San Francisco Japanese Language Class

SFJLC was founded in 1968 by the Japanese community in the Bay Area. The primary purpose was to help Japanese children in the Bay Area adapt to schools in Japan after living temporarily in the Bay Area where their parents were posted. The demographics of the student population have changed over time: now the majority of children are permanent residents. The school is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The Japanese government supports SFJLC by sending teachers from the Japanese public school system, as well as providing financial assistance for the operation of the school. The Japanese government also has a program to invite teachers from the rented schools to Japan to foster cultural and educational exchange.

Currently there are about 1200 children attending SFJLC at its four campuses: grades 1-6 in San Francisco and Sunnyvale, and grades 7-11 in San Francisco and Cupertino. SFJLC is managed by the Board of Directors composed of representatives of the Parent Association, Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, and Corporate Members.

Education at SFJLC is modeled after the Japanese public school system curriculum, suitably adapted to local circumstances by the teachers from Japan. The principal oversees the entire school, while two vice principals lead all the campuses.

The curriculum consists of Japanese language (two periods), Mathematics (two periods), Science (one period), and Social Studies (one period). Each period is 45 minutes for the 1st grade - 6th grade, 50 minutes for the 7th grade -11th grade. The 1st and 2nd grades have fewer classes: Japanese (two periods), Mathematics (one period), and Activity (one period).

SFJLC hosts various cultural events, such as a traditional sports day and start-of-the-year and end-of-the-year ceremonies. In addition, the Parent Association sponsors the Fall Festival, Book Sale, and other cultural and fundraising activities.

The Mission of SFJLC is

• To facilitate adjustment to Japanese schools and society through classes offered in the Japanese language,
• To enhance each student’s identity and to nurture a sense of commonality through exposure to Japanese points of view, ideas, and life styles by spending one day a week in a Japanese-style school environment,
• To develop broad perspectives on Japanese and American cultures without prejudices so that the children can benefit from both cultures, as well as to foster their ability to live in unfamiliar environments.

Rented school facilities:

• Grades 1-6, SF A.P. Giannini MS, 3151 Ortega St. San Francisco, (415)505-7999
• Grades 1-6, SJ Cupertino MS, 1650 S. Bernardo Ave, Sunnyvale, (408)507-1255
• Grades 7-11, SF Herbert Hoover MS, 2290 14th Ave. San Francisco, (415)342-1066
• Grades 7-11, SJ J.F Kennedy MS, 821 Bubb Rd, Cupertino, (408)806-4011

Hours: 8:50-13:40 (grades 1,2), 8:50-14:35 (3-6), 8:35-14:50 (7-11)

1999-2007 San Francisco Japanese Language Class, Inc.  All rights reserved.　Since 10/27/1999.