By Misa Murohashi The North American
Seattle Public School (SPS) currently has two elementary schools, John Stanford International School and McDonald International Elementary, offering Dual Language Immersion programs teaching half-days in Japanese. If enrolled in one of these schools, students can begin this extraordinary immersion academic journey for grades K-12. Hamilton International Middle School and Lincoln High School offer continuing Japanese immersion programs until graduation.
Students don’t have to begin SPS dual-language immersion programs in kindergarten. With appropriate language proficiency, students may be able to join a pathway in upper elementary grades, or even at the middle or high school levels.
For Seattle residents, the Seattle Public Schools Option School application for academic year 2022-2023 is open from February 1 to February 28. Students living outside Seattle city limits may apply from as early as June 1 but no later than August 31.
For more information, visit individual school websites or contact listed principals. You may also contact the school’s PTA and ask to speak with a parent who speaks Japanese.
John Stanford International School
4057 5th Ave NE, Seattle 98105
stanfordes.seattleschools.org
Contact: 206-252-6080; Sarah Jones, sajones1@seattleschools.org
McDonald International Elementary
144 NE 54th St, Seattle 98105
mcdonaldes.seattleschools.org
Contact: 206-252-2900; Zoe Facilla, zvfacilla@seattleschools.org
