BSD Choice School and Language Program Profiles

School Overview

Jing Mei teaches Mandarin Chinese and English using dual language two-way immersion model. Two-way immersion means student enrollment in the classes is balanced between native Chinese speakers and students who speak other languages such as English, Spanish or Hindi.

Our goal at Jing Mei is for students to:

• Develop high levels of proficiency and literacy in both English and Mandarin
• Demonstrate high levels of academic achievement
• Develop an appreciation and understanding for diverse cultures

Who Can Attend Jing Mei?

Students in kindergarten through 5th grade.

What Makes Jing Mei Unique?

• High Proficiency Dual Language Model
  We aim to ensure that all students develop high levels of proficiency in their first and second language. It is our goal that students will perform at or above grade level in both languages and that students demonstrate positive cross-cultural attitudes and behaviors.
• 90/10 Two-Way Mandarin-English Learning
  We are the only school that offers 90/10 two-way Mandarin-English academic learning opportunities to each and every student school-wide in the greater Seattle Area.
• Content-Enriched Integrated Curricula
  Content knowledge is the goal; language is the tool. Students learn languages through content-enriched integrative curricula:

• Aligned with standards and assessment
• Meaningful and academically challenging and integrates higher order thinking
• Thematically integrated
• Aligned with the vision and goals of bilingualism, biliteracy, and multiculturalism, and includes language and literature across the curriculum
• Reflects and values students’ cultures
• Horizontally and vertically aligned
• Incorporates a variety of materials
• Integrates technology
• Reading and writing instruction commence from day one.
• Teachers speak in target language exclusively during instructional time.

School Overview

The Spanish Immersion Program at Puesta del Sol gives elementary students an opportunity to complete the Bellevue School District curriculum in a nontraditional and exciting way — by immersing them in the Spanish language and culture from kindergarten through 12th grade. Students in the program become proficient in both Spanish and English, while learning the same curriculum content as their peers outside the program.

Who Can Attend Puesta del Sol?

Students in kindergarten through 5th grade may attend Puesta del Sol. Students can continue the Spanish Immersion Program through 12th grade.

Most students enter the program in kindergarten. If openings occur in 1st through 5th grades, students may test into those grades. Entry is by test-in/evaluation only. Students must be at grade level in all areas and will take a written and oral test in Spanish.

Puesta del Sol will accept nonresident entry level applications. The applicants will be placed on a nonresident waitlist for consideration after all resident students have been placed.

What Makes Puesta del Sol Unique?

Students in the Spanish Immersion Program are taught the standard Bellevue School District curriculum but receive instruction in Spanish. They learn to understand, speak, read and write Spanish in addition to English. Classroom teachers have native or near-native ability in the Spanish language and are chosen for their skills and their commitment to the goals of the program. By 5th grade, students from Puesta del Sol test at average or above grade level in core academic areas.

• Spanish Immersion in K-12
  • At the elementary level (K-5), students receive the majority of their instruction in Spanish. Teachers speak Spanish to the students, while making sure they understand instructions and receive answers to their questions.
  • In middle school, students take two classes in Spanish each year, Social Studies and Spanish Language, Literature and Culture. Students receive high school elective credit for three years of Spanish Language, Literature and Culture.
  • Students in high school take one Spanish Immersion class each year. Students can earn college credits for AP courses. Students completing the Spanish Immersion program will also receive an International Spanish Academies Diploma.
• Benefits of Multilingualism
  Studies have found that learning a second language at an early age has many benefits:

• There is a positive effect on brain development and intellectual growth.
• Students gain flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening.
• It opens the door to other cultures and helps children understand and appreciate people from other countries.
• Students acquire Spanish language fluency.
• Spanish Immersion produces successful learners who perform well on tests (i.e., Washington Assessment of Student Learning, also known as WASL)
• Students have increased job opportunities in many careers where knowledge of another language is an asset.

Program Overview

Launching in September 2023, the Arabic Language Program provides opportunities for students to study the Arabic language as part of their regular school day at elementary and secondary school levels. Bellevue School District’s Arabic Language Program is a component of the larger Heritage Language Project, which expands multilingual programing to celebrate the strengths of our diverse community and promote multilingualism and social-cultural competence.

Locations

We plan to add one to three Arabic language elementary school classrooms in grades kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades to an existing BSD school community. The schools selected will be based on community demand.

Who Can Participate?

Incoming kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students may enroll in the elementary school program.

Class sections in grades 6-12 will be added through Bellevue Digital Discovery and available for registration during course selection in February 2023 for current students.

Resident students in grades 6-12 who are home-schooled or are attending private school may attend the Arabic Language class as a part time student. To attend part time, the student may not be attending another Washington State public school, and for private school students, Arabic must not be offered at their school. To request part time attendance, please refer to Procedure 3114P – Part-time, Home-based or Off-Campus Students.

Students residing outside of Bellevue School District boundaries are eligible to apply and will be accepted on a space-available basis.

What Makes the Arabic Language Program Unique?

• Arabic Literacy and Language Instruction
  Students in the elementary program will engage in daily Arabic literacy and language instruction. The Arabic language will be used during other times of the day, such as the morning meeting and during transitions between content lessons in order to increase student exposure to the language. Students in the secondary program will take one class of Arabic as part of their class schedule.
• Culture and Curriculum
  In addition to the Arabic language, students will study math, science, English, social studies, computer science, physical education, SEL and arts as part of the BSD’s elementary curriculum. It is our goal to support Arabic literacy and language development, and to infuse culture throughout the school program.
• Part-Time Attendance Offered for Non-Resident, Home-Schooled, and Private School Students
  The Arabic Language Program welcomes students residing outside of Bellevue School District boundaries to apply. Non-resident students will be accepted on a space-available basis. Resident students in grades 6-12 who are home-schooled or are attending private school may attend the Arabic Language class as a part time student. See details above.

Program Overview

In the Spanish Dual Language Program, students from different language backgrounds learn together while instruction is systematically delivered in two languages. Students read, write, listen and speak in both languages becoming bilingual, biliterate and bicultural while working toward grade level academic achievement. Dual language offers a chance for students to add another language while at the optimal age for language learning.

Locations

• Lake Hills Elementary – K-5
• Sherwood Forest Elementary – K-5
• Stevenson Elementary – K-5
• Highland Middle School – 6-8
• Sammamish High School – 9-11 (11^th grade will be added in 2023-24)

Who Can Participate?

• Incoming kindergarteners: Anybody who lives within the boundaries of the Bellevue School District is eligible to apply.
  The Spanish Dual Language Program will also accept nonresident entry level applications. The applicants will be placed on a nonresident waitlist for consideration after all resident students have been placed.
• Students entering after the initial kindergarten application process: Any student could be considered as long as they meet the Spanish language requirements and there is capacity in the program.

What Makes the Spanish Dual Language Program Unique?

Students who join the program will see incredible benefits throughout their lives. Knowing two languages allows for greater success in university language classes and employment opportunities. Additionally, language skills open the door to other countries, cultures and people.

It is our goal that each student in the Spanish Dual Language Program achieves the following:

• Biliteracy
  Students will be able to read and write at advanced levels in both English and Spanish.
• Biculturalism
  Students will develop positive cross-cultural attitudes to become competent global citizens.
• Academic Achievement
  Students will be able to achieve at or above grade level in academic subjects to be prepared for college and career.