Special thanks to Annie Kendall for her work on this story.

Courtesy of Portland Public Schools

Language immersion, or dual language programs, capitalize on most children’s ability to quickly acquire new language and can have positive impacts on dual fluency later in life and career. Some families may wish for dual language to support their unique cultural heritage, while others wish to expand their world and opportunities. Learning and knowing multiple languages may also help support kids later in life when they apply to college, or choose a career.

Whatever your family’s reason, there are different variations on language schools in the greater Portland area. Check out these opportunities in your area.

Portland

Portland Public School’s (PPS) dual language programs prioritize closing the gap for historically underserved students and promoting the benefits of biliteracy with multiple program pathways and entry points. PPS offers language programs via a 90/10 model and a 50/50 model and includes programs in Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese. The 90:10 model is offered in Russian and Spanish, with kindergarteners beginning 90% of instruction in the partner language and moving to 20% by high school. The 50:50 model is offered in Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese with half the day taught in each language for grades K-5 and 20% in the partner language by high school.

Japanese Immersion

Chinese Immersion

Russian Immersion

Vietnamese Immersion

Spanish Immersion

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

High Schools

Beaverton

Beaverton Language Immersion schools operate on a graduated 80/20 immersion program (where students are instructed in the partner language 80% of the day, and in English 20% of the day), beginning in Kindergarten, and expand English instruction by 10% each year. (For example, 3rd graders receive 50% instruction in the partner language and 50% in English). The idea is to focus first upon literacy in the partner language and secondarily learn literacy in English. Classes ideally consist of a mix of native and bilingual speakers from each language. Upon reaching middle and high school, some classes are taught 100% in the partner language and others 100% in English increasing cross-linguistic skills.

Elementary Schools

Secondary Schools

Hillsboro

A program designed to develop bilingual, biliterate and bicultural students, the Hillsboro School District supports elementary school students who learn the same curriculum as their peers with added language learning. Families are encouraged to support language growth for all family members outside of school hours as well. Programs offer a 50/50 language model integrating English and Spanish-speaking students at the middle school and high school levels supporting biliteracy.

Hillsboro Elementary Schools with Dual Language Programs

Hillsboro Secondary Schools with Dual Language Programs

The following schools are considered “fully articulated” for dual language programs by the school district:

The following schools have limited Spanish Dual Language Program Cohorts:

  • Evergreen Middle, one dual language program cohort for grades 7-8
  • Poynter Middle, one dual language program cohort for grades 7-8
  • R.A. Brown Middle, one dual language program cohort for grades 7-8
  • Century High School, one dual language program cohort for grade 9
  • Liberty High School, one dual language program cohort for grade 9

Sherwood

The Sherwood dual language program operates on a spring-season lottery for a K-5 Spanish language program. Students are talk at least half time in the partner language.

Tigard-Tualatin

The Tigard-Tualatin language immersion program focuses on Spanish-English biliteracy. Elementary school programs support a mix of 50% native Spanish speakers and 50% English speakers and operate on a 90/10 model, with Spanish instruction decreasing by 10% each year until they reach a 50/50 mix. Middle school students learn on a 50/50 model, with half the lessons being taught in each language and includes Spanish language arts and Spanish content courses. High School students may take up to three classes per year in Spanish.

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

High Schools

Lake Oswego

The language immersion program for elementary students offers Mandarin-Chinese and Spanish immersion programs beginning in kindergarten. Pro tip: Language inclusion programs require an application and often have a wait list. Students who wish to continue Spanish language immersion can pursue programs through middle and high school.

Newberg

The Newberg dual language program supports Spanish immersion, beginning at 80% Spanish in kindergarten and working up to a 50/50 language mix by 3rd grade. Pro tip: Students can enter via lottery, transfer or as a native Spanish speaker.

North Clackamas

North Clackamas schools offer Spanish immersion beginning in kindergarten via lottery. The program features 60% native Spanish speakers and 40% English speakers and begins with 80% of the initial curriculum provided in Spanish. A mix of 50/50 language instructions is achieved by 4th grade. Students may continue their study in middle and high school.

Oregon City

Oregon City language immersion begins with a kindergarten lottery in February. Programs are focused on cultural competency, academic achievement, and bilingual and biliteracy goals. Students learn to read and write in Spanish first with English Literacy introduced in 2nd grade.

West Linn-Wilsonville

In addition to developing biliteracy and biculturalism, the West-Linn and Wilsonville language programs hope to spark curiosity and cultural appreciation. K-5 Spanish programs offer a one-way language immersion for native speakers and dual language immersion for students from both Spanish and English speaking backgrounds. Middle school and high school students may take two of their six classes in Spanish. Mandarin elementary language programs operate in a similar manner to Spanish, with one-way learning given priority placement to native Mandarin speakers and dual learners offered by lottery, and students may continue their learning through middle and high school.

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

High Schools

Vancouver

Dual language programs in the Vancouver Public School District are available at both choice and neighborhood schools. Elementary language instructions begins with a 90/10 model and increases English instruction by 10% each year, up to 50%. Middle school students may take two classes per grade and may earn high school credits. High schools students may earn college credits and the Washington Seal of Biliteracy.

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

High Schools

Evergreen Public School Dual Language K-12

The Evergreen district dual language program is designed to close gaps for the underserved and to promote biliteracy. Kindergarteners begin on the 90/10 model with 10% changes as children progress by grade to 50/50 instruction. Secondary school students can expand their language skills in language arts and social studies classes.

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

High Schools