Introducing Frank Porter Graham Elementary School

Community Engagement

School Overview

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Frank Porter Graham Bilingual relies heavily on it's community, from families to the Carolina Latinx Center. The school has a working relationship with the CLC that has granted them access to University-specfic benefits, such as being able to use the Stone Center for a music performance. While FPGB is more immersed in the Latine community of Chapel Hill, there is still a long-lasting relationship as it serves the entire town of Chapel Hill.

Established in 1952, Frank Porter Graham Bilingual Elementary School (FPGB) has a rich history of providing quality education to elementary students. Originally, the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute would use the school to observe children before it shut down. FPGB now serves as the first magnet school in the Chapel Hill- Carrboro City Schools District (CHCCS). The school starts students with majority-Spanish instuction (90%) that then transitions to half Spanish-half English instruction According to CHCCS, 49% of students are Latine, 40% are white, 5% are Multiracial, 4% are Black, and 1% are Asian. The school uses a lottery system to determine who is admitted.

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Curriculum & Literature

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Student & Family Engagement

FPG excels in providing a bilingual education. The cirriculum is the same as other North Carolina schools, except some subjects are taught in Spanish and some are in English. Also, the students gradually move towards the 50% Spanish, 50% English classes in 2nd grade. For example, Kindergarten is 90% of your day is in Spanish and 10% is English. English literature starts in 2nd grade and a 50/50 (Spanish/English) model is adopted from that point forward. They also provide literature in English and Spanish in their library. There is a book vending machine as soon as you walk in the door of the school, which I didn't even know existed.

FPG's Community

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Student and family engagement is prioritized, with programs and activities designed to involve families in the educational journey of their children. During our tour, the assistant principle, Kat Rangel, told us about past student events and how the families have filled up gymnasiums until there is only standing room. She stressed how FPG creates a family environment for the students, whether that's the close relationship between students and teachers or getting parents engaged in school events and programs. Also, the school website includes a whole page for family information, which includes anything from how to get involved as a parent to alcohol education for families and students.

The school's community is diverse, inclusive, and fosters a supportive environment for students and staff. Most of the school website is in English and Spanish, which allows all students and families of FPG to access it. The school has an outdoor chalk wall where students can write and draw to express themselves. FPG also encourages student culture with a Hispanic Heritage Night. I felt like any student could feel welcome and have the chance to be creative and learn in creative ways at FPG, with their family environment and numerous student programs.

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School Values

Frank Porter Graham Elementary School

Educational Excellence in Community Engagement

This mural was created to pay tribute to values that are held by the FPGB community: respect, fuerza (force or strength), identity, cultura (culture), home, amor (love), empowerment, and communidad (community). FPGB's motto: "la familia" is infused throughout the school. FPGB's Assistant Principal claimed that needs are openly shown to parents to solve FPGB's problems together-- as was shown by the playground..