The verdict in three sentences
For a French-English bilingual school in Greenwich, Connecticut, the criterion that most often separates providers is copy quality in both languages, well ahead of distance. A Fairfield County agency remains an excellent choice for campus filming, brand workshops and in-person board meetings. If your priority is a truly bilingual site, written by native French and English copywriters and delivered in 3 to 4 weeks at a fixed price, a remote studio that can produce both languages often has the edge.
Why a bilingual site is not a translated site
Families at a Greenwich bilingual school come in two kinds: French-speaking expatriates here for a few years, often in finance in New York or Stamford, and American families who want French for their children. The first look for continuity with the French system; the second want to understand what bilingualism really brings. The same text translated word for word speaks well to neither.
| Site element | "Translation" approach | Native bilingual approach | Effect on families |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program page | English text translated into French | Two texts written for each audience | French families find their bearings (CP, CE1, cycles) |
| School terms | "Grade 1" rendered literally | Clear grade to French class mapping | Fewer questions in interviews |
| Admissions | Single English form | Form and emails in the parent's language | Fewer drop-offs during application |
| Calendar | US calendar only | Notes on bridges with the French calendar | Reassures mobile families |
| Search | French pages poorly indexed | Language tags (hreflang) and dedicated content | Visibility on French-language searches |
| Testimonials | Translated quotes | Authentic content in each language, with written consent | More credibility |
If your school is accredited by the French Ministry of Education, or by NEASC, state it exactly as on your official documents; otherwise, leave it out.
Local agency or remote studio: the weighted grid
Scores from 1 to 5, weights out of 100. Adjust the weights to your situation.
| Criterion | Weight | Fairfield County agency | Remote studio (Kolonell) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native French copywriting | 25 | 2 | 5 |
| Native English copywriting | 15 | 5 | 5 |
| In-person meetings | 15 | 5 | 2 |
| Campus photo and video | 15 | 5 | 2 |
| Fixed scope and price | 15 | 3 | 5 |
| Time to launch | 15 | 3 | 5 |
| Weighted score out of 5 | 100 | 3.65 | 4.10 |
The local agency's 2 on French reflects a common case: French copy is outsourced to an external translator. If your agency has a native French writer in house, the score changes; ask.
What each option costs
2026 ballpark, based on typical quotes from Connecticut and New York agencies and public translator rates. Market maintenance is an assumption, never a Kolonell price.
| Item | Local agency | Freelancer and translator | Kolonell Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website build | $25,000 to 50,000 | $6,000 to 14,000 | $8,900 (multilingual tier, languages set in the quote) |
| French version | $3,000 to 6,000 (external translator) | $3,000 to 6,000 | within the Premium scope agreed in the quote |
| Photo and video | often included | $2,000 to 4,000 | $2,000 to 4,000 (local photographer) |
| Maintenance (market assumption) | $200 to 400 per month | $100 to 200 per month | 3 months included, then on quote |
| Timeline | 10 to 16 weeks | 8 to 14 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks |
Kolonell's grid: Starter $2,900, Growth $4,900, Premium $8,900, with a project manager reachable in your time zone and native English and French copywriters. See the international offer.
When the local agency is the better choice
If your board wants on-site presentations, if you are redoing your logo and brand guidelines at the same time, or if video is your main recruitment tool (filmed tours, student stories), a local agency is justified. It can also attend your spring information sessions. The remote studio is preferable when the brand exists, the quality of both languages is the main issue and the launch date is close.
Compliance, without overdoing it
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- Data: Connecticut has a Data Privacy Act (CTDPA) with thresholds and exemptions; many nonprofit schools fall outside it, so confirm with counsel. Lean forms and a privacy notice in both languages remain good practice.
- Student images: written parental consent, in the parents' language.
- Accessibility: target WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 AA in both languages, with the correct language attribute on every page; secular private schools generally fall under ADA Title III, religious schools are exempt.
This is not legal advice.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Sophie Marchand heads "Greenwich Bilingual School," a fictional school of 210 students from pre-K to grade 8. She compares a local agency quote of $36,000 plus $4,500 of external translation, $40,500 in total, with Kolonell Premium at $8,900 in French and English plus $3,500 for a local photographer, $12,400 in total.
Over 36 months, excluding maintenance: 40,500 / 36 = $1,125 per month for the agency, versus 12,400 / 36 = about $344 per month for the remote studio (Kolonell maintenance on quote after 3 months). Sophie picks the studio and plans a local filming day before the information sessions.
FAQ
Can a remote studio really write in French and English?
At Kolonell, yes: copy is written by natives in each language. The Premium tier at $8,900 is the multilingual tier, and the languages are set in the quote.
Do we need two domains, one per language?
No. One domain with /fr and /en sections and hreflang tags is enough in the vast majority of cases, and it keeps maintenance simple.
Can the site connect to our admissions software?
Yes, a link is immediate; deeper integration with your SIS or parent portal is priced on quote, so allow 1 to 2 extra weeks.
How do we explain the mapping between US grades and French classes?
A simple table on the program page answers the question French families ask most. It takes 1 interview with your academic leadership to prepare.
When should we start?
At least 6 weeks before your information sessions, keeping in mind that work relocations often land in spring. Request a free quote to set the calendar.
Let's scope your project. Describe your curriculum, your two audiences and your target date, and we will propose a fixed bilingual scope delivered in 3 to 4 weeks. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.