Updated 08/18/21
2021-22 School Programming: Salish School of Spokane serves children and youth aged 1 to 18 years old beginning on September 7, 2021 and running until August 11, 2022.
Ages/Grades Served: We offer a Language Nest for children aged 1-3 years, preschool/ECEAP class for children 3–5 years old, a combined K-2 elementary class, a combined 3-5 elementary school class, and a secondary class for grades 8-10.
School Hours: Salish immersion Language Nest and ECEAP Preschool hours run from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm, and Salish immersion elementary and secondary school hours are 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. We offer before and after school care for preschool and elementary students from 7:30-9:00 am and 3:30-5:30 pm. Secondary classroom hours are 8:00 until 5:00 pm. We are in session Monday thru Friday excluding professional development days, holidays and winter, spring, June, and August breaks. We offer 200 school days per year.
Community Language Classes: Salish School of Spokane offers free Salish language classes for parents and vaccinated community members. Parents are required to complete at least 60 hours of Salish class per year in order for their children to attend Salish School of Spokane. We offer the following classes beginning Wednesday, September 15, 2021:
Wednesday evenings: Intermediate n̓səl̓xcin̓ (Colville Salish). Dinner at 5:30, class from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Childcare is provided for parents attending class;
Thursday evenings: Beginning n̓səl̓xcin̓ (Colville Salish). Dinner at 5:30, class from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Childcare is provided for parents attending class;
Saturday mornings: Beginning n̓səl̓xcin̓ (Colville Salish).
Continental breakfast provided. Class from 9:00 to 11:30 am
every Saturday (except for holiday weekends and school breaks).
Childcare is provided for parents attending class.
Anyone* interested in learning is welcome at these free community classes.
*Community members must be vaccinated for COVID-19.
Teacher Training: Salish School of Spokane has 33 staff enrolled in our intensive Salish language training program (18 at the advanced level, 10 at the intermediate level, and 5 at the beginning level). Staff enrolled in the program spend 60-90 minutes per day in Salish language training, and have additional paid study time to prepare for quizzes and tests and complete practice assignments. Staff who do not yet hold a degree in education also are enrolled in college courses, either at Spokane Falls Community College or Eastern Washington University.
Curriculum Development: Salish School of Spokane develops Salish language books and curriculum materials for adults and children, and also assists other organizations to develop Native language books and curriculum materials in their languages.
Training for Other Indigneous Communities: Salish School of Spokane assists other communities who are interested in adopting our fluency transfer system and creating new fluent speakers of their language. We offer our curriculum templates at no cost, and we provide training and support on a contract basis.
