The latter option is also available for children whose parents do not want them in bilingual classes.

Another side says these children are being isolated and held back in bilingual classes.

About 150,000 students are assigned to the city's bilingual classes, according to board figures.

"But in a bilingual class, they're not afraid because everybody has the same problem, so it's one happy family."

Only 3,595 of the 12,921 eligible Chinese are in bilingual classes.

The goal is to move those proficient enough in English out of bilingual classes when they are ready.

More than 2,100 children, or 15 percent of District 3's students, took bilingual classes in 1993.

However, the number of children attending bilingual classes has risen 33% between 2006 and 2012 to 14,709.

Now parents will have to choose whether they want their child in a bilingual class.

Grades are from 5 to 12, bilingual classes and teaching starting in grade 7.