Community-Based Heritage Language Schools (CBHL)
Languages:
Lithuanian
Independent non-profit school
San Diego Bernardas Brazdzionis Lithuanian School
La Mesa, California 91942
Learning Lithuanian Language and Culture Institute Background
From children to adults, from beginners to fluent speakers, everyone is welcome to learn with us.
- Access
- Excellence
Improve Access for all learners in more languages
Percentage of types Students
Heritage Language Learners 100%
Multilingual Learners 100%
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
- African Americans
- People of Color
- Heritage language learners (second generation or more)
- Recent immigrants
Programs available in your school
- Classes with age-appropriate instruction for different age groups
What additional activities do you implement at your school to attract and maintain enrollment of students in different groups
Cultural, literary, social, musical events attract people. Also, social media presence.
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 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
- Community functions (e.g. culture events, clubs, etc.)
Different types of classes meet the needs of students
Being a small school, we do our best to teach within age-groups and within language competency groups.
Types of instructional formats your school offer
- In-person
What are the main sources of financial support for your school
- Tuition
- Other grants
- Private donations from individuals
Does your school offer financial assistance to students?
Yes
How important is the impact of the financial assistance on student enrollment at your school
3
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
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Enrollment
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Does your school provide information to parents and other stakeholders about essential school information?
Yes
What are the most effective communications methods with parents and stakeholders?
Email and Facebook
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.
We host Easter activities, literary and music events, Christmas Eve celebrations and others.
List the percentage of students by age group
PreK-K students 10%
Kindergarten students 10 %
Middle school students (grades 6-8) 40 %
Adults 40 %
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
- Peer mentorship among the instructors
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
1998
Languages taught at your school
Lithuanian
Average Number of Students
20
Average Number of Teachers
3
Saturday or Sunday Classes
Number of weeks per year: 2
Number of hours per week: 35