Have you met JJ the Jaguar, yet? If not, you are in for a treat. 

JJ is the beloved mascot of Arco Iris Spanish Immersion School - he’s spunky, energetic, and effortlessly cool! Our tie-dye-loving, blue-spotted yellow jaguar perfectly embodies the creative and upbeat spirit of our tuition-free K-5 charter school. 

With his boundless enthusiasm and unwavering support for our students, JJ has clawed his way into our hearts, becoming a furry symbol of inspiration at our school events. From pep rallies to Unity Day celebrations, JJ’s presence lights up the room (and occasionally a fútbol field). We sat down with JJ for a peek behind the mascot mask, and let’s just say, his answers were as wild as his dance moves!

A Mascot Like No Other

Why is JJ the purr-fect jaguar for Arco Iris? “Well, I'm a pretty good dancer if I do say so myself…” JJ purrs with a wink. And he's not kidding! Whether busting a move at the school’s annual talent show or leading a conga line during Spanish Heritage Month, JJ’s grooves get everyone on his feet. 

If you’re thinking you’ve met JJ before his job at Arco Iris, perhaps you caught him at a Portland showing of Cirque du Soleil? “I traded acrobatics for school spirit,” JJ admits, “but I still sneak in a cartwheel or two at pep rallies.” That circus flair really shines through when JJ somersaults onto the scene at special events. 

A Day in the Life of JJ

Turns out, a typical day for our favorite feline is not so different from your average house cat. 

“I do a lot of resting... sometimes I meditate... sometimes I do yoga,” JJ shares, striking a perfect cat pose that would make any yogi jealous. There’s also plenty of time for snacks: “Salty or sweet? Is swalty a thing?” JJ quips, tossing a pawful of imaginary popcorn. 

One of his favorite places to visit at school is our cafeteria, where you can often find JJ joining our students for one of the best and freshest school lunches in Beaverton made with love by our kitchen staff. 

After a delicious meal, JJ often retires to the school office for a break. He leaves the big learning time to the teachers - after all, JJ stays true to the mascot tradition of not speaking. “It’s code,” he insists, with a mischievous grin. Instead, JJ communicates volumes through hugs, waves, and those iconic dance moves. 

Later in the day, you might spot JJ high-fiving kindergartners in the hallways, stepping in as a substitute teacher (with a tie-dye arts lesson plan, of course), or hyping up the crowd at a school fútbol match. “Fútbol, of course,” JJ declares when asked about his favorite sport. “It’s all about teamwork, just like at Arco Iris!”

When he's not cheering on students, JJ loves kicking back at the end of the day with a good book, just like our students! “I’m pretty into graphic novels these days,” he says, flipping through a colorful book about the Jaguar’s native habitat. 

A Mascot with Heart

Even when he isn't working, JJ spends his free time learning and growing. “I go to mascot training camp,” he revealed. “I also like to play at the beach with my other mascot friends.” We can picture JJ building sandcastles with Blaze, his mascot role model from the Portland Trail Blazers. “Blaze has that fire,” JJ says admiringly. “I’m all about bringing that same spark to Arco Iris!”

JJ the Jaguar is more than a mascot—he's a friend, a cheerleader, and a symbol of the vibrant, inclusive community at Arco Iris Spanish Immersion School. “Even if it's just for a short time, I get to be a part of these kids' stories. They are all amazing and so smart. It’s such a privilege to represent them… in animal form.” 

From cheering at spelling bees to celebrating student achievements at award ceremonies, JJ is there for every milestone, big or small. His unwavering support helps students feel seen, valued, and ready to roar with confidence.

Come be part of JJ’s crew and discover the magic of learning Spanish, making friends, and dancing like nobody’s watching. We’re enrolling new Kindergarten through 5th grade students for Fall 2025! 

About Arco Iris

Arco Iris Spanish Immersion is a small tuition-free public charter school providing a rich, immersive Spanish language experience and robust academics in a true multicultural setting. Centrally located off 217, between SW Portland and Tigard, we serve K-5 students in the greater Beaverton area to become bilingual and biliterate leaders of the future. Get to know us on Instagram @arcoiris_spanishimmersion and on the web at www.arcoirisschool.org. We’re enrolling for Fall 2025-26. Bilingual Education: A Rainbow of Possibilities