Maybe you've had Arco Iris on your radar since August but assumed the enrollment window had closed. Good news: it's not too late to explore Arco Iris! Tuition-free Arco Iris Spanish Immersion School, serving K–5th grade students in Beaverton, Oregon, still has room for your student to join, whether that's next week or next semester. It's not too late to become part of the Arco Iris community!
The Anxiety Is Real, But It Doesn't Have to Stop You
Starting a new school after the year has already begun feels big. Your child pictures walking into a classroom where everyone already has friends, already knows routines, already speaks a language they're still learning. You picture the paperwork, the adjustment period, the what-ifs.
At Arco Iris, students become part of a welcoming community where relationships, belonging, and learning go hand in hand. Our goal is for every student and family to feel connected and supported as they become part of our school community.
What Your Student Steps Into
Arco Iris blends rigor with joy. Kindergarten classrooms run 80% Spanish immersion, moving to 65% by 5th grade, so students build toward true bilingualism and biliteracy no matter when they arrive. Certified teachers, many of them native Spanish speakers, work alongside Singapore Math instruction, language arts, and a standards-based curriculum in art, music, and social studies.
A few things families notice within the first few weeks:
- Small class sizes where a new student gets noticed, not lost
- A no-homework policy that keeps evenings for family time instead of stress over assignments
- Daily 30-minute PE classes built into the schedule
- Field trips and enrichment that continue year-round, not just in the fall
A Community Built to Welcome New Families
Arco Iris ranks among Oregon's top charter schools according to Niche and US News & World Report, but the school still runs like a small community where staff learn a new student's name in the first week. Teachers pair incoming students with a classroom buddy. Front office staff walk families through enrollment paperwork over the phone or in person, so the process itself doesn't add to the stress.
Families come from every kind of background, and that mix is part of what makes the transition easier. Your student won't be the only one who joined partway through the year.
Ready to Talk It Through?
If you're weighing a transfer or a late start, call (503) 372-6052 or visit our enrollment page to check availability. A short conversation with our staff can answer the practical questions and give you a clearer read on timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child still enroll after the school year has already started?
Yes. Arco Iris accepts students throughout the year as space allows in each grade level, K through 5th.
Will my child fall behind by joining mid-year?
Teachers assess where a new student is academically and linguistically within the first weeks and adjust support accordingly. Many students catch up on immersion faster than parents expect, especially younger students.
How long does the enrollment process take once we decide to apply?
Families typically complete enrollment within a week or two, depending on how quickly paperwork and records transfer from the previous school.
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 2026-27. (Espanol) Bilingual Education: A Rainbow of Possibilities