Community-Based Heritage Language Schools (CBHL)
Languages:
Bulgarian
Independent non-profit school
Bulgarian School of Seattle, WA
Bellevue, 0 98007
Bulgarian School of Seattle, WA Institute Background
For a decade, the Bulgarian School of Seattle has been providing PreK-12 Bulgarian Language Education to heritage language learners. The school empowers K-12 students to achieve language proficiency excellence. Responsive to students' particular needs and goals, the school programs offer instruction from novice to advanced level on the A.C.T.F.L Proficiency Scale. This takes approximately 8 years of heritage language study for most students. Learners who successfully complete their education at the school receive the following benefits: access to high school and college credits, cultural appreciation, and competitive advantage in the global economy.
In addition to the State Seal, students have opportunities to earn the Global Seal of Biliteracy. In 2022, the school witnessed increased interest and a 50% increase in the number of students holding the Global and State Seals for bilingualism. Extremely high results in proficiency in Bulgarian were reported by ALTA proficiency testing, showing average score ILR 3+ according to the federal framework, which is identical to high advanced level according to the academic language framework of ACTFL.
In addition, the Bulgarian School of Seattle offers Intensive Bulgarian Language Courses & Adult’s Custom Programs. The Intensive Program helps learners from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds to improve specific language skills for business, education or travel. Depending on learners' needs and preferred learning style, the instructors in this particular program choose the method that is right for students – an immersion program, fun lessons or a more formal approach. Learners can choose between group classes or private lessons.
- Access
- Excellence
Improve Access for all learners in more languages
Percentage of types Students
Heritage Language Learners 95%
Multilingual Learners 3%
Learners who speak a language that is linguistically related to the target language 1%
Learners who speak a language that is culturally (but not linguistically) related to the target language 1%
Types of language learners are enrolled
- Heritage language learners (second generation or more)
- Recent immigrants
- English Language Learners
Programs available in your school
- Continuous program from grades Pre-K to 12 (novice to advanced)
Main reasons students attend your school
- To connect with their heritage in a meaningful way
- To gain literacy in the language, in addition to oral communication skills
- To communicate with relatives in the home country
- To communicate with relatives or others in the language community in the U.S.
- To learn and use a language that is not offered in high school
- To attend university in the home country
- To earn credits for high school or university studies in the U.S.
- To gain bilingual proficiency for future professional use
How does your school strive to provide incentives for students to enroll in the language programs?
- Community and/or parent outreach
- Credit transfer to K-12 schools
- Community functions (e.g. culture events, clubs, etc.)
- Business partnerships (hiring, discounts, etc?)
Percent of the students attend your school remotely
Students who live in same area...........70 %
Students who live in different area...........30%
Types of instructional formats your school offer
- Online synchronous
What are the main sources of financial support for your school
- Tuition
- Home/heritage country
- Private donations from individuals
Does your school offer financial assistance to students?
No
How important is the impact of the financial assistance on student enrollment at your school
5
Which of these common competing commitments faced by the learners most negatively impact student enrollment and/or attendance
Name
After-school activities in the mainstream schoo
Homework and other academic pursuits
Extra-curricular activities (sports, music, hobbies)
Religious obligations
Family obligations
Work
Field name
Attendance
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Enrollment
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Does your school provide information to parents and other stakeholders about essential school information?
Yes
Does your school communicate with the community at large about events and other information?
Yes
Please describe any educational and cultural activities, seasonal events, as well as other programs and opportunities that your school makes available to the community at large.
Annual Children's festival. Official Holidays Celebrations.
List the percentage of students by age group
PreK-K students %
Elementary school students 50 %
Middle school students (grades 6-8) 30 %
High school students (grades 9-12) 19 %
Adults 1 %
Excellence through transparency and accountability
Curriculum and instruction
- Curriculum and instruction that build on the linguistic skills and cultural knowledge that learners bring to the classroom
Outcomes
- A focus on measuring and supporting learning through the strategic use of data on learner performance (including but not limited to standardized U.S. tests and tests from the homeland)
Professional Development
- Recruitment of skilled educators and other personnel
- Provision of ongoing professional development for educators and other personnel
- Regular faculty meetings and opportunities to work in professional clusters
- Peer mentorship among the instructors
- Facilitation of and support for participation in specialty courses offered by universities, homeland consultants, HL experts, etc., if available
- Facilitation of and support for attendance at professional conferences in the U.S. and/or in the HL country or internationally
Vision, Strategic Planning, and Priorities
- A publicized vision statement and strategic plan to assemble the human, institutional, and financial resources of the school that support the goals of the school
Transparency, Accountability, and Outreach
- Professional and consistent engagement with the HL community and the larger community to recruit students and teachers and motivate parents and stakeholders to support and advance the aims of the CBHLS
Institution Information
Year School was Established
2011
Languages taught at your school
Bulgarian
Average Number of Students
150
Average Number of Teachers
4
Saturday or Sunday Classes
Number of weeks per year: 8
Number of hours per week: 33