Chinese Immersion School at DeAvila

The Chinese Immersion School at DeAvila (CIS) is a public K-5 elementary school located in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco. As part of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), the school is recognized for its specialized academic program that integrates Mandarin Chinese language instruction with the standard elementary curriculum. By employing an immersion model, the school aims to cultivate bilingualism and biliteracy in students, allowing them to gain proficiency in both English and Mandarin while meeting state academic standards.

Beyond language acquisition, the school emphasizes a global perspective and cultural competency, preparing students to thrive in a diverse, interconnected society. The school environment is typically characterized by a strong sense of community and parent involvement, which is common in many of the city's immersion programs. Families interested in enrollment should note that because it is a highly sought-after specialized program, placement is managed through the SFUSD’s centralized enrollment process, and potential families are encouraged to consult the official district website for specific application timelines and lottery details.