Dutch Education in the San Francisco Bay Area
Teaching kids Dutch for over 2 decades
The Dutch School Silicon Valley (DSSV) is a California-approved non-profit or 501(c) (3) organization. The school was founded in Palo Alto, California in 2001 and has since expanded to include classroom facilities in Berkeley, San Francisco and San Jose. Our mission is to deliver high quality Dutch language and culture education by providing a challenging, comprehensive and integrated Dutch language curriculum that meets the requirements of the Dutch school system in the Netherlands.
Dutch School Silicon Valley addresses expatriate student’s Dutch language needs to facilitate repatriation back into the Dutch school system; and provides Dutch language instruction for students who are interested in learning the Dutch language and Dutch culture (as a second or foreign language) through a fully accredited program.
Our curriculum can accommodate ages 5 through 18 / Kindergarten through 12th grade; and our students may have the opportunity to qualify for foreign language credits at their American High School. Several of our students have been successful in receiving language credits by submitting their transcript from Dutch School Silicon Valley to their High School.
The Dutch School Silicon Valley is fully accredited by the school system in The Netherlands and it is also recognized as a language center by New York based Cordell Hull Foundation for Internation Education. The majority of the schools operating budget comes from tuition. The Dutch School Silicon Valley is part of he Foundation for Dutch Education Abroad.
Teaching methods
Our teachers are accredited native Dutch speakers with work experience in the Netherlands. To ensure ease of transitions from and to Dutch schools we use the same methods and materials as schools in the Netherlands and Belgium . These include Veilig Leren Lezen, Staal en Nieuw Nederlands.
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The individual developmental needs of each student guides the learning plan. Our students progress is measured using Cito tools to ensure alignment with Dutch and Belgium government standards. Our teachers adjust the curriculum based on the individual progress a student is making.
Lessons
During the lessons we focus on developing and improving Dutch vocabulary, speech, reading ability and writing skills (spelling & grammar). Our teachers combine class-room language instruction with learning games, Dutch music & songs, drama (roleplay), arts & crafts and cooking (ranging from making Dutch delicacies from scratch to putting together an entire "Rijsttafel"): all in an effort to more closely experience Dutch language and culture.
Lessons
During the lessons we focus on developing and improving Dutch vocabulary, speech, reading ability and writing skills (spelling & grammar). Our teachers combine class-room language instruction with learning games, Dutch music & songs, drama (roleplay), arts & crafts and cooking (ranging from making Dutch delicacies from scratch to putting together an entire "Rijsttafel"): all in an effort to more closely experience Dutch language and culture.
