Our School

At Foreign Language Academy (FLA), we're dedicated to providing a top-tier educational journey right here in Kansas City. As the only school in the area offering Spanish and Mandarin Chinese immersion programs, FLA stands out by blending rigorous academics with cultural enrichment. Rooted in a strong family-oriented philosophy, we offer a wide range of academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities. Our internationally diverse teaching staff helps students rise beyond traditional expectations, unlocking new levels of academic achievement and personal growth.

Immersion learning means students are taught core subjects in the target language, either Mandarin or Spanish, which fosters natural bilingualism. Research consistently shows that learning a second language early boosts cognitive development, enhances academic performance, and strengthens future opportunities—in high school, college, and careers.

Through the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) and Middle Years Program (MYP), our mission goes beyond classroom education. We strive to nurture curious, compassionate, and globally aware individuals who are prepared to lead with character, insight, and responsibility. With a foundation in life skills and leadership development, our students are empowered to create meaningful change and foster intercultural understanding in an increasingly connected world.

Choosing a Spanish immersion program for elementary students offers a wealth of lifelong advantages. These programs allow children to develop fluency in a second language during their prime language-learning years, making bilingualism feel natural and intuitive. Beyond linguistic skills, students gain cognitive benefits such as improved memory, problem-solving abilities, and mental flexibility. Immersion also fosters cultural awareness and global perspective, helping kids appreciate diversity from a young age. Plus, early exposure to another language can open doors academically and professionally in the future.

Choosing a Mandarin immersion program for elementary students unlocks unique cognitive and cultural benefits. Mandarin is one of the most spoken languages in the world, and learning it early builds impressive linguistic skills and sharpens mental agility, especially because of its distinct tones and characters. Kids in these programs tend to develop strong memory, pattern recognition, and even increased creativity. Beyond brainpower, Mandarin immersion introduces children to the rich history and traditions of Chinese culture, fostering openness and global citizenship. Plus, fluency in Mandarin can be a powerful asset in future international careers.

FLA Mission Statement

Foreign Language Academy creates a multilingual learning environment that emphasizes inquiry, leadership and critical thinking. FLA empower students to be independent, lifelong learners who take initiative to solve local and global problems.

Frequently Asked Questions About FLA

Tell me a little bit about FLA/Cuénteme un poco sobre FLA

Foreign Language Academy (FLA) is a K-8 language immersion school. We offer a Mandarin Chinese track or a Spanish track for students that begins in Kindergarten. Students learn to read, write and speak their target language. When students graduate in 8th grade, the expectation is for students to be bilingual and biliterate!

Foreign Language Academy (FLA) es una escuela de inmersión en idiomas K-8. Ofrecemos un programa de chino mandarín y un programa de español para los estudiantes que comienza en kíndergarten. Los estudiantes aprenden a leer, escribir y hablar su idioma elegido. ¡Al graduarse en octavo grado, deberían ser bilingües!

What is immersion? ¿Qué es la inmersión?

Language immersion is an educational approach where learners are immersed in a target language. The primary method of instruction is through the target language and cultural immersion. It is a non-negotiable that classroom teachers instruct in the core language everyday. The expectation is that by eighth grade, students will graduate bilingual and bi-literate in the areas of reading, writing, and verbal communication. Please review the graphic to see the immersion progression and program sequence at FLA, by grade level.

What does a Kindergarten day look like? Do they have recess? Are they sitting in desks all day? ¿Cómo es un día de jardín de infantes? ¿Tienen recreo? ¿Están sentados en escritorios todo el día?

Kindergarten students enjoy two daily recess periods, each lasting between 20 to 30 minutes. During inclement weather, indoor play takes place in the classroom using toys and games or through dance and movement videos—or a blend of both. Students do not remain in one location for more than 20 minutes, regularly transitioning between the group rug, desks, chairs, and learning centers. A range of flexible seating options is used to support comfort and engagement. Learning centers are incorporated into the daily schedule to reinforce skills, explore unit concepts, and encourage social interaction.

Los estudiantes de kínder tienen dos recreos diarios de 20 a 30 minutos cada uno. Durante las temporadas del mal tiempo, los estudiantes generalmente juegan en sus aulas, ya sea con juguetes / juegos del aula o usando videos de baile / ejercicio / activos para el movimiento (o una combinación de ambos). Los estudiantes de kindergarten no permanecen en un solo lugar del salón por más de 20 minutos aproximadamente. Se alternan desde la alfombra con el grupo grande, sillas y escritorios hasta centros de aprendizaje, etc. También utilizamos una variedad de tipos de asientos flexibles. Los centros de aprendizaje también forman parte del horario diario del jardín de infantes. Se utilizan para reforzar las habilidades y los conceptos, explorar los conceptos y el contenido de las unidades de investigación, así como para dar tiempo a la interacción social.

How do you teach Reading and Writing? ¿Cómo se enseña a leer y escribir?

Our school is proud to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), emphasizing an integrated, inquiry-based curriculum. Through transdisciplinary Units of Inquiry, we intentionally create meaningful connections across subject areas. Literacy instruction often merges with science and social studies to deepen understanding and engagement. Phonics in the target language is taught through immersive experiences with letters and sounds using music, gestures, and vocabulary. Writing is interwoven throughout both phonics and reading instruction. In phonics, students learn correct letter formation and apply sound-letter correspondence to begin writing words. During reading, students are encouraged to express themselves by responding to literature or developing their own stories through illustrations and emerging written language.

Nuestra escuela se enorgullece de ofrecer el Programa de la Escuela Primaria (PEP) del Bachillerato Internacional, que promueve un currículo integrado basado en la indagación. A través de las Unidades de Indagación transdisciplinarias, buscamos establecer conexiones significativas entre las distintas áreas del conocimiento. La instrucción en lectura y escritura a menudo se combina con temas de ciencias y estudios sociales para enriquecer la comprensión y el compromiso de los estudiantes. La enseñanza de fonética en el idioma meta se realiza mediante experiencias inmersivas con letras y sonidos, empleando música, gestos y vocabulario. La escritura está integrada en ambas áreas, fonética y lectura. Durante las actividades de fonética, los estudiantes aprenden a formar las letras correctamente y utilizan la correspondencia sonido-letra para comenzar a escribir palabras. En las sesiones de lectura, se les anima a expresarse a través de respuestas literarias o creando sus propias historias mediante ilustraciones y lenguaje escrito emergente.

Is instruction given to the whole class at once, or are there groups according to ability? ¿Se imparte instrucción a toda la clase a la vez o hay grupos según la capacidad?

Instruction occurs in both large and small group settings. A whole group setting is used to develop the concepts of the Units of Inquiry and to introduce phonics and grade level math concepts to the entire group. Teachers also work with small groups based on ability to fill in gaps or challenge and extend students’ learning.

La instrucción ocurre en entornos de grupos grandes y pequeños. El entorno de grupo grande se utiliza para desarrollar los conceptos de las unidades de investigación y para presentar conceptos de fonética y matemáticas de nivel de grado a todo el grupo. Los maestros también trabajan con grupos pequeños en función de su capacidad para llenar los vacíos o desafiar y ampliar el aprendizaje de los estudiantes.

How do you teach Math? Do you use workbooks? ¿Cómo se enseña matemáticas? ¿Usas libros de trabajo?

Our math book is considered a resource for us and we are not expected to complete every page in the workbook. We utilize math manipulatives, digital math games as well as the workbook when appropriate. Learning centers with hands on materials are also an important part of developing math skills in students.

Nuestro libro de matemáticas se considera un recurso para nosotros y no se espera que completemos todas las páginas del libro. Utilizamos manipulativos matemáticos, juegos matemáticos digitales, así como el libro de trabajo cuando es apropiado. Los centros de aprendizaje con materiales prácticos también son una parte importante del desarrollo de las habilidades matemáticas en los estudiantes.

What about homework? ¿Qué pasa con la tarea?

Overall, we believe that homework can be used for reinforcing skills, but we do not rely on homework for instruction. As students get older, the homework may increase a bit, but again, it is not meant to replace learning that takes place in school. Reading should be part of every child’s at-home routine. Each child should read or be read to each night for at least 20 minutes. The reading skills they develop in their home language will apply to any language they are learning. The child’s teacher may also send classwork home for the student to complete, if they did not complete it during class time, as well as additional materials, such as flashcards, for the child to practice at home. Please make sure to communicate with your child’s teacher to learn how you can best support your child’s learning at home.

What is your approach to discipline and conflict resolution? ¿Cuál es su enfoque de la disciplina y la resolución de conflictos?

The first 30 minutes of each school day are intentionally reserved for our “Morning Meeting,” a time focused on building social-emotional skills, including conflict resolution. Teachers may lead general lessons on social skills or use this time to address specific situations emerging in the classroom. By explicitly teaching these strategies, we equip students to navigate strong emotions and make positive choices. We treat behavioral challenges as learning opportunities, recognizing that while choices carry consequences, they also open the door for growth. Our team includes two full-time school counselors who, in collaboration with administration, provide support to both teachers and families. Students may work with counselors individually or in small groups, and personalized plans are developed when needed. Additionally, counselors offer access to community resources to further assist families.

Los primeros 30 minutos de cada día escolar están reservados intencionalmente para nuestra “Reunión Matutina”, un espacio enfocado en desarrollar habilidades socioemocionales, incluyendo la resolución de conflictos. Los maestros pueden impartir lecciones generales sobre habilidades sociales o utilizar este tiempo para abordar situaciones específicas que surgen en el aula. Al enseñar estas estrategias de forma explícita, preparamos a los estudiantes para manejar emociones intensas y tomar decisiones positivas. Tratamos los desafíos de conducta como oportunidades de aprendizaje, reconociendo que si bien nuestras acciones tienen consecuencias, también nos brindan la oportunidad de crecer. Nuestro equipo incluye dos consejeros escolares de tiempo completo que, en colaboración con la administración, brindan apoyo tanto a docentes como a familias. Los estudiantes pueden trabajar con los consejeros de forma individual o en grupos pequeños, y se desarrollan planes personalizados cuando sea necesario. Además, los consejeros ofrecen acceso a recursos comunitarios para apoyar a las familias según lo requieran.

How can parents be involved at the school? ¿Cómo pueden participar los padres en la escuela?

At FLA, we have an active Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The PTO meets throughout the school year to share information, ask questions, and plan for activities that support our school. The PTO sponsors two book fairs and other community events at FLA. All parents can get involved through PTO meetings and events, as well as volunteer experiences, such as chaperoning field trips.

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