Our Program: Academics
Foreign language immersion is an approach to teaching another language that involves
immersing students in the second language throughout the school day. HCCS teachers use
only Chinese to teach selected subjects, utilizing a wide range of instructional techniques that strengthen learning.

HCCS uses a proven immersion model which adjusts to children's language needs as they advance through the elementary school years. During the lower grades (K‐2), the majority of subjects are taught in Chinese. This provides students with a solid foundation in Chinese language, including verbal, reading and writing skills. Instruction in English increases in the upper elementary grades (3‐5) and becomes the majority language in middle school grades (6-8). Our immersion model enables students to develop dual fluency and literacy in both languages.

Research shows that children in language immersion programs reach higher levels of language proficiency than do those in other types of world language programs, while also demonstrating increased English vocabulary and overall enhanced cognitive development. Studies demonstrate that students in early immersion programs perform as well as, or better on English achievement tests than peers who were taught in English only. Immersion students also score as well as or better than their English-speaking peers in other subject areas, even when tests are administered in English for subjects they were taught in the second language.

Curriculum
Our curriculum is aligned with Oregon Curriculum Frameworks (OCF) standards for all subjects taught in public schools, including English language arts, health, mathematics, world languages, social studies, fine arts, science and technology. In addition, students receive instruction in Chinese language arts and culture studies. Our curriculum addresses the learner outcomes for all Oregon students at a given grade level. Instructional strategies and resources will be compatible with best practices in immersion education. As a Beaverton School District public charter school, HCCS curriculum aligns with the District's Goal (2010-2015): "All students will show continuous progress toward their personal learning goals, developed in collaboration with teachers and parents, and will be prepared for post-secondary education and career success."

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