Chinese Language Charter School: Sign of the Times?

China rising?

If ever you wondered about China's increasing importance to the United States, the founding of the second Mandarin-immersion SC public charter school in Mt. Pleasant should confirm your suspicions. East Light Academy, modeled after a school in Columbia, expects to enroll up to 350 students in four-year-old kindergarten through second grade for the upcoming school year of 2018-19. The school has located near the Philip Simmons campus off Clements Ferry Road in Berkeley County.

Previously in Charleston a weekend immersion program has satisfied demand.Two other area schools offer Mandarin as a subject. However, this is the sole immersion program, varying from 75/25 to 50/50 Chinese.

Students from any county can enroll in the school; its enrollment period ends this month. "Charter committee Chairwoman Hong Lee said she anticipates . . . adding higher grade levels in subsequent years. Enrollment will be free in kindergarten and older, but pre-K will cost $5,500 per year, she said."

More information may be found on the school's website, eastlightacademy.org