An ethnic language school is a part-time private program that teaches the foreign language of a particular ethnic group as well as the culture, geography, history, and other aspects of the culture of that ethnic group.
Each year, an ethnic language school may seek approval from the Multilingual / Language Development Department to show that the language instruction offered is equivalent in content, rigor, etc. to foreign language instruction offered at a public high school. This program provides for that approval under 105 ILCS 5/2-3.44 in the School Code. The School Code has additional references to ethnic language schools under 105 ILCS 5/2-3.45 and 105 ILCS 5/10-22.43a. A minimum of 120 hours per student of instruction in language (and culture) is required for this approval.
Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will be accepted from July 1, 2024 until November 1, 2024. Please ensure that a current email address is included on your application as well as a school website, if available. Applications should be sent to Emily Mizera at emizera@isbe.net.
