Community-Based Heritage Language Schools (CBHL)
Languages:
Lithuanian
Independent non-profit school
Gediminas Lithuanian Cultural School
Mundelein, Illinois 60060
Gediminas Lithuanian Cultural School Institute Background
Gediminas Lithuanian School (GLS) works to foster young American Lithuanians’ (immigrants or children of immigrants) love for the Lithuanian language, traditions and culture, to encourage their love for Lithuania, to develop their creativity, and to provide students with multiple ways of learning through educational and enrichment experiences and opportunities. GLS provides students with an opportunity to learn and maintain the Lithuanian language and culture through play, art, songs, grammar, celebration of traditions, friendships with local community members, travel and participation in Lithuanian festivals, sports championships, and camps. GLS provides parents with networking opportunities. GLS works to preserve Lithuanian as it is often said to be the most conservative living Indo-European language.
- Access
- Excellence
Improve Access for all learners in more languages
Percentage of types Students
Heritage Language Learners 100%
Multilingual Learners %
Learners who speak a language that is linguistically related to the target language %
Learners who speak a language that is culturally (but not linguistically) related to the target language %
Types of language learners are enrolled
- Heritage language learners (second generation or more)
- Recent immigrants
Programs available in your school
- Continuous program from grades Pre-K to 12 (novice to advanced)
How do the programs identified above meet the needs of learners of different ages in your school
By language aptitude
What additional activities do you implement at your school to attract and maintain enrollment of students in different groups
Gediminas school has Lithuanian folk dance group with kids all ages
Main reasons students attend your school
- To connect with their heritage in a meaningful way
- To communicate with relatives in the home country
- To gain bilingual proficiency for future professional use
Do you offer different pathways of study and engagement to align with the interests and goals of the learners in your school?
Yes, we do
How does your school strive to provide incentives for students to enroll in the language programs?
- Community and/or parent outreach
- Community functions (e.g. culture events, clubs, etc.)
Percent of the students attend your school remotely
Students who live in same area...........0 %
Students who live in different area...........0%
Different types of classes meet the needs of students
We do not have different type of classes
Types of instructional formats your school offer
- In-person
What are the main sources of financial support for your school
- Tuition
- Home/heritage country
- Other grants
- Private donations from individuals
- Private donations from businesses
Does your school offer financial assistance to students?
No
How important is the impact of the financial assistance on student enrollment at your school
2
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
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
Enrollment
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
How has your school been able to accommodate your students’ competing commitments so that they can attend your school?
The students get extra homework.
How has your school been able to accommodate your students’ competing commitments so that they can attend your school?
The students get extra homework.
Does your school provide information to parents and other stakeholders about essential school information?
No
What are the most effective communications methods with parents and stakeholders?
Parent's meetings, e-mail
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.
Lithuanian Independence Day celebration, Lithuanian dance festival, Christmas and Easter celebration with Lithuanian Tradicion, Summer festival
How do these activities create linkages to your community of students, teachers, stakeholders?
It is a big impression for students to love their families and Lithuanian heritage, to motivate them to make an effort to learn about it and preserve it, to learn Lithuanian.
List the percentage of students by age group
PreK-K students 20%
Kindergarten students 30 %
Elementary school students 30 %
Middle school students (grades 6-8) 20 %
Excellence through transparency and accountability
Outcomes
- The opportunity for students outside the formal education system to earn Seals of Biliteracy or other recognition of bilingual and biliteracy ability
Institution Information
Year School was Established
2002
Languages taught at your school
Lithuanian
Average Number of Students
30
Average Number of Teachers
8
Saturday or Sunday Classes
Number of weeks per year: 4
Number of hours per week: 32