BSD Choice School, Language Programs and Online School 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.

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 the 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 Advanced Placement (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

Started in September 2023, the Arabic Bilingual Program provides opportunities for students to study the Arabic language as part of their regular school day at elementary and secondary school levels.

Locations

The elementary Arabic Bilingual Program is housed at Ardmore Elementary School. Secondary level students take part in the Arabic Bilingual Program through Bellevue Digital Discovery.

Who Can Participate?

Incoming kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd 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 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 part time students. To attend part time, students 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 Bilingual Program Unique?

• Arabic Literacy and Language Instruction
  Students in the elementary program 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 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, social emotional learning (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.

Program Overview

Starting in September 2024, the Hindi Bilingual Program will provide opportunities for students to study the Hindi language as part of their regular school day at elementary and secondary school levels.

Location

The elementary Hingi Bilingual Program will be housed at Ardmore Elementary School. Planning is underway for secondary level students to take part in the Hindi Bilingual Program through Bellevue Digital Discovery.

Who Can Participate?

Incoming kindergarten students may enroll in the elementary school program.

Planning is underway for class sections in grades 6-12 to be added through Bellevue Digital Discovery and available for registration during course selection for current 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 Hindi Bilingual Program Unique?

• Hindi Literacy and Language Instruction
  This unique program offers students the opportunity to learn the Hindi language during the regular school day while studying core subjects such as math, science, social studies, and language arts in English. The primary goal of this program is to celebrate culture and language and foster positive identity.
• Culture and Curriculum
  The Hindi Bilingual Program will:
  • Develop a strong linguistic proficiency in English and Hindi.
  • Expand horizons for future education.
  • Enhance cognitive skills and critical thinking.
  • Embrace diversity and global perspectives.

Program Overview

Starting in September 2024, the Korean Bilingual Program will provide opportunities for students to study the Korean language as part of their regular school day at elementary and secondary school levels.

Location

The elementary Korean Bilingual Program will be housed at Newport Heights Elementary School. Planning is underway for secondary level students to take part in the Korean Bilingual Program through Bellevue Digital Discovery.

Who Can Participate?

Incoming kindergarten students may enroll in the elementary school program.

Planning is underway for class sections in grades 6-12 to be added through Bellevue Digital Discovery and available for registration during course selection for current 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 Korean Bilingual Program Unique?

• Korean Literacy and Language Instruction
  This unique program offers students the opportunity to learn the Korean language during the regular school day while studying core subjects such as math, science, social studies, and language arts in English. The primary goal of this program is to celebrate culture and language and foster positive identity.
• Culture and Curriculum
  The Korean Bilingual Program will:
  • Develop a strong linguistic proficiency in English and Korean.
  • Expand horizons for future education.
  • Enhance cognitive skills and critical thinking.
  • Embrace diversity and global perspectives.

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

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.

School Overview

Bellevue Digital Discovery is BSD’s innovative online learning option for K-12 students in Washington state.

Who Can Attend Bellevue Digital Discovery?

Bellevue Digital Discovery is approved by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction as a K-12 Multi-District online school. Enrollment is open to all Washington State families who live within or outside the Bellevue School District attendance area.

In order to attend, all students are required to apply. Applications are accepted throughout the school year.

What Makes Bellevue Digital Discovery Unique?

The elementary program (Grades K-6) is aligned with Washington State’s Continuous Learning 2.0+ Framework. Students receive synchronous instruction from Bellevue School District teachers for 70% of their school day.

Students also engage in activities led by teacher specialists including art, music, library and physical education.

The secondary program (Grades 7-12) follows the Alternate Learning Experience instructional model in partnership with Imagine Edgenuity. This model allows significant flexibility in where and when instructional hours are provided. Students engage in learning at their own pace.

Students have a teacher assigned for each class who grades assignments and is available for check in and questions. All content is pre-recorded.

Imagine Edgenuity teachers are all certificated in Washington State.

Students in secondary also have one synchronous class called Academic Seminar. This course is credit-bearing and co-taught by two Bellevue School District teachers. Students participate in social-emotional learning, study skills, community-building activities, goal setting and global competency lessons. The purpose of this course is to help students feel connected with other Digital Discovery students and staff and to equip students with skills to be successful online learners.