Engaging Hearts, Equipping Minds
About Atlas Immersion Academy in Hillsboro
Family-owned since 2010, Atlas Immersion Academy has grown from one French immersion childcare center, to now five different Language Immersion-based Child Development Centers in the greater Portland metro area. At our Silicon Forest location, opened in 2021, we care for children from 3 months to 12 years old, and offer language immersion tracks for French, Spanish, and Mandarin languages.
In Atlas classrooms, the foundation for the immersion learning is…
Set through the physical environment, including books, visual aids, games and other materials from the target language/cultures.
Delivered through a native or near-native speaking teacher who engages with the children.
Aided by our well-tuned in-house curriculum, which is built upon years of experience and aligned to Oregon’s Early Learning Standards
This framework ensures cohesion, engaging learners and maximizing their potential with the new language, as well as all other areas of early childhood learning.
Our Mission
To raise the next generation of culturally and linguistically competent global citizens, through language immersion early childhood education.
About Our Silicon Forest Location
When you visit us here at Atlas Immersion Academy, Silicon Forest, you’ll see firsthand what makes us different!
Beautiful Classrooms Create A Centered Day
Your child is in a perfect space for learning, playing, and socializing with their classmates. Self-contained classrooms equipped with conveniently placed bathrooms mean your child feels right at home and has what they need.
Play Structures Help Develop Your Child’s Motor Skills
Children have outside time every day, keeping them physically active and giving them time to interact with their friends. Exciting play structures and a big toy setup allow them to explore, run, and sprint with freedom.
A Small Indoor Gym Keeps Them Moving
Play continues indoors! Children have a small gym inside the center that allows them to play with their friends no matter the weather. They stay active and energized in between their learning in a safe and fun environment.
Worry-Free Parking For Easy Pick-Up
Parking is a breeze at drop off and dismissal. Never worry about finding a parking spot because there’s plenty of space, and your kiddo is always safe in the parking area and around cars.
A Special Area Just For Parents
Feel welcomed and right at home when you drop off or pick up your child. The center has a cozy waiting area so you can have a sip of coffee, socialize with other parents, and regroup during the day.
Get Our Free Parent Pack
We’d love to send you a FREE parent pack, full of helpful information about Atlas Immersion Academy…
Who We Are
After seeing how easily young children are able to learn multiple languages, and knowing the benefits gained by being able to communicate across cultures and linguistic boundaries, Atlas owners Dory and Jarod Hobbs, who both speak French as a non-native language, chose to immerse their own children in French at home.
When Dory’s personal search for a French immersion childcare accepting infants and toddlers turned up fruitless in 2010, she decided to lay the groundwork for opening a language immersion childcare center of her own. At the time she was teaching French at Portland Community College and needed care for her two young sons.
To Dory, who has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for language immersion, it was inconceivable that all French language immersion options in Portland began at age 3! “By age 3, kids are already jabbering away in their first language!” she thought.
Fortunately, through a combination of previous college and graduate school coursework, lots of hard work and determination, and the support of her husband, Jarod, in 2011 Dory’s dream of opening up a language immersion childcare center came true at Atlas Gabriel Park.
Since then, Atlas Immersion Academy has opened four more centers, adding Spanish and Mandarin to our programs.
Atlas believes our innovative approach gives children a bright and positive start in life, encouraging both exploration and discovery as well as emotional intelligence and friendship building. Immersing children in language and creating an anti-bias curriculum that covers the world’s varied and beautiful cultures supports them as they grow into conscientious people who embrace the differences that make us each unique.
Want to know how language can impact early childhood? Download our FREE guide
with free language activity sheets!
Language immersion does far more than teach a child to speak in another language. It transforms the way they think, learn, and relate to the world around them.
In this guide, you’ll find insights on the powerful role language plays in your child’s early development, along with activity sheets in French, Spanish, and Mandarin.
What to Expect from Atlas Immersion Academy
Our mission is to provide the highest quality care in Portland and raise the next generation of culturally and linguistically competent global citizens, through language immersion early childhood education.
As part of our commitment, we provide all of our children with:
Enriching activities such as music, yoga, and dancing, all included as part of our regular learning program, teach self-expression and spark joy.
Events that allow children to learn about the whole world. We believe in an “all holidays” approach rather than “no holidays,” so expect many celebrations where you can partake with your child, meet other parents and staff, and have fun.
Tuition covers diapers and wipes, so you have one less thing to worry about or remember on busy mornings.
Healthy, home-cooked snacks each day that meet dietary restrictions such as gluten- and dairy-free.
Outdoor play that teaches little ones how to respect and interact with nature in a meaningful way.
A diverse, all-inclusive environment where all cultures and traditions are honored and respected.
We would be thrilled to have you join our Atlas family in Silicon Forest. Contact us with any questions at
971-238-9838 or click the button below to schedule a tour!
