Global Ambassadors Language Academy
School Summary
- Principal
- Michael Salwiesz
MSalwiesz@GALACleveland.org - Phone
- 216-315-7942
- Hours of Operation
- 8:00-3:50
- Grades
- K-4, growing to K-8
- School Type
- Charter
- Operated By
- Independent
- Sponsored By
- Ohio Council of Community Schools
- Special Programs
- Arts integration, Dual Language Immersion, International Baccalaureate
Mission
Since opening in 2016, GALA has grown from 60 students to 200, now serving grades K-3 for the 2018-2019 school year. The mission of Global Ambassadors Language Academy (GALA) is to ensure each student achieves lifelong academic success, bilingualism and appreciation for diversity, in an engaging and academically rigorous language immersion environment. GALA’s innovative education model blends dual language immersion (Mandarin or Spanish) with an International Baccalaureate framework and is designed to meet the unique needs, and accelerate the dreams, of all students.
As a dual language immersion school, GALA provides core instruction in two languages: English and a Target Language (Mandarin or Spanish). K-2 students at GALA are immersed in Mandarin or Spanish for 70% of the school day (approximately 4.5 hours) and English for 30% of the school day (approximately 2 hours); student in grades 3-5 will be immersed 60% in the target language and 40% in English, and students in grades 6-8 will be immersed 50%/50%. Through GALA’s immersion model, students become dually proficient in English and Mandarin or Spanish by the end of third grade.
As an international school, GALA emphasizes student-centered inquiry and a global perspective through the implementation of integrated thematic units across the content areas and language of instruction. GALA students receive a globally-minded education that addresses their social, physical, emotional, cultural and academic development necessary to succeed in a rapidly globalizing world. GALA’s curriculum is aligned with Ohio’s New Learning Standards within the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) framework; as GALA is seeking IB PYP candidacy.
Highlighted Academic Offerings:
- Small class size, no more than 23 students per class
- Classroom Technology
- Extended school day and school year
- Mandarin & Spanish Dual Language Immersion
- International Baccalaureate framework
- Holistic student approach (academic, character, cultural, emotional, physical, social)
Enrollment Information
Check out GALA’s promotional video featuring highlights of our classroom instruction and testimonies from our parents and staff.
Visit GALA’s Facebook page.
GALA in the news:
Freshwater Cleveland
North East Ohio Parent
Special Education
Art Club, Yoga Club, STEM Club, and Kung Fu Club offered daily after school between 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.