Post Oak Academy International Baccalaureate Chinese Immersion

Chinese Club (Post Oak Academy)

Chinese Literacy (Post Oak Academy)

Chinese Tea Party (Post Oak Academy)

Go Math Learning Stations (Post Oak Academy)

Learner Profile Attribute: Caring (Post Oak Academy)

Learner Profile Attribute: Knowledgeable (Post Oak Academy)

Learner Profile Attribute: Thinker (Post Oak Academy)

Learner Profile Attribute: Communicator (Post Oak Academy)

Literacy (Post Oak Academy)

Collaboration (Post Oak Academy)

Guided Practice (Post Oak Academy)

Post Oak (Post Oak Academy)

Scholar Visit (Post Oak Academy)

World New Year Celebration (Post Oak Academy)

Chicago Field Trip (Post Oak Academy)

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Post Oak Academy International Baccalaureate Chinese Immersion

A PreK–6 International Baccalaureate Chinese Immersion public school in Lansing, Michigan. Supported by a unique array of community partners, the school delivers extraordinary learning outcomes for all students.
lansingschools.net/schools/academies/post-oak/

Program Description

Established in 2006, Post Oak Academy International Baccalaureate (IB) Chinese Immersion helps mid-Michigan students grow into active bilingual and bicultural global citizens. What makes the program extraordinary is the skillful way in which partners from across the community—and around the globe—have added their knowledge and resources to build lasting success for local learners.

Initial funding for the Chinese immersion program was awarded to the Lansing School District in 2006, through a competitive federal grant. That year, the Lansing School District formed an essential partnership with Michigan State University’s Confucius Institute and enrolled its first student cohort as preschoolers.

It was the first partnership of many. Post Oak now works hand-in-hand with artists, educators, linguists, interns, and university researchers to ensure program excellence for students. Best of all, the entire Lansing community added its support to a local bond initiative that is currently working to add and improve student learning spaces at Post Oak.

Educational achievement at Post Oak is consistently high. On the spring 2018 statewide assessment, Post Oak students in grades 3–5 outperformed their peers at the district and state levels in English language arts and mathematics, while 6th grade students outperformed their peers at the district level in those subjects.

Best of all, demand for the growing program remains strong, with more than 325 students currently enrolled at Post Oak. These students are supported by 16 classroom teachers, four program support specialists, and two teacher assistants. The Lansing School District has permanently hired two Mandarin-speaking teachers and continues to partner with the Confucius Institute to maintain the employment of native Mandarin-speaking instructors in all grade levels.

Program Features

Each Post Oak student has two teachers—one native Mandarin-speaking teacher and one English-speaking teacher. Half of the day’s instruction takes place in each language, with all subjects being taught in both sections. At the same time, students are steeped in the IB transdisciplinary units of inquiry, which are taught across the immersion team. All students in grades K–6 participate in technology education and the arts.

Post Oak also holds a number of special events and opportunities for students to become engaged in Mandarin language and culture outside of class. From Chinese/global awareness clubs and summer camps to community action projects, performances, and celebrations, each Post Oak student becomes more deeply rooted as a citizen of the world.

That citizenship will be given a more meaningful opportunity to blossom in the spring of 2020, when Post Oak students will have an authentic opportunity to travel to China.