what's important to you? 1. good grade school or 2. dual language immerse program? (teaching, average)

[hueimo]

Hi, I need some input here. I’m sending my Kindergarten son to a elementary school with academic high scores and outstanding teachers, it’s a public school, out of home boundary school. The elementary school that’s right next to us has a very low academic score of close to 60, BUT they are offering a dual language immerse program, meaning, they have 2 teachers in the class, in the morning the regular teacher teaches all subjects in English and in the afternoon, there’s a bilingual teacher teaching Chinese for instance, for all subject matters. What’s important to you? The rep and score of the school or having this dual language immerse program offered at an average school that’s walking distance to you? thanks in Advance!

[charolastra00]

I'd sell a kidney to make sure my children were in the bilingual program.

[121804]

Originally Posted by hueimo

Hi, I need some input here. I’m sending my Kindergarten son to a elementary school with academic high scores and outstanding teachers, it’s a public school, out of home boundary school. The elementary school that’s right next to us has a very low academic score of close to 60, BUT they are offering a dual language immerse program, meaning, they have 2 teachers in the class, in the morning the regular teacher teaches all subjects in English and in the afternoon, there’s a bilingual teacher teaching Chinese for instance, for all subject matters. What’s important to you? The rep and score of the school or having this dual language immerse program offered at an average school that’s walking distance to you? thanks in Advance!

IMO, the first.

I really like the concept of a dual language program and that is a great age to introduce a 2nd language, but the school still has low scores, so regardless of the language, there are still concerns with its overall academic program. And unless your child will be speaking the 2nd language at home, not sure how effective the program would be. Just like taking a language in high school, to truly become fluent, it is more practical to be immersed in the language (spoken at home; live in the country, etc).

I just have concerns about sending children to schools with low scores...doesn't mean "your" child will not succeed and do well, but the overall environment of the school has issues...

[maciesmom]

I'd definitely go with the academics first. While exposure to dual languages is a wonderful thing, not at the expense of a strong academic foundation.

[PixiStix]

#1- no question... high academics & outstanding teachers win every time. I'd drive a little farther for that anyday (& do!)

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by hueimo

Hi, I need some input here. I’m sending my Kindergarten son to a elementary school with academic high scores and outstanding teachers, it’s a public school, out of home boundary school. The elementary school that’s right next to us has a very low academic score of close to 60, BUT they are offering a dual language immerse program, meaning, they have 2 teachers in the class, in the morning the regular teacher teaches all subjects in English and in the afternoon, there’s a bilingual teacher teaching Chinese for instance, for all subject matters. What’s important to you? The rep and score of the school or having this dual language immerse program offered at an average school that’s walking distance to you? thanks in Advance!

I would take the school with less snobs; that would be my first consideration. I like schools that have a diversity of people, discipline, and parents and teachers working together. Test scores are not the be all end all. Yes, I would want my child to learn Chinese - why not. Also, it's within walking distance? I would pick the dual-immersion school.

As far as the "low academic score" - I think it is important to know the reason why this is so.

[hypocore]

Unless you plan to continue with that same language as a major focus for the rest of their educational career, being immersed in elementary school and then nothing will likely leave them with very little retention of that language. It has to be used consistently in order to retain it. That's not worth the short term, in my opinion.

[tomahawk72]

I'd pick #1 if you can't find a place that is 1 & 2.

My kids are in a good school that just so happens to offer FLI with Spanish.
My son just started kindergarten in FLI and my daughter is in 2nd. It's amazing how much they learn.
She will occasionally watch some of her DVDs set to the Spanish audio track!

[hueimo]

I'm giving some more info here, I speak chinese to my son at home, so I thought I might as well send him to a high academic scored school, since I can speak to him in Chinese at home, the only problem is, I think he would pick up more academic terms in Chinese at this dual immerse program. any thoughts? thanks for everyone's input!

[lisdol]

In that case, #1. He is being "immersed" in Chinese at home with you, isn't he? At kindergarten age, I would not worry about the academic terms that he would miss. I assume Chinese is your first or second language and that is why you speak it with him?