[Article] Bilingual school gets more seats

Bilingual school gets more seats
Spanish-only curriculum is in high demand

By Jaime Sarrio • THE TENNESSEAN • November 9, 2008

from http://www.tennessean.com/article/20081109/NEWS04/811090411/-1/RSS05

More students will have a shot next year at going to one of Metro Nashville's most in-demand public schools, where a bilingual education is the main attraction.

In fall 2009, Glendale Elementary School will tweak enrollment rules so that more spots will be open in the school's popular immersion program, which teaches math and science courses completely in Spanish.


The program is the only one of its kind in the state and is in high demand by parents who want their children to have a more global view of the world, said Nicole Rodriguez, who teaches fourth grade at Glendale.

"It's an opportunity you can't get anywhere else, and they see the value of appreciating all cultures, but especially Spanish because it is so widespread," she said.

Rodriguez is originally from Minnesota but taught in Spain and Puerto Rico before landing in Nashville. Like most of the teachers at Glendale, she is fluent in Spanish and tries to work her knowledge of foreign countries into lessons throughout the day.

About 300 of the school's 400 students are enrolled in the immersion program, according to Principal Sue Clark. After this school year, students will not be able to opt out and choose an all-English track, which will create more spots for prospective students.

In short, Glendale will be Metro's Spanish-language magnet school.

Every year, there's a waiting list of 100 for every grade level, and because of high demand, the school hasn't admitted anyone out of zone in three years, Clark said.

Currently, parents zoned to attend Glendale can't choose to attend another Metro elementary school unless they file a transfer and can provide transportation.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20081109/NEWS04/811090411/-1/RSS05
Under the new plan, students formally zoned to Glendale will be rerouted to Julia Green or Percy Priest elementaries. They still have first priority if they want to attend Glendale, but they have to apply through the magnet lottery, which closes Dec. 5. Seats that don't fill up with students from the Glendale zone will be available for students in the Hillsboro cluster and then the entire city.

The school admits students in kindergarten and first grade only, because the program is too advanced by second grade, Clark said. After grade four, students can continue with the immersion curriculum at J.T. Moore Middle School.

Districts across the country offer immersion schools in languages such as Spanish, French and German.

Culture, art promoted
Glendale opened five years ago based on a model of immersion schools used in Arlington, Va. It was one of the ideas brought to Nashville by former schools chief Pedro Garcia, who quit in January.

The school building, in the city of Oak Hill, was originally built in 1951 and served as a middle school until it was remodeled and converted into Glendale Elementary.

Inside, the school oozes culture and art. Works inspired by Frida Kahlo and other famous painters hang on the walls; dolls in different shapes, sizes and dress decorate bookshelves.

Clark had a big role in crafting the school's vibe and building the tight-knit community. She doesn't claim to be a language expert, but that doesn't stop her from greeting students in the hallway with a warm "buenas tardes" in her buttery Southern accent.

The idea is that the students will learn through conversation and will have a solid grasp of the language to build on by the time they leave Glendale.

"Nashville is becoming a global city, and we have many international people here that want their children to have a global education," she said. "Lots of parents that come through the school are pregnant. They're already looking."

The school has a large gifted program, and 90 percent of students in 2007 passed state tests in math and language arts.

But Clark acknowledges the format is costly. The school buys an extra set of textbooks in Spanish, which costs $50 to $60 each. The school has a supportive Parent Teacher Organization that helps offset the cost.

Allison Henry has a son in kindergarten and a daughter in third grade.

Her father is from Cuba but she never learned Spanish. Now she is happy her children are getting the chance.

"I am so proud of Metro for having an opportunity for us," she said. "I believe we're in a time when we should be welcoming all. After all, this is America."

Contact Jaime Sarrio at 615-726-5964 or jsarrio@tennessean.com.