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Philosophy

Core Values

Integrity
Diversity
Creativity
Service
Community
Respect
Enthusiasm for Learning
Compassionate Leadership

Language Approach

We believe language is at the heart of learning and acknowledge that language acquisition and development is crucial for exploring and sustaining cultural identity, personal development, and intercultural understanding. We believe language and culture shape and inform identity. We commit ourselves to grow and change individually and together, to ensure every learner’s identity, language, and values are respected. Research shows that knowing two or more languages has tangible cognitive benefits. As one learns to switch between languages, one triggers--and potentially strengthens--the part of the brain that manages executive function.

At Stokes School, we believe...

Our diverse multicultural environment and language programs provide the foundation for intercultural competence.
Our diverse multicultural environment and language programs provide the foundation for intercultural competence.
Language learning is a continuum along which each individual progresses differently.
Language learning is a continuum along which each individual progresses differently.
All members of our community are dedicated to language learning within the IB framework.
All members of our community are dedicated to language learning within the IB framework.

How Target Language Learning Works at Stokes

We offer a full immersion preschool program for children ages three and four in French or Spanish.
From kindergarten through grade five, we deliver the rigorous, inquiry-based IB-Primary Years Program curriculum in two languages.
All faculty are native speakers of the language in which they are teaching.
All lessons have both content and language objectives. Scholars at Stokes School develop a balanced bilingual ability.
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In Pre-K, students receive instruction in the target language 90% of the time and English 10% of the time--both in small-group and full class settings.
Scholars in kindergarten and above spend approximately 50% of their time in English and 50% of their time in the target language.
The units developed in the target language are in alignment with the ACTFL Performance Descriptors for Language Learners.

Our Language Experiences are Designed To...

develop communication skills:
interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational
develop Intercultural communication skills:
investigation and interaction
English Language Learners

English Language Learners

Stokes uses a comprehensive approach to teaching students who are acquiring English as a second language. We value students’ language and cultural diversity, and we maintain high expectations for all students. Teachers facilitate language learning from explicit skill instruction, content-based instruction, and task-based instruction. Each fall, the ELL coordinator administers the ACCESS assessment to help teachers make plans to meet student language needs.
Language Support

Language Support

Target language teachers support students in their language learning by designing differentiated learning experiences that allow students to build language acquisition through meaningful context and purpose. To ensure that students are progressing in their language proficiency, our target language teachers use the ACTFL Can Do Statements, which describe what students can do with the language across different communication domains: interpersonal, interpretive, presentational, and intercultural. Using these statements, our teachers can determine where students are in their language progression, make instructional decisions, and plan learning activities that meet their needs.

Mission & Vision

The Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School prepares culturally diverse pre-school and elementary school students in the District of Columbia to be leaders, scholars and responsible citizens who are committed to social justice. We teach children to think, speak, read, write and learn in two languages: English and French or English and Spanish. With a dual focus on academic excellence and community service, the Stokes School accomplishes its mission by creating an environment of achievement, respect and non-violence.

The Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School’s vision is to be recognized, respected, and emulated as a premier model of urban education in the United States.

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