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Columbus Spanish Immersion Academy
Mission
Our Mission at the Columbus Spanish Immersion Academy is to promote, through a global approach, the acquisition of the Spanish language and an awareness and knowledge of the various cultures that are encompassed by the Spanish-speaking world. Our program shall provide the highest quality education for all students through the cooperation of staff, parents, and community representatives in a caring, productive environment which is conducive to meeting the total needs of each child.
History
The Columbus Spanish Immersion Academy opened its doors as Gladstone Spanish Immersion School in September of 1987. That year Columbus Public Schools opened a variety of alternative schools which each drew their respective populations from the entire school system. While uncertain of the public's acceptance of immersion programs, the Columbus Public Schools committed economic resources to them for a period of three years. At this time an evaluation would be done concerning the public's interest, as well as the success of the various academic programs, and a determination of permanent commitment would be made. Both of the K -5 immersion programs, the French Immersion School at Kenwood and the Spanish Immersion School at Gladstone, had gained acceptance and were supported both by the public and the Columbus Public Schools.
Mr. Ronald E. Leithe was selected to lead the Spanish Immersion School. Mr. Leithe had supported foreign language programs in the elementary schools for many years. His belief in the power of languages at the elementary school level propelled him to search for community resources to maintain a Spanish foreign language program in an east side elementary school for many years. It was not uncommon to find him at the local colleges transporting education students to his school during his lunch hour. His relentless commitment to the students of Columbus, Ohio made him the perfect candidate to lead the Spanish Immersion School.
In August of 1987 the staffs of both immersion schools were given the opportunity to prepare for the opening of the school year by sharing two weeks of immersion professional development with renown immersion and foreign language educators. Opening week was filled with anxiety and excitement. . . the journey had begun.
The first years were filled with many events promoting the immersion program. Visits to local preschools and public performances at community events were part of the staff's ongoing commitment. Today as well as during those times, one will hear the strumming of the guitar of Sra. McCombs, kindergarten teacher, accompanying the school's student choir in community events.
In 1992 our first international student field trip became the' real' test of our program. Students accompanied by their parents spent ten days living with a Mexican family in Cuernavaca. Coordinated by the school staff and Cemanahuac Language School, students visited cultural sights and participated in day to day routines, like purchasing foods at the local market, and bartering for goods with street vendors. The satisfaction of seeing our students communicating and enjoying their learning experiences supported Cultural trips in 1994 and 1996.
After Ronald Leithe's retirement from the school system in 1995, Michelle Evans-Gardel became the principal. She led the school from 1995-1998.
In 1996 as part of the restructuring plan, the Columbus Public Schools relocated the immersion program at the current location on Fenton Street. The immersion middle school program previously located at Mifflin International School was phased-out and the first sixth grade class marked the beginning of the K-8 Columbus Spanish Immersion Academy. We left behind the name of Gladstone Spanish Immersion School and transported the sign "La Escuela Hispana" to the new location. With the new millennium our first eight grade class graduated. In 1998 Carmen Graff, previously a primary teacher with the program, became our principal.
Today you will find us working as the Columbus Spanish Immersion Academy. Seeing former students, now parents, bringing their own children back to the Spanish Immersion School gives us a great sense of pride and satisfaction. The "circle of life"continues, and reassures us that we are sharing wonderful gifts with our students.
Our Mission at the Columbus Spanish Immersion Academy is to promote, through a global approach, the acquisition of the Spanish language and an awareness and knowledge of the various cultures that are encompassed by the Spanish-speaking world. Our program shall provide the highest quality education for all students through the cooperation of staff, parents, and community representatives in a caring, productive environment which is conducive to meeting the total needs of each child.
History
The Columbus Spanish Immersion Academy opened its doors as Gladstone Spanish Immersion School in September of 1987. That year Columbus Public Schools opened a variety of alternative schools which each drew their respective populations from the entire school system. While uncertain of the public's acceptance of immersion programs, the Columbus Public Schools committed economic resources to them for a period of three years. At this time an evaluation would be done concerning the public's interest, as well as the success of the various academic programs, and a determination of permanent commitment would be made. Both of the K -5 immersion programs, the French Immersion School at Kenwood and the Spanish Immersion School at Gladstone, had gained acceptance and were supported both by the public and the Columbus Public Schools.
Mr. Ronald E. Leithe was selected to lead the Spanish Immersion School. Mr. Leithe had supported foreign language programs in the elementary schools for many years. His belief in the power of languages at the elementary school level propelled him to search for community resources to maintain a Spanish foreign language program in an east side elementary school for many years. It was not uncommon to find him at the local colleges transporting education students to his school during his lunch hour. His relentless commitment to the students of Columbus, Ohio made him the perfect candidate to lead the Spanish Immersion School.
In August of 1987 the staffs of both immersion schools were given the opportunity to prepare for the opening of the school year by sharing two weeks of immersion professional development with renown immersion and foreign language educators. Opening week was filled with anxiety and excitement. . . the journey had begun.
The first years were filled with many events promoting the immersion program. Visits to local preschools and public performances at community events were part of the staff's ongoing commitment. Today as well as during those times, one will hear the strumming of the guitar of Sra. McCombs, kindergarten teacher, accompanying the school's student choir in community events.
In 1992 our first international student field trip became the' real' test of our program. Students accompanied by their parents spent ten days living with a Mexican family in Cuernavaca. Coordinated by the school staff and Cemanahuac Language School, students visited cultural sights and participated in day to day routines, like purchasing foods at the local market, and bartering for goods with street vendors. The satisfaction of seeing our students communicating and enjoying their learning experiences supported Cultural trips in 1994 and 1996.
After Ronald Leithe's retirement from the school system in 1995, Michelle Evans-Gardel became the principal. She led the school from 1995-1998.
In 1996 as part of the restructuring plan, the Columbus Public Schools relocated the immersion program at the current location on Fenton Street. The immersion middle school program previously located at Mifflin International School was phased-out and the first sixth grade class marked the beginning of the K-8 Columbus Spanish Immersion Academy. We left behind the name of Gladstone Spanish Immersion School and transported the sign "La Escuela Hispana" to the new location. With the new millennium our first eight grade class graduated. In 1998 Carmen Graff, previously a primary teacher with the program, became our principal.
Today you will find us working as the Columbus Spanish Immersion Academy. Seeing former students, now parents, bringing their own children back to the Spanish Immersion School gives us a great sense of pride and satisfaction. The "circle of life"continues, and reassures us that we are sharing wonderful gifts with our students.