Private Middle Schools

Following are examples of some Portland-area middle schools that offer advanced language options for TIS graduates. Please contact the schools directly for their most current information. They are listed in alphabetical order.

Gilkey International Middle School (GIMS - private)
8500 NW Johnson Street, Portland, Oregon 97229
www.faispdx.org, 503-292-7776
Grades: 6 - 8

Basics
GIMS is a private school, part of the French American International School. They have a French Immersion Track for advanced French studies, and an International Track for students interested in other languages. Gilkey waives the SSAT requirement for all International School students. The International School has been working with Gilkey on advanced language options which will allow students to move on seamlessly to the upcoming international high school.

Language options
The International Track offers classes in French, German, Spanish, and Mandarin.

For students such as our graduates who have advanced language skills and are looking to continue in their target language (i.e. International School Chinese Track graduates who want to continue in Chinese or Spanish Track graduates who wish to continue in Spanish), Gilkey will offer advanced language and social studies classes depending on demand:

  • For fewer than 4 advanced students in a language, Gilkey will not offer advanced language classes.
  • For 4 to 9 students, they will offer an advanced language class for 4 periods per week (each period is 50 minutes.)
  • For 10 or more students, they will offer an advanced language class for 4 periods per week PLUS a social studies class taught in the target language for an additional 4 periods per week.

Whether or not a student takes an advanced language class, every Gilkey student must take classes in a new language. The school will offer beginner classes in French, Spanish, German and Mandarin depending on demand. All Gilkey teachers are native speakers of the language they teach.

Quite a few International School students attend or have attended Gilkey.

Northwest Academy (private)
1130 SW Main Street, Portland, OR 97205
www.nwacademy.org, 503.223.3367
Grades: 6-12

Basics
Northwest Academy is a private middle & high school founded in 1996. The school puts a strong emphasis on the arts, and is located in downtown Portland.

Language options
The school currently offers four levels of Spanish and is building its Mandarin program. (Offered Level 1 in ‘06-’07, will offer Level 2 in ‘07-’08 and will offer higher levels depending on demand). Given that, there are several options for International School graduates:

  • Northwest Academy offers beginner classes in French, Spanish and Mandarin.
  • A Spanish Track graduate could test into Spanish level 3 or 4 as a 6th grader. Level 4 is mainly literature, reading and writing, so a student could take Spanish Level 4 multiple times (different books each semester).
  • Juniors and seniors in high school can take language classes at PSU for credit.
  • If enough Chinese Track graduates are interested, Northwest Academy would consider offering advanced Mandarin classes.
  • Northwest Academy generally offers independent study options - another alternative for pursuing advanced language skills.

Several graduates of The International School attend Northwest Academy. 

Oregon Episcopal School (OES - private)
6300 SW Nicol Road, Portland, OR 97223
www.oes.edu, 503-246-7771
Grades: PreK - 12

Basics
OES is a private preschool through 12th grade school located on the west side of Portland.

Language options
OES Middle School teaches Spanish, French and Mandarin. The 6th grade classes are ony 1 ½ to 2 hours per week, and are mainly targeted to OES elementary school graduates who have learned limited Spanish. However, if a child has both the language proficiency and the social/emotional readiness, the school will place him/her in a more advanced class. For example, a Chinese Track graduate could place into a 9th grade Mandarin class as a 6th grader. Alternately, that student could start a third language with other 6th grade students.

OES accepts at least 13 new students into middle school and an additional 10 to 15 new students into high school. Several TIS graduates attend or have attended OES.