• Chinese Language Immersion Program
• Spring Academic Fair
• Team Teaching
• Library Program
• Computer Program
• Garden Program
• Environmental Education – Overnight Backpacking/Camping Trip – 5th Grade
• GATE Program
• Resource Specialist Program
• Inclusion Program
• Physical Education Program
• Multiage Teaching
• Master Teachers Program – USF, SFSU
• Observation/Participation (O.P.) – SFSU, USF
• Multiple computers in all classrooms
• Recycling/Composite Program

• Instrumental Music – Grades 4/5
• Classroom Music – All Grades
• Spring Musical
• School Assemblies
• Presentation/Performances/Exhibits for Community and District Visual and Fine Arts Commission

• Multicultural Class Activities and Celebrations
• Art Program – Class Activities and Celebrations
• Adventures in Music, SF Symphony Program – Grades 1, 2,3,4, 5 to attend Symphony Production in the Spring

• Craft and Folk Art Museum Visits
• Youth Arts Festival
• Music Maker – Grades K-3
• San Francisco Poets in the School  - Grades 4/5

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

• Perceptual Motor Program – Grade K
• President’s Physical Fitness Program, Intermediate PE - Grades 4/5
• Special Sports Program – Panthers Kickball Team & Cheerleading Team
• District Physical Education Program
• Physical Education Recreation and Curriculum (PERC) – Grades 1-5
• After School Basketball and Soccer Teams – Grades 4/5

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

• Student Council – Student Services Club
• Elementary Advisor Program
• ESL in the Classroom
• Speech Therapy
• Buddy Program – Pairing younger/ older students for Reading, Science, Art
• Cross-age and Peer Tutoring
• School Study Team – a Program of Intervention
• School Attendance Review Team
• Growth and Learning Opportunities (GLO) – a non-profit Parent-Operated Child Care Program
• Transitions – 5th Grade
• Safety Whys – Safety Program – Grades K-3
• Get Real Too! – Safety Program – Grades 2/3
• West Portal Times Newspaper

PARENT/GUARDIAN INVOLVEMENT

• School Site Council
• English Learner Advisor Committee
• West Portal Parents Club
• Classroom Representatives
• Volunteer Opportunities – Classroom, Yard, Library, Field Trips, Home
• Fund Raising
• Tutoring in the School and Home
• Support Opportunities for Child in School and Home
• Resources for the Classroom/School
• Career Sharing
• Birthday Book Club
• Community Outreach for School
• S.F. School Volunteers
• Chinese Immersion Curriculum Committee
• Allies for Education  (Corporate Partnership Score)

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

• Field /Study Trips
• Chinese Performing Arts – performances at Chinese New Year Parade, Laguna Honda Hospital
• Read-A-Loud Day
• Founding Member – “It’s Elementary” Alliance
• Food Bank Program
• Principal for a Day
• Bechtel Engineer Program
• Adopt a Beach Program
• MS Read-a-thon
• KQED Member

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West Portal School Chinese Immersion Program

Kindergarten through Fifth Grade

San Francisco Unified School District’s

First Bilingual and Bicultural

Cantonese Education Program

Founded in 1984

Immersion education is an innovative program in which children develop the ability to speak, read, and write in a second language.

Knowledge of more than one language and culture will enable our children to fully participate in a culturally diverse society and an increasingly global economy.  Over 30 years of research on immersion programs in North America reveals that bilingual education enhances long-term academic and social development.

The Chinese Immersion Program (CIP) at West Portal

As one of the top elementary schools in the SFUSD, West Portal’s CIP teachers and administrator create a caring, stimulating, and supportive environment to learn.  Our teachers offer choices and help students to develop strategic thinking skills while recognizing individual learning styles. 

Since the CIP is a program with a bigger school community, our students have the opportunities to integrate with the General Ed. Students.  (Musical, kickball games, other school-wide functions)

Our families feel connected to our school community and our children thrive academically and socially as we work together toward excellence. 

Chinese is learned through the contents taught in school.  The core subjects, except English Language Arts, are taught in Cantonese during grades K to 3, with an increase in English instructional time during the 4th and 5th grades. 

Instructional Time        Chinese                           English

K & 1st Grade                   80%                                   20%

2nd & 3rd Grade                 70%                                   30%

4th & 5th Grade                  50%                                   50%

The program goals are to:

• Becoming bilingual, biliterate, and bi-cultural.
• Fulfill all requirements for graduation and continuation to immersion programs offered at SFUSD middle schools and high school.
• Instill a love of learning.
• Encourage development of the whole child through music, movement, athletics, and arts.

West Portal’s CIP students rank among the District’s top performers at their grade level.  Current School Accountability Report Cards and standardized test scores are ported online at www.sfusd.edu. 

Student Population and Class Size

K to 3rd grade classes have a maximum of 20 students.  Students are from diverse cultural backgrounds.  Some of our students come from English speaking families; some are from Chinese speaking families; some are from bilingual families; and some are from families that speak other languages. 

Chinese Homework

Parents can provide support and encouragement for homework.  Knowing the Chinese language is not a necessity for enrolling in the CIP.

Progress of Your Child

CIP teachers are bilingual and will hold conferences with you. 

Parent Participation

Parents and guardians represent our most valuable resource and their involvement is vital to the success of the school.  Parents help in the classrooms, work on special events, and serve on the board of the West Portal Parents Club or CIP Enrichment Committee.  Fundraising by parents helps provide enrichment activities, instructional materials, and improvements to the facility. 

Onsite Care

Growth and Learning Opportunity (GLO) at West Portal School provides outstanding onsite before and after school daycare services between 7 to 8:30 a.m., and from 2:30 to 6 p.m.  Assistance with Chinese homework is available during daycare homework time. For more information, please call GLO at West Portal at (415) 242-8641.

Enrolling Your Child

Applications for enrollment are available at West Portal School or the SFUSD’s Educational Placement Center (EPC) at 555 Franklin Street, Room 100.  For further information, contact EPC at (415) 241-6085 or West Portal School at (415) 759-2846.

Visit Us!

The best answers to your questions will come from visiting the school and speaking with staff and parents.  Visiting days are every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  You may also call to make an appointment.