Introduction

On January 28, 2025, the Bellevue School District released a video detailing the Korean Bilingual Program at Newport Heights Elementary. In the video, viewers are introduced to a vibrant learning environment where students engage in both Korean and English throughout their school day. The program is designed to immerse students in Korean language, culture, traditions, and history while they study core subjects such as math, science, social studies, and language arts in English.

A unique aspect about the bilingual program is its inclusivity; it welcomes students of all backgrounds, not just those of Korean heritage. For Korean American kids, it’s more than just speaking the language, it’s finally seeing their identity reflected in the classroom. Kids who aren’t Korean grow up surrounded by a culture that’s not their own, and instead of feeling foreign or weird, it becomes familiar.

As the program continues to grow, additional grade levels are being added each year, and families both within and outside the Bellevue School District are encouraged to apply, regardless of their child's current language proficiency. The application can be found here.

Significance

The Bilingual Program is especially significant because it is the first of its kind in Washington to offer a Korean curriculum in a public school setting. This pioneering program immerses students in Korean culture, traditions, and history, and sets a standard for further Korean curriculums.

If interested, further information about the program can be found here.

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