BEND, OR -- A new K-8 charter school in Bend has received approval to open in the fall. The Bend-La Pine School Board voted Tuesday night to approve the charter for the Bend International School. BIS director Meera Rupp told KBND News she is excited to bring international studies to Central Oregon. "We have a fairly low population of diversity here - about 15% - and we want our kids to be able to compete across the world, to work with people from all different cultures. So, we're all about promoting diversity and respect and appreciation of other cultures." Rupp says classes will be a mix of English and Spanish. "What we're doing, is we're teaching the core academics in English. Then, in the afternoon, we're teaching our specials - including the lunch period, music, electives, project based learning - those are all being taught in Spanish."
New Bend Charter School Approved By Board
Open enrollment will begin March 16th and will close April 10th. BIS will host a community informational meeting March 18th when families can learn more about the program. Middle School orientation will also take place for 6-8th grade students. That meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at 2150 NE Studio Rd in Bend.
Bend International School joins REALMS in Bend and the Redmond Proficiency Academy as the only charter schools in the region. For more details call Meera Rupp at 541-389-5708 or visit BendInternationalSchool.org.
