Academics
Grade Level Overview
Children's House (K5)
We are passionate about teaching children about the love of Jesus. That means ALL children, including those who have unique gifts and needs. There is a sense of belonging for children of all abilities in Charis classrooms!
Lower Elementary
Our 6-9 year-olds explore and navigate in the fun learning of general subjects. Through being daily immersed in a multilingual environment, they develop respect for cultural diversity and love for varied solutions of problem-solving while excelling in academic learning.
Upper Elementary
Our upper-elementary students continue to grow through a research-based and data-driven inquiry approach. Students develop into competent learners, having grounded in solid foundational skills in ELA reading and writing, second language proficiency, Science and Math application, as outstanding bilingual and multilingual individuals, and future global leaders.
Afterschool and Weekend Enrichment Programs
Students may stay after the school day for our afterschool enrichment program. We offer a wide variety of interest clubs, including ABRSM Instrumental (piano, violin, cello, voice and music theory exam preparatory) lessons, Orton-Gillingham English Club, STEM Creative Art Club, and Robotics Club. We provide support to parents by offering Biblical Parenting classes and set up of GEM (Godly Encouragement to Moms) Groups, and periodical seminars for counseling techniques.
The Benefits of Language Immersion
Its Benefits for Academic Results
Research has shown that language immersion facilitates outstanding academic performance in reading and math scores. (Chen, 2020, Lindholm-Leary, 2012, Fortune, 2012). Proficient bilinguals outperform monolinguals in divergent thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills (Fortune, 2012). Intercultural competency skills open up employment possibilities. Bi- or multilingual individuals connect and converse more freely with wider range of people. They know more and they know differently.
At our Academy, students spend 50% of their day in Mandarin/Spanish immersion time in language arts, science, math, music, and arts. The other 50% is spent learning reading, writing, social studies, Science, Math and PE in English. Students who are immersed starting at the kindergarten and elementary levels attain language skills well above those that start in high school (Fortune, 2012).
Its Benefits to Dyslexic Students
In addition, Mandarin which is a pictorial language, utilizes the visual-learning part of the brain for the acquisition of Chinese characters and meaning. Our unique teaching approach carries countless similarities with the Orton-Gillingham English-teaching approach. Research has shown that sub-skills learned from acquiring a character-based language transferred to English learning (Fortune, 2012). We have seen dyslexic students excel in mastering the Chinese language and consequently excel in music, math, and English. The research-based multisensory learning has shown much evidence as an effective way of learning growth (Hettiarachchi et al., 2020; Lehtinen-Schnabel, 2024; Seidl et at., 2023, Mitchell, H, 2024; Moustafa, 1999; . We are excited to offer our program to students diagnosed with dyslexia. We aim to get them college-ready by making foreign language learning an attainable goal.
Charis Language Immersion Academy – Non-discriminatory Policy
Charis Language Immersion Academy (CLIA) is committed to providing equal access to educational and employment opportunities and does not unlawfully discriminate based on any characteristic protected by applicable federal or state law, including race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability. As a Christian school, CLIA affirms that all students, teachers, and staff members are created in the image of God, and therefore, should be treated with dignity and respect. CLIA is also committed to upholding the moral and ethical standards drawn from Scripture and are rooted in the Biblical principles of truth and love.
Charis Language Immersion Academy is a fully accredited private school by Grace Association of Private Schools and a transitioning member of NAUMS, Inc., with Cognia accreditation . It is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operating under the business name Charis Language Immersion Academy. Contributions to CLIA are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
CLIA tax identification number is 88-3627844