Music Language and Art
The name “Bagche” means “a small garden” in Farsi. Gardens are celebrated in Persian literature and culture as places to cultivate and reconnect with nature and one’s roots. The name “Bagche” was chosen for that reason and also to honor the legacy of a family that contributed immensely to children’s education, music and art: the “Baghtcheban family.” Today, we still listen to and marvel at the operatic creations of Samin and Evelyn Baghtcheban in our classes and wonder what we, as a community, can do—over forty years later—to reinvigorate and build upon the splendor of their ambitious work. Our goal is to provide a space for children to reconnect with the culture of their parents. In doing so, we celebrate the most revered aspects of the Iranian cultural heritage: the Persian language, poetry, philosophy and art; our festivals; our history of cultural tolerance and inclusion; and our respect for civil and ethical conduct among other things. We draw on these common grounds to find strength and promote cultural awareness and diversity within our community. We hope that Bagche would provide a prism through which children can understand and make informed conclusions about their heritage, identity, ethics and worldview.
What we do is two-fold: on one hand, we offer Farsi language classes for children and youth, and on the other hand, we hire and support the artistic endeavors of local Iranian artists and educators. In order to provide an effective, fun and well-rounded educational experience, we incorporate music, movement, art, and visual aids in every class. Finally, with an eye to the future, we hope to work with our local community and national organizations to design cultural awareness and youth leadership programs.
At Bagche, we are deeply committed to providing a transformative educational experience rooted in collaboration and expertise. Our curriculum reflects the values and missions of esteemed programs such as the Golestan Colab and the Iranian School of San Diego.
The Golestan Colab program exemplifies a commitment to global education by developing systems and materials in a shareable format, facilitating collaboration with educators worldwide. At Bagche, we embrace this ethos of giving back and supporting communities pro bono, ensuring that every child has access to quality education. By extending our reach beyond borders, we aim to create transformative educational experiences that transcend socioeconomic and geographic limitations.
The Iranian School of San Diego has been at the forefront of Persian language education for over three decades, refining methodologies to meet the unique needs of heritage students. Our language curriculum is deeply rooted in the expertise and dedication of the Iranian School of San Diego's Education Committee. Composed of teachers, staff, linguists, and language specialists, this committee has meticulously developed specialized curricula and textbooks aligned with the highest standards, including those set by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
Our curriculum adopts a content-based approach, providing students with diverse opportunities to develop their oral and written proficiencies across communicative modes. Emphasizing the five goal areas outlined by ACTFL—communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities—our curriculum fosters not only language acquisition but also cultural understanding and global citizenship.
Through our alignment with the Golestan Colab program's mission and the expertise of the Iranian School of San Diego, Bagche offers a holistic and enriching educational experience that empowers students to thrive in an interconnected world.