by Kelley Gardiner
Photograph courtesy of Ron Miller
Feel like expanding your children’s horizons? Exposing kids to different languages is said to prepare them for all kinds of subjects later on in life. It’s easier for children to acquire language when they’re young, so get them started early. These bilingual private schools in Portland teach Spanish alongside English, so your little one gets instruction in Spanish language with a side of empathy and appreciation for other cultures.
APRENDE CON AMIGOS
Children from 3-5 years (who are potty trained, please) can take part of this immersive experience. Estudiantes rotate through clusters of music and art, math and science, and language arts and social studies, all of which are taught in Spanish and English. Every day also includes outdoor play time at Patton Square City Park, just next door. This school where students learn with friends is “designed to enhance your child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and gross motor skills while supporting their learning of a second language in a fun and nurturing environment.” Half and full-day programs are available.
5206 N Interstate Avenue • 503-740-0304
www.aprendeconamigos.com
EDUPLIN SPANISH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
This Christian Spanish immersion program serves students two to five years old, and features instructors whose first language is Spanish. A one-acre private fenced wooded area gives your niños plenty of room to roam and explore. Preschool students attend two, three, or four mornings, and kindergarteners attend five mornings a week. Parents especially note the tender care and attention to emotional health their children receive alongside their education. Not ready quite ready to send the little ones off by themselves? Spanish “Mommy and Me” classes are also offered one day a week for moms of babies and toddlers.
9920 NW Cornell Road • 503-291-9182
www.eduplinscs.org
ESCUELA VIVA
Infants through preschoolers (six months to five years) can benefit from the bilingual education at Escuela Viva, whether Spanish or or English is their first language. Parents appreciate the supportive and compassionate environment that teachers model for the students. Rather than immersion, teachers use a slow and steady approach to adding new language concepts and vocabulary into everyday activities such as songs and dances. There’s never any pressure to learn; just support for children as partners in learning.
1111 SE Pine Street • 503-282-2091
escuela-viva.com
FRENCH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Those who enter French American International School with a high level of Spanish (or French, German, or Mandarin) can continue those studies through three years at Gilkey Middle School. Students take some of their classes with a cohort who works in the same language, and other classes in English with students from other tracks. No matter the language, all students participate in community service projects and overnight field trips. Eighth graders enjoy two-week overseas trips.
8500 NW Johnson Street • 503-292-7776
faispdx.org
MONTESSORI OF ALAMEDA
Montessori of Alameda offers preschool and kindergarten, as well as a Montessori education for infants starting at three months of age. All classrooms are bilingual. As with most Montessori programs, days are structured carefully. Children are encouraged to learn and practice age- appropriate independence, all of which is designed to lead to self-confidence, motivation, and self-discipline. Kids are encouraged to learn through hands-on experience and problem-solving. Vegan and nut-free snacks are served here for full-day students, and parents pack lunches for their little ones.
4210 NE Going Street • 503-335-3321
montessoriofalameda.com
NORTHWEST ACADEMY
Students who have come from language immersion backgrounds are welcome at the Northwest Academy’s high school program. All students are required to study World Languages, with Spanish, French, and Mandarin available. If your son or daughter is lucky enough to be fluent in one of these languages, they’ll enter at the Fluent level, which “emphasizes immersion in the target language” and allows students plenty of practice en español with their classmates.
1130 SW Main Street • 503-223-3367
nwacademy.org
SCHOOLITA ALEGRIA
This small and close-knit preschool and kindergarten accepts ages 3-5. Due to its low capacity, enrollment for fall starts in January. Half-day (morning) or full-day (until 3 p.m.) care is offered. Each morning starts with 40 minutes of pure Español, and the remainder of the day is taken up by important pursuits like storytelling, outdoor play, and creative time. Influenced by Montessori, with Waldorf and Reggio Emilia elements, this school offers an intimate experience tailored to your child’s cohort. Potential parents can take a tour to check out the facilities and classes in action. If you’re interested, get your application in early.
1814 NE 33rd Avenue • 503-288-5574
schoolita-alegria.com
THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Unlike the other schools on our list, programming at The International School goes all the way up to fifth grade. This school offers “true immersion” in a number of languages, including Spanish. That means as soon as students walk in, they’ll hear native speakers of Spanish using their own language. Students are immersed in Spanish for at least 80% of the time in preschool and kindergarten, and 65% of the time in upper grades,as they take language arts, math, social studies and science all in their chosen language. Of course, there’s a strong English language program as well to prepare students for any course of study in the future. Fifth grade classes take a trip to study Spanish in Mexico. Don’t worry about homework help if you don’t speak the language—kids here are taught the skills to “become resourceful and independent learners.”
025 SW Sherman Street • 503-226-2496
intlschool.org
Kelley Gardiner is a Portland native, a freelance writer and blogger, and the mother of one sweet toddler. To see what she’s up to, visit kelleygardiner.com
