Tell me about Chinese Immersion in MCPS

[Anonymous]

DC is currently in 2nd grade at Washington Yu Ying Charter School, and would likely pass a test to enter programs at either College Gardens or Potomoc ES, also curious about the program at Hoover MS.

Do we have to live in boundary? Hard to test in for the upper grades? Are the children achieving fluency in Chinese?

Should add considering a move to MCPS for easier work commutes, given that we work in MD, not DC.

TIA

[Anonymous]

The MCPS website has a section on all the programs. I believe Potomac Chinese immersion is only for kids slated to that school and opened up to others if there are slots remaining. College Garden IB is only open to in boundary but I think the Chinese immersion is open lottery basis for anyone in county.

[Anonymous]

Google Potomac Elementary. There was a long article about it in the Washington Post a while back where many parents were interviewed regarding the quality of the program.

It used to be open to the entire district via lottery, but residents fought to change that and I believe it is now open only to in-boundary students. MoCo added another Chinese Immersion school in Rockville to compensate. That one is open to district (not sure if it is College Garden the PP mentioned).

[Anonymous]

I have heard (but no direct experience) that within the programs, there are many Chinese-speaking families who already speak Chinese, but may not have literacy skills. Also, there are some students whose families are actually from China and will be in the US for only a couple of years, and try to get their children into Chinese immersion so that they will not lose content area knowledge.

I do not know how many of these students are actually in the programs, though, in comparison to children learning Chinese as a second language.

[Anonymous]

My children were in from K through high school (so far). We are not Chinese and don't speak it in the home. No, they aren't fluent. Unless you speak Chinese at home (meaning most likely that you or your parents are native speakers) you will NOT be able to test in after 6th grade. Regular attrition and dissatisfaction with the program and difficulty cause many to drop out by high school. They are replaced by native speakers. We have had a tutor since 2nd grade. Can't imagine doing high school level without one. That said, don't know any other way for my DC to get the language. And it was important to me.

[Anonymous]

I seem to remember reading an article about how only a very small percentage of MCPS chinese immersion kids were involved with Chinese at the high school level. In our immersion school by 4th grade the classes are already small enough to be a 4th/5th combined. I also know they have trouble finding/keeping teachers.but I also know families are happy with the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The MCPS website has a section on all the programs. I believe Potomac Chinese immersion is only for kids slated to that school and opened up to others if there are slots remaining. College Garden IB is only open to in boundary but I think the Chinese immersion is open lottery basis for anyone in county.

Here is the link - the deadline to apply is April 8 this year. You have to be a current county resident and must be enrolled or pre-enrolled in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and must have an MCPS ID number
http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/admissions/immersion.aspx

[Anonymous]

It is an entitlement program that does not teach language fluency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is an entitlement program that does not teach language fluency.

What do you mean by entitlement program? Non-native speakers with kids in the program would much rather have kids be fluent. Since it is only partial immersion, it will never happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an entitlement program that does not teach language fluency.

What do you mean by entitlement program? Non-native speakers with kids in the program would much rather have kids be fluent. Since it is only partial immersion, it will never happen.

It is a program for a particular school (Potomac) and many parents choose the program not for the language benefits but for the other perceived benefits. Smaller classes, consistent teachers, small community within a larger school. Academically it offers no advantages and has proven to be a failure. Yet the entitled parents at PES refuse tol et it go because they feel entitled to the other aforementioned benefits.

[Anonymous]

Are all kids at Potomic elementary automatically enrolled in the Chinese immersion program?

There seem to be three Chinese elementary school programs in the area - Yu Ying, Rockville, and Potomic. Any comments on which is best?

[Anonymous]

Yung Ying is a DCPS so not an option for MCPS kids. Not all children at Potomac are in Chinese immersion..they just have preference for the available spots. At College Gardens it is a typical magnet open to all MCPS students with no preference given to the home kids. For middle school College Gardens children must go to Hoover (with no transportation provided) if they wish to continue in the immersion program. I can't speak to the quality of the programs.

[Anonymous]

You guys realize that Chinese is not a language...just saying....

Are you referring to Mandarin or Cantonese maybe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You guys realize that Chinese is not a language...just saying....

Are you referring to Mandarin or Cantonese maybe?

Any schools have Mexican immersion?

[Anonymous]

My understanding is that kids that get into the Chinese Immersion at College Gardens also get the IB program offered to all the kids at that school. Not exactly sure how that works, but sounds like it's more than just the language advantage.