First Mandarin Immersion Public Charter School Opening in East Bay

Yu Ming Charter School, the East Bay’s first Mandarin immersion public charter school, is now holding information sessions and accepting applications for fall 2011 enrollment of kindergartners and first graders.

Located in Alameda County and open to all California residents, Yu Ming fills a huge unmet need and interest for Chinese language instruction in the greater Bay Area. The school will provide a rigorous, comprehensive, and college-preparatory education and teach students from kindergarten to 8th grade to be fully bilingual in Mandarin Chinese and English. Because it is a public charter school, there are no tuition fees. The Alameda County Board of Education unanimously approved Yu Ming’s charter in November 2010.

Gloria Lee, one of the founding parents of Yu Ming Charter School. Photo by Mike Solidum.

“We live in Oakland and searched many years for a public program in our area that would help our kids become bilingual in Mandarin and English,” said Gloria Lee, an Oakland mother, educator, and chair of the Yu Ming Charter School board. “But there just weren’t any. Now that Yu Ming is opening, we are so excited that our kids will have the chance to learn in a Mandarin immersion environment.”

Information sessions are running throughout January and enrollment applications are due Feb. 10. For a schedule and more information, visit the school’s website at www.yumingschool.org.

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