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Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion

About Yujin Gakuen

友人学園  ゆうじんがくえん

Origami Graphic

Yujin Gakuen’s mission: Enable our diverse student community to be productive citizens in our global society through a bilingualbiculturalintegrated Japanese/English curriculum.

友人 (Yujin) means “friendship”

学園 (Gakuen) means “school.”

Our school climate – We are:

Respectful 親切 しんせつ

Safe 安全 あんぜん

Responsible 責任 せきにん

Life at Yujin Gakuen

Culture

  • Taiko drumming
  • Bento (traditional Japanese lunch) making
  • Onigiri (riceball) celebrations
  • Traditional Japanese festivals
    • Aki Matsuri (Fall Festival)
    • Oshogatsu (New Year’s)
    • Kite Festival/Children’s Day (May)
  • Japanese plays performed by each grade level
  • Songs in Japanese
  • Traditional fan dances
  • Origami
  • Kimonos, yukatas and happi coats worn for cultural celebrations and performances
  • Bilingual school store (K-2)

Academics

  • Japanese taught by all native speakers
  • Immersion begins in kindergarten
  • Rigorous, fast paced curriculum
  • Subjects taught in both languages
  • Social-emotional instruction begins in K and continues through 5th grade
  • Our Japanese immersion program K-12 continues from Yujin Gakuen to Kelly Middle School and then North Eugene High School

We build community, family, and culture through…

  • Japanese class plays at each grade level
  • Hosting interns from Japan through a homestay program
  • Traditional Japanese food and activities, for students and the school community
Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade
  • Asian Celebration Performance
  • Tatami room experience
  • Annual play “Kasajizo”
  • Seasonal activities
  • Monthly character bento (lunch/snack) activities
  • Curry Day
  • Station work in Japanese and English
  • Taiko drumming performance
  • Urashimataro (folk play)
  • Raise and release salmon
  • Research project in English and Japanese
  • Performance with dancing and taiko
  • Yearly tour of the State Capitol
  • Annual rocket build and launch
  • Traditional New Year’s dinner with families
  • Integrated technology 
  • School leadership opportunities
  • Native American presenters
  • Bilingual buddy activities
  • Outdoor school