voldere, 33, a third-generation art dealer who grew up in France.
De Voldere said he learned about art growing up in auction houses and museums and wants to create a similarly stimulating environment at La Petite Ecole.
"There's something mysterious about contemporary art," said De Voldere, who wants the school to give students a foundation in a second language and expand their visual vocabulary as well.
"Children are so excited about it," he added. "I'd be happy if in a few years parents tell me their children learned something here that gave them a different attitude about the world."
The school is decorated with a painting by contemporary artist Nina Bovasso, who's work is in the public collections of MoMA and the Whitney. Last week, students made wire sculptures based on the work of Alexander Calder and De Voldere plans to invite artists to visit the school to teach students about the creative process.
Tuition for La Petite Ecole is $16,100 a year for the 3.5 hour morning session. De Voldere, who helped start a dual language French-English program at P.S. 84, said La Petite Ecole's pricetag is relatively cheap for a dual-language program and added that Upper West Side parents are particuarly receptive to French language instruction for their children.
"People on the Upper West Side are really cosmopolitan and they love to travel," De Voldere said.
For now, La Petite Ecole has five students. De Voldere's goal is to grow the school to 12 students with two teachers. The school also runs an after-school program for children as old as 10. Activities include learning how to cook French dishes such as ratatouille.
