New Mandarin Immersion TK-8 School

SFUSD is planning to open a new Mandarin Immersion TK-8 school in Fall 2027. The school will provide students with a high-quality bilingual education in Mandarin and English while helping them develop strong academic skills, cross-cultural understanding, and the language proficiency needed to thrive in a global community.

SFUSD is working toward opening the new Mandarin Immersion TK-8 School in Fall 2027. Key milestones include:

The school is expected to welcome its first students in Fall 2027. The inaugural class will include:

• One Transitional Kindergarten (TK) classroom
• Three Kindergarten classrooms

The school will add one grade level each year until it becomes a full TK-8 school. The first eighth-grade class is expected to graduate in 2035.

The school location is still being determined. SFUSD will announce the location of a temporary site before the October 2026 Enrollment Fair, giving families time to learn more about the school before applying. A permanent site will be announced in Spring of 2027.

Enrollment information will be available beginning in August 2026, and families will be able to learn more about the school during SFUSD's October 2026 Enrollment Fair.

Additional enrollment dates and application information will be shared as they become available.

No. Students may enroll without a Chinese language assessment through first grade.

Beginning in second grade, applicants will need to demonstrate grade-level Chinese language proficiency by passing a language assessment before enrolling.

Students will receive instruction in both Mandarin and English while meeting California academic standards in all subject areas.

The school is designed to help students:

• Become bilingual and biliterate in Mandarin and English
• Build strong academic skills across all subjects
• Develop an understanding and appreciation of Chinese language and culture
• Be prepared to earn the California State Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation from high school

Instruction will include hands-on learning, project-based experiences, and opportunities for students to actively use both languages throughout the school day.

Yes. Students will have access to enrichment programs that may include:

• Visual, media, and performing arts
• Social-emotional learning
• Chinese music and performing arts
• Martial arts
• Traditional and contemporary visual arts
• Additional cultural enrichment activities offered through community partners

The school also plans to explore opportunities for cultural exchange study tours to Asia, allowing students to apply their language skills in authentic learning experiences.

Teacher and staff recruitment is expected to begin in Spring 2027.

SFUSD is partnering with organizations including the Association of Chinese Teachers (TACT), the Association of Asian American Administrators (AAAA), and San Francisco State University's Department of Education to recruit highly qualified bilingual educators and strengthen the pipeline of future Mandarin immersion teachers.

If you are interested in staying informed via email about the new Mandarin Immersion TK-8 school, please use this form to sign up to receive public updates, event announcements, and opportunities to get involved and share your input.

Thank you for your interest in and support of SFUSD!