Portland Public Schools (PPS) is home to an innovative K-12 Chinese language program. Beginning in Kindergarten, students spend half of the school day learning language and content classes in Mandarin Chinese, according to a 50/50 immersion model. In middle and high school, beginning and Heritage classes are available as well.
The PPS Chinese immersion programs started in 1997 as a grassroots effort by parents and educators who saw the need to accommodate the desire of a growing interest in learning Chinese language and culture in the community. The Mandarin immersion program at Woodstock Elementary School (K-5) requires students to spend half of their day in regular classes taught in Mandarin and the other half taught in English. Students learn the language and culture as they study various core subjects through developmentally appropriate curriculum and instruction. Immersion students continue their studies at Hosford Middle School, followed by Cleveland High School, both of which offer beginning as well as immersion classes.
In 2005, the National Security Education Program (NSEP) awarded PPS along with the University of Oregon a generous grant and a challenging task: they are to explore and establish the nation抯 first K-16 Chinese Flagship model so that it can be replicated by other schools. The grant provides a four-year scholarship for qualified high school graduates to study at the University of Oregon抯 Chinese Flagship program.
The first group of Flagship Scholars will enter the University of Oregon抯 Chinese Flagship program in September 2006. The Chinese K-16 Flagship program will create unparalleled opportunities for students who are enrolled in the K-12 Mandarin Chinese programs at PPS. Currently, there are over 350 students in both the immersion and heritage programs at PPS. This number will increase significantly as the immersion program at Woodstock Elementary doubles its capacity to accommodate an increasing demand in learning Mandarin Chinese.
