West Side Elementary School began hosting a kindergarten partial immersion Chinese program at the start of the 2012-2013 school year. Students enrolled in the program will continue through grade five and have the opportunity to develop communicative and academic proficiency in both Mandarin Chinese and English.

The school system holds two regional informational meetings in March to provide parents with a general understanding of the program model and program goals as well answer questions and address concerns. Parents are encouraged to attend one of these meetings before submitting an application for the program.

Any Allegany County student eligible for kindergarten in the 2020-2021 school year may apply for the program; however, transportation will not be provided for students who reside outside of the West Side School attendance area. Registration for the program will take place at a child’s home school during pre-k/kindergarten registration on April 2 and 3, 2020. Applications will be available at all ACPS elementary schools. 

For more information, contact Shannon Green, West Side Elementary principal, at 301-724-0340.