About DI

A Unique Learning Environment

In the DI program, native English-speaking students and native Spanish-speaking students learn together in the same classroom, interacting and developing language sills together. The teachers follow the same standards-based instructional curriculum as the district's English-only classes. In the early grades (K-2), students are taught primarily in Spanish. By the 5th grade, instruction is primarily in English in preparation for middle school. In the DI program, students achieve proficiency in all academic subjects while becoming bilingual and biliterate.

Outstanding Teachers

The teachers in our program have special training for Dual Immersion in addition to the state required classroom training. All DI teachers are highly qualified in language acquisition, language instruction, state standards and grade level content. The teachers are dedicated, creative and constantly explore new and exciting ways to teach. They are leaders in the integration of technology into the curriculum and have received several awards for their work. Our teachers come from many backgrounds; some are native Spanish speakers and others learned Spanish as a second language.

Benefits Beyond a Second Language

The remodeled school offers a computer lab, large bilingual library and a hands-on teaching garden. Art, music, physical education are all part of the school curriculum and are each taught by specialized teachers. Extra-curricular programs such as folkloric dance, chorus, chess club, soccer and others are available on campus. Through a unique partnership with Hidden Villa Nature Preserve students can study nature, animals and the environment. Students also participate in educational field trips and enjoy Castro's visiting guest speakers, artists and performers.

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