The Forest Hills Mandarin Chinese Immersion program begins at Meadow Brook Elementary School. No prior language experience is needed. Students thrive in Chinese Immersion no matter their language or cultural background.

Kindergarten through 4th-grade Chinese Immersion students receive 136 minutes of Mandarin instruction time each day, with 50 percent of their studies in English and 50 percents of their studies in Mandarin.

In addition to Chinese language arts (reading and writing), students learn math and science in their immersion classroom. Social studies and English language arts are taught in English.

Some special classes (music, art and physical education) are taught in English. All students at Meadow Brook, both Chinese Immersion and Neighborhood students, also take culture to learn more about our world and its diverse cultures.

Dawn Heerema is Meadow Brook’s principal.

CHI-PAC Support

During the 2023-2024 school year, CHI-PAC facilitated a 7-week student-led mentorship program in which Northern High School students mentored 28 students from Meadow Brook Elementary and Northern Trails 5/6 School weekly via Zoom. The sessions provided younger students an opportunity to practice their Mandarin Chinese language skills and get to know high school role models further along in their language-learning journey.

Other CHI-PAC activities at the elementary level include:

• Picnic to welcome kindergarten and 1st-grade families to the Chinese Immersion program
• Ada Holiday Parade to promote the program
• Outreach and tours to support enrollment
• Helping with Lunar New Year celebration events