Continuing our series of schools within the Wallingford attendance area, here’s a look at John Stanford International School.
As a part of the Seattle Public Schools, John Stanford International School is a nationally acclaimed and award winning K-5 elementary school right in the heart of Wallingford. Students who attend John Stanford International School (JSIS) will learn half the day in either Spanish or Japanese.
A bit of history: The landmark school was built in 1906, as one of nineteen wood frame schoolhouses based on a “model plan.” James Stephen, the designer for Latona, was the Seattle School District architect from 1903-1909. His projects for the District included eleven wood framed “model plan” schools along with eight other projects. His work encompasses the core of historic neighborhood schools in Seattle. Latona Elementary School was designated as a city landmark in 1998. Following restoration in 1999, the building reopened as the John Stanford International School, Latona Campus in 2000. The historic neighborhood school is named for the late John Stanford, Seattle School District superintendent, whose vision led the District`s efforts in revitalizing numerous historic schools in the city.
Kindergarten at JSIS is a full day program because of the language immersion. Students are welcomed into a 28 student maximum class size where teachers and instructional assistants help educate students in adapting to their new language. Currently there are two Spanish Kindergarten programs and two Japanese Kindergarten programs at JSIS. When students attend JSIS they will first begin learning their selected language in both math and science. As the student grows and continues through the immersion program, subjects taught in a different language will begin to change. The immersion teachers will speak only in the chosen language leading the student towards complete proficiency in the second language.
According to Principal Kelly Aramaki:
The mission of the John Stanford International School is to educate and prepare all students to achieve today and tomorrow in a global community and economy. To accomplish this, we have created a program with a foundation of academic excellence, world language and a global perspective infused throughout the curriculum. Our school is a place where children not only celebrate and appreciate their own unique qualities but also those of others here in Seattle and around the world. We create strong partnerships with parents, the community, and higher education to support all children.
Language placement at JSIS follows particular guidelines. Students who are orally fluent in a language will be given priority after passing a language interview with JSIS, then siblings who are new to the program will be given a choice of language to follow in their older siblings tracks. (Interviews and sibling placement will most likely begin the first week of June.) The remaining spots are then assigned through a preference-based lottery, as JSIS strives for a balance of boys in girls in each class. (The lottery will take place the second week of June.) In order to notify JSIS about your language preferences please pay close attention to the forms being mailed out to all families. Parents will have a chance to select their preference and mail it in. Language assignments will be posted in main office on or around June 13.
For parents who are interested in before or after school childcare, JSIS has a licensed program that is hosted by Latona School Associates (LSA). LSA is a non-profit corporation and is made possible by Board Directors, consisting of parents. This organization has been thriving since 1985.
Latona School Associates mission:
To create a learning environment, in partnership with parents and JSIS staff, that respects and honors the whole child, fosters social development and growth, and provides experiential learning opportunities in a safe, engaging and culturally inclusive manner.
Children will be divided based on age and development/social needs. The curriculum at LSA includes: homework support, arts and crafts, cooking, drama, interest clubs, games, and fieldtrips. There is currently space for a maximum of 107 with a ratio of 1:10. Hours of operation Monday-Friday, 7am-9:10am and 3:20pm-6pm. (Open on school breaks and closed on holidays).
As soon as parents receive there school assignments you are able to get on the waiting list for childcare. Prices vary based on how many days needed. Please call the main office of JSIS.
I think that the class sized *used* to be limited to 28 but that is no longer the case (since the school switched to a purely neighborhood school). There is no space in the building for more than 4 kindergartens, so if there are more than 112 kindergarteners coming into the school next year, the classes will be bigger than 28. Or that is what I understood from the last PTSA meeting.
There is no cap size on classes at JSIS.