Fulfilling Enrollment Goals for Verdugo Woodlands Elementary School’s Japanese Dual-Language Immersion Program

 

 

Verdugo Woodlands Elementary School in Glendale, California is home to a Japanese Dual Language Immersion (JDLI) program. Here, students can study their subjects in both English and Japanese. Those who graduate from the JDLI program here can continue to study Japanese in middle school and high school. The program was in danger of being cut/downsized due to low Kindergarten enrollment. Many groups worked together to meet the enrollment threshold and keep the program safe for the next school year. You can find more specifics (timeline, outcomes, good practices, etc.) below:

 

Verdugo Woodlands Advocacy Timeline

 

Mid December 2025– The Verdugo Woodlands (VW) team was informed that enrollment for their Japanese dual-language immersion (JDLI) program was only at half capacity (38 people enrolled, but needed around 70 people total).

At the same time, they were told that if JDLI enrollment did not reach full capacity by the end of January, then phasing out the program would need to be considered to remain financially solvent.

 

1/5/2026 – A VW JDLI teacher contacted JFLA and asked for support. The teacher mentioned that enrollment was down partially because of the removal of a JDLI program outreach job position that previously helped with a lot of recruitment/enrollment efforts. Additionally, a lack of funds for traditional newspaper advertisements was limiting outreach they previously enjoyed. JFLA notified the consulate on the same day and began with the VW team to organize JFLA’s advocacy efforts to boost enrollment numbers for the program. The VW team notified us that a virtual school tour to showcase the JDLI program to prospective parents was happening on 1/9/2026, so we put together an advocacy plan and began preparations.

 

Summary of Advocacy Activities - January 2026:

• 1/9/2026: JFLA attended the VW virtual school tour together with parents of students currently in the program and tried to recruit new student signups. Parents of prospective students attended, asked about the program, and heard about the value of JDLI education directly. Parents of current JDLI students were there to answer questions. JFLA also reached out to the parents of current JDLI students to get a better feel for the situation from the parents’ side. These JDLI parents shared a promotional flyer with JFLA, which was shared on our social media:
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• 1/11/2026: Parents and teachers attended the Little Tokyo JANM New Year festival to pass out flyers and talk to attendees about our program.
• 1/20/2026: JFLA attended a school board meeting with parents/students to give speeches together advocating for the program (https://spectrumstream.com/streaming/gusd/2026_01_20.cfm) (1:18:54～1:31:45 is where the four speakers address the board regarding the JDLI program in the district.)
• 1/22/2026: VW staff invited an LA area Japanese newspaper to come interview them about the program and advertise it. https://rafu.com/2026/01/glendale-schools-hoping-to-boost-enrollment-in-successful-japanese-immersion-program/
• 1/23/2026: JFLA attended the VW in-person school tour with parent group leaders to recruit new student signups for the immersion program. Similar to the virtual tour earlier in the month, parents of prospective students were able to get a direct look at the program and they were encouraged to sign up. Current JDLI parents were able to answer any questions they had about the program.
• Additionally, parents distributed flyers to Japanese and non-Japanese businesses and locations such as libraries, supermarkets, and preschools throughout the LA area in January. 

 

1/31/2026 – We confirmed with the Verdugo Woodlands team that the program met its enrollment goals and was no longer in danger of being phased out. The program was confirmed for next year!

 

2/2/2026 – JFLA followed up with the GUSD dual language immersion program director to talk about the future of the program, where it was confirmed that there were no further plans to cut or downsize the program next year. We eventually had a phone call to discuss details about the future of the program. We also talked about what kinds of support the school needs during its next student recruitment cycle.

 

4/19/2026 - A Cherry Blossom Festival took place at a local Japanese Tea House and Garden. Students from VW performed a traditional Nihon Buyo dance and parents and students were present at the event passing out flyers and talking to visitors about our program.

 

4/28/2026 – 250 people consisting of families and staff from VW attended a Japanese Heritage night game at Dodgers Stadium. Dodgers Stadium displayed a welcome message representing VW because we purchased tickets as a group. This was a small but fun way to bring the JDL and non-JDL families together, along with having a small PR opportunity. 

 

5/18/2026 - VW Visit with the consulate → A combined team comprised of members from both JFLA and the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles visited Verdugo Woodlands Elementary. The Consulate also brought an actor who shared his life experiences and discussed the importance of Japanese language education with the students. After touring the classrooms together with the principal, superintendent, and members of the board, we all sat down together and discussed the value of the program and how we can better promote it to the community with the goal of recruiting more students for next year. The district leadership then shared their perspectives about the program and were very grateful for the help. The meeting ended with a fresh commitment and renewed passion on all sides to help support student recruitment efforts. We are currently all working together and collaborating to ensure a smooth student recruitment season for next year.

 

Main Takeaways/Good practices

 

 

1. Understanding and meeting the numerical goals of the district is key to saving programs

If the program is in danger due to low enrollment, then increasing enrollment is high priority. Likewise if the program is going to be closed because a teacher retired and they can’t find a replacement, then filling that job position is high priority. In Verdugo Woodlands’ case, the program was not downsized or cut because enrollment thresholds were met.

2. Meeting the district’s numerical goals requires collaboration from many groups

The Verdugo Woodlands teachers, principal, JDLI parents, JFLA, the consulate, and more came together to boost enrollment numbers and share the importance of the program with the district leaders. We shared information about key events (tours, board meetings, etc.) together, attended school tours and board meetings together, shared flyers on our respective social media pages together, and sat down and discussed student enrollment/recruiting together with the district leaders.

3. Understanding key dates is central to forming an advocacy plan

Some key dates to consider: school tours, school board meetings, enrollment deadlines, budget decision deadlines, etc. When planning how to best support the program, keep these dates in mind as acting before key decisions have been made is better than acting after.

4. Receive support from JFLA and your local consulate

When JFLA and the LA consulate visited Verdugo Woodlands in May 2026, an important priority was establishing relations and communications with key decision-makers. By doing so, it makes it easier to understand what’s going on with the program and what can be done to more effectively support it. As relationships deepen, programs are strengthened. If you feel your program is in trouble, please reach out to JFLA and your local consulate.

Points of contact:
JFLA Advocacy: jared_mcclellan@jpf.go.jp

Japan Consulate list (US): https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/consulate-guide.html

5. School tours are a good opportunity to “sell” the program to prospective parents

Parents that show up for school tours to hear about programs have already demonstrated interest in signing up. Encouraging them to finalize their sign up and answering their questions about studying Japanese can help overcome any initial reservations they may have about joining.