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Taras Shevchenko School of Ukrainian Studies – Washington, DC 
Institution name: Shkil’na Rada (Ukrainian Educational Council)
Address: 5511 Massachusetts Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20816
Telephone:
Extension:
Fax:
Web address: http://www.ukrainianschooldc.org/
 
Name: Renata Harmatiy
Title: Principal
Address: 5511 Massachusetts Ave.
Bethesda,  MD  20816
Email: Ukieschooldc.pres@gmail.com
Telephone: (240) 328-9270
Extension:
Fax:
Purposes and goals of the program:
The main role and mission of this program is to teach young people of Ukrainian descent the Ukrainian culture and language so that they will remain members of the global Ukrainian community.
Program origin:
The Taras Shevchenko School of Ukrainian Studies in Washington, DC (based in Bethesda, Maryland) was established in 1968 and has been at its current location for the last ten years. It is one of approximately fifty schools nationwide that are part of the Shkil’na Rada network.
Program funding:
Student tuition and private donations
 
Languages/dialects taught:
  • Ukrainian
    •
    Program type:  Community-Based
    Average enrollment: 125
    Total contact hours per week: 4
    Times per week classes meet: 1
    When meetings take place:
    9AM to 1PM on Saturdays
    Where meetings take place:
    Westland Middle School, 5511 Massachusetts Ave., Bethesda, MD 20816
    Parents' or guardians' expectations of the program:
    Parents' or guardians' involvement in the program:
    Parents and guardians are highly encouraged to donate what time and/or materials they can to help the program succeed.
    Instructors' expectations of the program:
    Number of instructors in the program
    Full-time instructors:
    Part-time instructors:
    Volunteer instructors:
    Languages in which instructors are proficient:
    Ukrainian and English
    Educational backgrounds and credentials of instructors
    (e.g., diploma, bachelor's, master's, doctorate, certificate):
    all teachers are native speakers of Ukrainian and are volunteers
    Professional development opportunities instructors have:
    Professional development opportunities instructors need:
    Students' expectations of the program:
    Student background
    First-generation immigrants: 12%
    Second-generation immigrants: 88%
    Third-generation immigrants:
    Children of interethnic marriages:
    Children of interethnic adoption:
    Indigenous students:
    Others:
    Students' countries of origin:
    How the program identifies heritage language speakers:
    Heritage language speakers are considered to be students who have a recent family history of speakers of the Ukrainian language but then losing or never acquiring full proficiency themselves.
    Average enrollment: 125
    Approximate percentage of students who complete the program:
    Approximate percentage of students who continue to study the heritage language after completing the program:
    Possible reasons that students continue to study the heritage language after completing the program:
    Total contact hours per week: 4
    Times per week: 1
    Student grouping (e.g., proficiency level, grade, age):
    Pre-K through 11th grade, grouped by grade level
    Language skills taught in the program (e.g., reading, writing, speaking, and listening):
    reading, writing, speaking, and listening
    Aspects of culture included in the program (e.g., history, literature, traditions):
    history, literature, traditions, music, dance, holidays
    Other content taught in the program:
    Instructional methodologies used in the program:
    Levels of language proficiency reached by the end of the program (e.g., ACTFL proficiency levels, language tasks able to perform):
    Textbooks:
    This program uses a selection of texts recommended by the Shkil’na Rada (website: http://www.ridnashkola.org/booklist.html) in addition to Ukrainian language books donated from parents and supplementary materials designed by teachers.
    Manuals and workbooks:
    Self-designed materials:
    Films, videos, and DVDs:
    Music:
    Technology:
    Standardized tests used:
    This program uses the graduation test designed by the Shkil'na Rada.
    Other assessments used:
    Connections with local schools or other organizations:
    Credit received from formal education system:
    Types of support received (e.g., financial, time from parents or volunteers):
    Student tuition and private donations
    Additional support desired:
    Challenges faced by the program:
     
    Comments:
    The profile of Taras Shevchenko School of Ukrainian Studies in Washington, DC was created by Corinne Seals in March 2012.