Chinese Immersion

YEAR ENTERING KINDERGARTEN	PROGRAM LOCATION
2023-2024	Full program at Barbara Rose
2024-2025	Full program at Countryside
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

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 two groups 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. Kindergarten is half-day.
• 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.
• Total enrollment of two sections.
   

Program Entry

Students may enter through the kindergarten cohort. Empty spaces may be filled up to Grade 2 if a student possesses the requisite background knowledge as determined through assessment by the program coordinator.