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Eugene School District 4J

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Japanese Language Immersion Program Transition

Japanese Language Immersion Program Transition

A unified K-12 future rooted in excellence, care and community voice.  

This webpage will serve as the central hub for information, updates, and resources related to the transition of the Japanese Language Immersion Program (JLIP). It is intended for families, students, staff, and the broader community.

 

Updates

Interim Superintendent Colt Gill announced on April 30, 2025 that Eugene School District 4J's K-12 Japanese Language Immersion Program would relocate to the South Eugene region, with the move occurring over several years to accommodate students and families as well as the buildings and infrastructure involved. The decision was the result of a months-long process engaging the community, including family surveys, staff reflections and other forms of student and community feedback. While the future locations of the program have been determined, transition timing and planning is still happening.

 

The 2025–26 school year will remain unchanged for all Japanese Language Immersion students. All program locations are the same: K-5 remains at the Willard building at W. 29th Avenue and Lincoln Street; grades 6-8 at Kelly Middle School and 9-12 at North Eugene High School.

While the final decision has been made about where the 6–12 program will live, no decisions have yet been made about how the transition will happen. The 2025–26 school year will serve as a dedicated planning year to ensure a smooth, supported, and student-centered transition. A preliminary version of the Transition Plan will be shared with the community by June 30, 2025. 

Eugene School District 4J is committed to transparency, shared leadership, and student-centered design throughout this process. We will continue to keep families informed as the Transition Plan evolves. If you have questions, please contact: japaneseimmersion@4j.lane.edu

  • Interim Superintendent Colt Gill announced on April 30, 2025 that Eugene School District 4J's K-12 Japanese Language Immersion Program would relocate to the South Eugene region, with the move occurring over several years to accommodate students and families as well as the buildings and infrastructure involved. The decision was the result of a months-long process engaging the community, including family surveys, staff reflections and other forms of student and community feedback. While the future locations of the program have been determined, transition timing and planning is still happening.

     

  • The 2025–26 school year will remain unchanged for all Japanese Language Immersion students. All program locations are the same: K-5 remains at the Willard building at W. 29th Avenue and Lincoln Street; grades 6-8 at Kelly Middle School and 9-12 at North Eugene High School.

    While the final decision has been made about where the 6–12 program will live, no decisions have yet been made about how the transition will happen. The 2025–26 school year will serve as a dedicated planning year to ensure a smooth, supported, and student-centered transition. A preliminary version of the Transition Plan will be shared with the community by June 30, 2025. 

    Eugene School District 4J is committed to transparency, shared leadership, and student-centered design throughout this process. We will continue to keep families informed as the Transition Plan evolves. If you have questions, please contact: japaneseimmersion@4j.lane.edu

Transition Timeline

  • While the final decision has been made about where the 6–12 program will live, no decisions have yet been made about how the transition will happen. The 2025–26 school year will serve as a dedicated planning year to ensure a smooth, supported, and student-centered transition.

    • Our planning will be shaped by student voice, staff input, family engagement, and operational realities.
    • The district will not rush this process. Every step will be taken with care, and to preserve the excellence and integrity of the Japanese Language Immersion experience.
    • A preliminary transition plan will be developed and shared by June 30, 2025, informed by feedback gathered this spring and early summer.
       

  • The 2026–27 school year is the earliest possible year for the Japanese Language Immersion Program (JLIP) transition to begin. However, at this time, no final decisions have been made regarding how the transition for Grades 6–12 will occur. The details of implementation—such as student movement, timelines, and site-level structures—are dependent on the Transition Plan that will be developed during the 2025–26 school year.

  • The elementary portion of the Japanese Language Immersion Program (K–5) will continue to operate at its current location:
    Yujin Gakuen Elementary School, 2855 Lincoln Street, Eugene, OR 97405

    • There will be no changes to the K–5 location or structure in the 2026–27 school year.
    • The district remains committed to maintaining stability and continuity for students and families at the elementary level.
    • Ongoing communication with families and staff will ensure continued support, clarity, and long-term planning for the program.

  • The transition of the middle school portion of the JLIP to Spencer Butte Middle School has been confirmed; however, the structure, timing, and specific transition details will be determined through the 2025–26 planning process.

    • No final decisions have been made about the timing, structure, or student movement for 2026–27.
    • All aspects of the transition are to be determined (TBD) and will be shaped by the planning, engagement, and data gathering that takes place throughout the 2025–26 school year.
    • The district will work closely with families, staff, and students to co-design a supportive and developmentally appropriate transition model.

  • The transition of the high school portion of the JLIP to South Eugene High School has been confirmed as the future site. However, just like with the middle school transition:

    • The structure, timing, and implementation details for the transition are still in development.
    • These decisions will be guided by the comprehensive Transition Plan, which will be co-created during the 2025–26 school year.
    • Planning will focus on academic continuity, student identity and belonging, and alignment with the International High School (IHS) model at South Eugene.

Frequently Asked Questions

Understandably, the Japanese Language Immersion community has questions and conerns about this process. Answers to frequently asked questions will be posted here.

  • No. There are no program changes during the 2025–26 school year.

  • After a year of planning with stakeholder input in 2025-26, a transition plan will be shared by DATE. A preliminary plan based on input received in 2024-25 will be shared by June 30, 2025.

  • The transition will occur over three phases:

    • 2025–26: No changes to school placements. This will be a planning year focused on collaborative design and preparation.
    • Spring–Summer 2026: Finalizing logistics, facility adjustments, staffing, and communications.
    • 2026–27: Transition to Spencer Butte Middle School and South Eugene High School begins, based on the implementation plan developed with family and staff input.

  • Through surveys, focus groups, and community engagement sessions involving families, staff, and students.

    • Families can reach out to school leaders directly at any time.
    • Questions or suggestions can also be emailed to: japaneseimmersion@4j.lane.edu.
    • Regular updates will be shared via school newsletters, district emails and community forums

  • The relocation of the middle and high school portions of the program will begin in the 2026–27 school year. The 2025–26 school year will serve as a planning year, during which no school changes will take place. All students will stay at their current schools and continue participating in the program as usual. The final structure and timeline for the move will be shaped by feedback gathered from students, families, and staff during the 2025–26 planning year.
     

  • Students and families enrolled in the Japanese Language Immersion Program in 2024-25 who want to stay at Kelly Middle School or North Eugene High School in the regular (non-language-immersion) academic programs can do so.

  • No. Students currently enrolled in Kelly Middle School or North Eugene High School will not need to apply through school choice to remain and complete their education—even if they choose not to continue in the Japanese Language Immersion Program. Students may stay as part of the general school community and do not need to transfer or opt in through a separate process.

Opportunities for Input

  • Families will be invited to join advisory groups or upcoming design sessions
  • A feedback form will be available to submit questions, suggestions, or concerns at any time
  • The district will maintain consistent communication through email and school channels
  • Reminder: questions or suggestions can be sent to japaneseimmersion@4j.lane.edu

Superintendent's Decision and Project Reports

The superintendent's decision on the permanent, future locations of the Japanese Language Immersion Program was the result of extensive engagement with the school program community, including meetings and surveys with students, families, staff, alumni and community members.

  • Japanese Language Immersion Program Transition Timeline: Phased Plan for a Unified K-12 Program
    The timeline outlines Eugene School District 4J’s phased plan to transition the secondary Japanese Language Immersion Program to Spencer Butte Middle School and South Eugene High School by Fall 2026. The report details key milestones, accountability measures, and strategies to ensure a smooth, inclusive, and student-centered implementation process—grounded in community voice and operational readiness.
  • Community Reflections on the Japanese Language Immersion Program (April 2025)
    This report summarizes input from more than 500 students, families, staff, alumni, and community members who shared their hopes, concerns, and priorities for the future of the Japanese Language Immersion Program (JLIP). The findings shaped the Superintendent’s announcement on April 30, 2025, and offer a blueprint for a stable, equitable, and student-centered path forward.
  • Japanese Language Immersion Program Transition Report (April-May 2025)
    This report summarizes powerful insights from families, students, educators, and community members following the Superintendent’s decision to relocate the Japanese Language Immersion Program (grades 6–12) to the South Region beginning in 2026–27. The feedback, gathered through a multilingual survey open from April 30 to May 7, 2025, outlines what is most needed to ensure a smooth, student-centered, and equitable transition for all.

Contact & Support

  • Email: japaneseimmersion@4j.lane.edu
  • Interpretation and translation services are available upon request
  • Embedded form or external link to submit a question or support request