Bijou Community School brings together English- and Spanish-speaking students in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 5th grade through our Two Way Bilingual Immersion (TWBI) program. Students learn to read, write, speak, and listen in both languages with three primary goals:

• Bilingualism and biliteracy

• High academic achievement in English and Spanish

• Sociocultural competency

Program Model

• TK: Instruction is 50% Spanish and 50% English each day.

• Kindergarten–5th Grade: Bijou follows a 90:10 model.

  • In Kindergarten, 90% of instruction is in Spanish and 10% is in English.

  • Each year, the percentage of English increases.

  • By 5th grade, instruction is evenly split at 50% English and 50% Spanish.

Program Strengths

• Our assets-based approach values all students as language models for their peers.

• Classes are intentionally balanced with 50% Spanish speakers and 50% English speakers.

• All students have opportunities to serve as leaders in the classroom.

School Culture and Opportunities

We are proud of our warm and welcoming environment at Bijou. Parents play an active role in their child’s education through:

• Classroom volunteering

• Participation in one of 16 parent committees (examples: school garden, monthly art lessons)

Students benefit from:

• On-site after-school care through the Boys and Girls Club

• A variety of after-school clubs

• Positive recognition programs including:

  • Monthly assemblies

  • Weekly announcements celebrating positive behavior and character traits

Enrollment

• Admission is by lottery only; Bijou maintains an active waitlist.

• Bijou is not part of a school attendance zone.

• For students entering after Kindergarten, please contact the school to confirm eligibility and add your child to the waitlist.

• To enroll your child in TK or Kindergarten please contact the school and complete a commitment form. Commitment forms are due in mid February each year. Interested families must also attend an information session in order to participate in the lottery. 

Next Steps for Families

• Contact Martha Ubias or Julia Cedano at (530) 543-2337.

• Submit a TWBI Commitment Form to the school office.

• Campus tours are available.

• Commitment forms are due in mid-February.

TK/Kindergarten Registration Information

Disclaimer

School placements are subject to change based on enrollment. Students may be redirected to another school based on capacity.

Families requesting a school outside of their transportation zone may not receive acceptance confirmation until three weeks after the school year begins.

Kindergarten Opportunities

Kindergarten is available at all four elementary schools:

• Tahoe Valley

• Sierra House

• Meyers

• Bijou (Two Way Bilingual Immersion program, admission by lottery)

Lottery timing: Mid-February each year.

Transitional Kindergarten Opportunities

TK is available at:

• Meyers Elementary (Zone 3)

• Tahoe Valley Elementary (Zones 1 & 2)

• Bijou Community School (by lottery only)