Chinese Immersion

YEAR ENTERING KINDERGARTEN	PROGRAM LOCATION
2025-2026	Full program at Countryside
2026-2027	Full program at North Barrington
2027-2028	Full program at North Barrington
2028-2029	Full program at Barbara Rose

Note: students in the Chinese Immersion Program attend the same elementary school for grades K-5. For example, if a student entered the program during the 2025-26 school year, the student will attend Countryside for grades K-5. 

*Program location subject to change on an annual basis based on enrollment and facilities.

Selection Process

• Students with a Chinese language background (pre-school, home language, etc.) are weighted 2 times. This background must be substantiated with a proficiency assessment interview or proof of previous, significant study and approved by the program manager before weight will be given in the lottery. 
• To determine which English dominant students are selected for the program, there will be two lotteries.
• Students from the host school will be selected through a Host School Lottery. (12 students)
• Host school students who are not selected will NOT be entered into the other lottery.  Instead, they will be placed on a Host School Waiting List based on the order in which their names were drawn in the Host School Lottery.
• District-wide students (who are not from the host school) will be entered into a District-Wide Lottery.
• District-wide students who are not selected will be placed on a District-Wide Waiting List based on the order in which their names were drawn in the District-Wide Lottery.
   

Preferences 

Within each of the lotteries, preference is given based on the following:

• Students who have siblings in the program are weighted 3 times.

• If one twin (or other multiple) is selected, the other(s) is automatically accepted into the program.
   

How it Works

• Two teachers share a cohort of students.
• One teaches in Chinese, one teaches in English.
• For each child, 50% of the instructional day is in Chinese & 50% is in English.
• Students study grade-level content and meet objectives in English and Chinese.
• In Kindergarten: Math, Science & Chinese Language Arts are taught in Chinese; English Language Arts and Social Studies are taught in English. 
• In First Grade and Second Grade: Math and Chinese Language Arts are taught in Chinese; English Language Arts and Social Studies are taught in English. Science is taught in both English and Chinese.
• In Third Grade and Fourth Grade: Chinese Language Arts, Science and Social Studies are taught in Chinese; English Language Arts and Math are taught in English.
• In Fifth Grade: Chinese Language Arts, Science and Social Studies are taught in Chinese. English Language Arts and Math are taught in English. The Human Body Reproduction Unit is taught in English.
• Specials (Art, Music, PE) are delivered in English.
• Class runs on the elementary school day schedule from 8:00am - 2:40pm. 
   

Research to Support the Concept

• Greater than 90% of our 1st and 2nd grade students are meeting District benchmarks in English Language Arts and Math. This percentage exceeds the non-CI students.
• Studies on bilingual schooling demonstrate the intellectual stimulus for all children that comes from doing academics through two languages. (Source: Baker 2006, 2007, Tokuhama-Espinosa 2003)
• Increase in long-term mental acuity. (Bialystock, 2004 & 2007)
   

Formation of Kindergarten Cohort

• 50% of participants will come from the host school.
• 50% of participants from other district schools.
• A lottery will determine acceptance in each category, if needed.
   

Program Entry

Students may enter the program through winter break of first grade with no prior background in or exposure to Mandarin. After winter break of first grade, students are welcome to join, but must prove proficiency in Mandarin.