SCES French Immersion

[Anonymous]

Not sure if the subs in English classes are doing so much more …

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The purpose of these immersion schools is to teach the immersion language to students who DON’T already know it. There is absolutely no preference for kids who already speak it.

Except for post 2nd grade -- they fill slots from a lottery but you have to test in. So those are going to be already French speakers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: The purpose of these immersion schools is to teach the immersion language to students who DON’T already know it. There is absolutely no preference for kids who already speak it.

This statement is discriminatory. It implies that the programs exclude native speakers (which is not true). In fact native speakers benefit the most because it helps them maintain their heritage language and strengthen connections to their community of origin, which is NOT as easy as many people seem to think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: The purpose of these immersion schools is to teach the immersion language to students who DON’T already know it. There is absolutely no preference for kids who already speak it.

This statement is discriminatory. It implies that the programs exclude native speakers (which is not true). In fact native speakers benefit the most because it helps them maintain their heritage language and strengthen connections to their community of origin, which is NOT as easy as many people seem to think.

My kid is a native speaker in immersion there (it's my native language) and I'm just thrilled with his progress and mastery of French. I've always spoken French to him, but now he reads, he writes...his grammar is great...it's like he's going to the neighborhood school in France, but here. His teacher says that his fluency benefits his classmates too, because he brings others up with him.

Finally, the purpose of immersion is to benefit anyone who is interested. I feel so lucky that he has this opportunity. It would be a lot harder to get my child to this level of fluency without it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, it’s a pure lottery

This isn't true. Read the fine print. Mcps writes a very vague but clear message that it is NOT a pure lottery.

They consider zip, FARMS, parent at home speak/heritage, gender, siblings of course and other things that aren't revealed.

They certainly admit to considering zip (some schools, anyway), socioeconomic status, and siblings, but what makes you think they consider household language or gender?

Legally speaking, I don't believe they can consider gender.

In my DC's grade years ago there were fourteen boys and 38 girls. It was terrible for the boys. (I think the teachers loved it.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: The purpose of these immersion schools is to teach the immersion language to students who DON’T already know it. There is absolutely no preference for kids who already speak it.

This statement is discriminatory. It implies that the programs exclude native speakers (which is not true). In fact native speakers benefit the most because it helps them maintain their heritage language and strengthen connections to their community of origin, which is NOT as easy as many people seem to think.

My kid is a native speaker in immersion there (it's my native language) and I'm just thrilled with his progress and mastery of French. I've always spoken French to him, but now he reads, he writes...his grammar is great...it's like he's going to the neighborhood school in France, but here. His teacher says that his fluency benefits his classmates too, because he brings others up with him.

Finally, the purpose of immersion is to benefit anyone who is interested. I feel so lucky that he has this opportunity. It would be a lot harder to get my child to this level of fluency without it.

My child did not get in for Kindergarten and I’m bummed about it but I certainly don’t begrudge the native speakers being there! It makes sense that they are needed to help facilitate a true immersive environment.

Mayyyyybe we’ll get lucky with first grade 🤞🤞

[Anonymous]

Curious whether anyone can share recent experience getting siblings admitted to the English program at SCES if the older child is in French? Wondering for the future since DC got into French. I know there are no guarantees and it can be school for school, case by case. Wondering what people can share.

[Anonymous]

I can't speak to the question about siblings, but as this thread has been revived I thought I'd ask whether anyone could share info on what happens after acceptance into the program. Is there any orientation? Or even information sent to incoming families before August?

[Anonymous]

Defiantly join whatever Facebook group and try to connect with other families. I don’t recall anything different for immersion families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, it’s a pure lottery

This isn't true. Read the fine print. Mcps writes a very vague but clear message that it is NOT a pure lottery.

They consider zip, FARMS, parent at home speak/heritage, gender, siblings of course and other things that aren't revealed.

+1. There is no such thing as a "pure lottery" in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious whether anyone can share recent experience getting siblings admitted to the English program at SCES if the older child is in French? Wondering for the future since DC got into French. I know there are no guarantees and it can be school for school, case by case. Wondering what people can share.

Welcome! Parent of a rising 3rd grade FI kid here. Yes, there will be something in August, probably a play date at the playground, along with a quick meet the teachers. Join the PTA and the PTA list serve. Someone will probably set up a slack channel for your cohort.

[Anonymous]

Maybe with the decision to increase class sizes there will be +1 spot….

[Anonymous]

Will immersion classes increase size too? They are already pretty big to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will immersion classes increase size too? They are already pretty big to begin with.

Well, they are larger than average in early elementary, but smaller than average in upper elementary.

To the OP, SCES French Immersion is an absolute gem within MCPS. It offers something very few other schools offer, which is consistency year-to-year in terms of teachers. MCPS is so transient in general, but the FI teachers want to teach in French, so you have some stability if you have older and younger kids, which makes it feel more like a real community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another voice saying: random. We live in the zone for the school. Waitlist #30. Fortunately it was for K in 2020-2021–so they made it to us on that list.

Every time I think about it, I am reminded how absurd it is that such an incredible educational opportunity is distributed via a lotto instead of being universally available.

Agree. I try not to think about the absurdity as it is bit infuriating. Also live in the zone and neither of my kids got a spot in the lottery.