Language immersion is an approach to second language instruction in which teaching and learning of core content occur in a language other than English. This means that the target language is the medium of instruction for the teacher and of learning for the students. Blue Valley uses a dual language immersion model in which students are co-taught by two full-time classroom teachers, spending half of the day in the target immersion language and half in English. The immersion program begins in kindergarten.

APPLICATION

The Chinese Immersion application for the 2023-24 school year has closed. 

VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION

Blue Valley’s Chinese Immersion program hosted a virtual information session for parents on Feb. 28, 2023. To watch the information session, please visit Blue Valley School's YouTube page.

PROGRAM EVALUATION

With the conclusion of the 2022 - 2023 school year, the first cohort of kindergarten students will advance to middle school.  The progression of this complete cohort marked an opportunity for program evaluation aligned with planning for middle school and high school Chinese language instruction opportunities.  Additionally, the sustainability of the program required consideration given the increasing reality of shortages of qualified teacher applicants for the program. The program evaluation included review of program administration, enrollment, student achievement, staffing, fiscal demands, and program delivery models for elementary, middle and high school levels.

The goals of the program evaluation and any resulting outcomes will include the following:

• Provide Mandarin instruction in a sustainable manner
  
  
• Attract, retain, and support high-quality Chinese Immersion program teachers; both Chinese and English-speaking teachers within the program
  
  
• Sustain a pathway for current immersion students to achieve success on the AP Chinese Language test in high school

Read Program Evaluation Report and watch program evaluation report to Board of Education.

Part of the program evaluation includes a Chinese Immersion Advisory Task Force that includes representation from current Chinese Immersion families. The task force will begin meeting after spring break and throughout the summer with the goal to come back to the Board of Education with program recommendations in the fall. Applications will be available by the end of February.

2023-24 kindergarten families should note the following considerations as they make an enrollment decision:

• Kindergarten cohorts will only be established if enrollment reaches 45 at a site.
• The results of the program evaluation aren't known and may or may not lead to changes in the program. Yet-to-be-determined possible changes may affect the delivery model, years Mandarin is offered, and sites housing the program among other constructs of the program.
• During the process of the program evaluation, staffing challenges remain. The district will work diligently to address these challenges, but also wants to make families aware of possible future situations that potentially could interrupt Mandarin instruction:
  • Lack of qualified teachers for the open positions
  • Lack of qualified substitutes for longer-term teacher absences

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of immersion is language acquisition at a proficiency level equal to the native language, with content and culture as complementary components. Blue Valley's long-term goal is for students to graduate with distinctive bi-lingual skills in multiple language families that set them apart for academic and professional success, as well as provide lifelong personal reward and global intercultural connections.

PROVEN BENEFITS

• Enhances cognitive skills
  
  
• Increases cultural competence
  
  
• Better prepares students for the global community where a second language is an asset
  
  
• Improves performance on standardized tests
  
  
• Teaches second languages skills

SITES AND OPTIONS

Wolf Springs Elementary

Blue Valley Schools’ inaugural language immersion program began in the 2017-18 school year at Wolf Springs Elementary. Up to one-half of immersion students at Wolf Springs come from the Blue Valley Southwest attendance area. Students must be enrolled in in-person learning to apply. 

Valley Park Elementary

Valley Park Elementary is the district’s second Chinese Immersion program site. The first class started in the 2018-19 school year. Students must reside in the VPE attendance boundary to be considered for the VPE program. Siblings of current immersion students will have preference regardless of home school. Students must be enrolled in in-person learning to apply.

ELEMENTARY CHINESE IMMERSION FAQs 

For answers to many frequently asked questions, visit our FAQ page. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHINESE IMMERSION INFORMATION

The middle school program begins in the fall of 2023 at ABMS and the fall of 2024 at OTMS.

Please visit the Middle School Chinese Immersion page.