“Together We Achieve” is not just a motto. It is the beating heart of the Chinese Immersion School at De Avila.
Here we are at a school that embodies San Francisco’s diverse spirit. The Chinese Immersion School at De Avila has a rich history and a promising future.
Let’s dive into the story of this unique institution. The Chinese Immersion School at De Avila is not just any school. It is the latest version of the historic Dudley Stone School. Dudley Stone School was founded in 1896. It even survived the great 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.
In 2009, the school district opened De Avila as a Chinese immersion school. This was due to many new kindergarteners in San Francisco. The Chinese Immersion School at De Avila is the fifth of San Francisco Unified School District’s Chinese-immersion programs. Classes began on August 24, 2009. They started with two first-grade and three kindergarten classes. Each year, upper grade classes were added. This continued until the school became a full kindergarten-to-fifth-grade elementary school.
The school was named after Dudley C. Stone. He was a science teacher and deputy superintendent of the San Francisco City Schools in the 1870s and early 1880s. Stone was considered a pioneer educator in California.
Originally, the school was named the Dudley C. Stone School. Its name was changed to Dudley Stone School. This matched the wording above the four ionic columns facing Haight Street. Thomas J. Welsh designed the building. It was noted as the most pretentious of its kind. Special pains were taken to make the school perfect from a sanitary standpoint.
Interestingly, about 80 percent of the instruction at Chinese Immersion School at De Avila is in Cantonese. A fifth of the school time is spent developing English skills. Beginning in the third grade students are introduced to Mandarin. The curriculum includes math science history physical education art dance and music.
By 1980, Dudley Stone School was renamed the William R. De Avila School. This honored the school’s principal. De Avila had multiple sclerosis and used a wheelchair.
In 2014, Chinese Immersion School at De Avila was recognized as a California Distinguished School. In 2021, it became a National Blue Ribbon School.
Today, the Chinese Immersion School at De Avila continues to thrive. It has a STEAM room, computer lab and a school library. The school also has a before and after school program operated by the BYMCA.
The Chinese Immersion School at De Avila is more than just a school. It is a community. It develops the whole child by providing a collaborative and inclusive learning environment. Students are bi-literate and succeed academically socially and emotionally. The school prepares students with multilingual skills. It helps them become caring and globally responsible citizens. This is a place where learning diversity enrichment and community come together. The Chinese Immersion School at De Avila is truly a special place.