Who Are the Visionary Founders of Lycée International de Los Angeles (LILA) ?

“In the 1970s, a group of visionaries felt that the Los Angeles community needed a school that would prepare children for life in an increasingly international environment. In 1978, they decided to make their vision a reality and to open a school, using the proven French educational system as the foundation for their school’s curriculum.

It all began in a small house in Van Nuys with seven students. Some of the founders’ children were among these first students and they worked hard, alongside their parents, to prepare for their new school LYCÉE INTERNATIONAL DE LOS ANGELES ( LILA) which was originally named Collège d’études françaises (CEF) School and later The French American Schools of Southern California before it was named LILA 0r Lycée International de Los Angeles and then International School of Los Angeles.”

The original founders of the International School of Los Angeles are Monique, John Mickus, Pierrette Gaspart and Jacques Gaspart.

The school rebranded and changed its name in 2016 to International School of Los Angeles.

1978CatherineMickusGuylaineGaspart — In 1978 Catherine Mickus and Guylaine Gaspart entering their new school Collège d’études françaises (CEF)

1978SettingUp — 1978 CEF – Collège d’études françaises

1978AfterADayOfWork LILA — Relaxing after a hard day of work

1978BreakTime LILA — Taking a break: Pierrette Gaspart (left) with John Mickus, Catherine Mickus, and Christelle Gaspart.

1978ChristelleGaspart — Christelle Gaspart, painting windows

1978ChristelleGaspartVictoryLocation — Christelle Gaspart, working on the grounds of the new school

1978FrancisMickus — Francis Mickus, working on the entrance of the new school

1978GuylaineGaspart — Guylaine Gaspart, working on the windows

1978JacquesChristelleGaspart — Jacques and Christelle Gaspart at work

THE EDUCATOR

1984MmeBayetBoardOfTrusteesWithStudents — Mme. Bayet (2nd from left), mother of Monique Mickus, who was on the original LILA Board of Trustees for the school – LILA Class of 1981

1981 – A group of students with Mme. Bayet (2^nd from left), mother of Monique Mickus, who was on the original Board of Trustees for the school. She used to quote a saying from Victor Hugo: “ Open schools and you will close prisons.” An educator herself, Mme. Bayet taught French, Latin, and Philosophy when the school first opened in 1978.

THE VISIONARY

1994MoniqueMickus — LILA co-founder Monique Mickus

LILA co-founder Monique Mickus came from a long line of educators and was one of the first teachers in 1978 when the school opened. Her great-grandfather, French historian and author Alphonse Aulard ( 1849-1928), held the chair of Professor of History of the French Revolution at the Sorbonne, succeeding Michelet. He was also a co-founder of the Ligue des droits de l’homme and was president of the Mission Laïque from 1906-1912. Her grandfather, Albert Bayet ( 1880-1961) was Professor of Sociology at the Sorbonne and at the L’Ecole pratique des hautes etudes. He too was a member of the Ligue des droits de l’homme and was president of the Ligue de l’enseignement from 1949-1959. He was president of the Federation nationale de la presse libre during WWII and president of the Federation nationale de la presse française following the war.

CELEBRATION

On December 31^st1978, co-founders Pierrette Gaspart and Monique Mickus celebrated the completion of the first term of their new school.

FirstNY1978 — December 31st, 1978, Pierrette Gaspart and Monique Mickus celebrate the first term of their new school.

CO-FOUNDERS

1993Accounts — Pierrette Gaspart and Monique Mickus Co-Founders of LILA

While Monique Mickus may have had a clear vision for the school, nothing put her in a bad mood more than going over the accounts. Co-founder Pierrette Gaspart found a way to put a smile on her face as they went over the dreaded task in this photo taken in 1993. Pierrette Gaspart first opened her business doors in Westwood to host the first classroom in Los Angeles for the school.

Co-FoundersJacquesGaspartJohnMickus — Two of the original LILA co-founders, Jacques Gaspart and John Mickus.

MOVE TO VAN NUYS METHODIST CHURCH in the 1980’s– First formal school buildings. As the school grew out of its original cramped quarters, it was moved briefly to shared grounds with a Methodist church in Van Nuys.

MethodistChurchVanNuys — LILA sharing grounds with Methodist Church Van Nuys

MethodistChurchVanNuys3 — Playing outside at recess

MethodistChurchVanNuys2 — LILA Teaching Team

1993 – LOS FELIZ CAMPUS – The first graduation ceremony at the Los Feliz campus took place, led by co-founder Pierrette Gaspart and Elizabeth Chaponot, daughter of co-founders Monique and John Mickus.

1993FirstLFGraduation — Pierrette Gaspart and Elizabeth Chaponot, daughter of co-founders Monique and John Mickus. Los Feliz Graduation 1993

1993 – An outing of students with (from left) co-founder Jacques Gaspart, teacher Sam Donlavy, Woodland Hills campus director Shahin Partiyeli, Los Feliz elementary campus director Giselle Mancheva, and co-founder Pierrette Gaspart.

1993Outing — School Field Trip Outing in 1993

1995GraduatingClass — The graduating class of 1995

CentenaireCDG1990 — LILA students at an event celebrating the centennial of Charles de Gaulle / centenaire de Charles de Gaulle, 1990

35th LILA ANNIVERSARY

LILA35Jacques — Co-Founder Jacques Gaspart at LILA 35 – 35th Anniversary

Thank you Ai-lin Grison, LILA Public Relations for this wall display of the “Origins of LILA in 1978 ” during the 35th LILA Anniversary at the Burbank Campus.