Spanish Immersion

Students in Pre K-1st grade receive 80% of their instruction in Spanish and 20% in English. Each year, thereafter, English is gradually increased into the program. By 4th and 5th grade, instructional time will be 50% divided in both Languages

The K - 5 Immersion Program is located at Hatch Elementary School. Hatch also has a traditional program on the same campus where traditional and Immersion classes integrate in various arenas.

Recognizing the importance of global students and the need to teach skills to prepare for a global economy, the Two-Way Bilingual Immersion program provides an immersion model for English-speaking students and a bilingual model for Spanish-speaking students. It is an “additive bilingual” program, meaning that all students learn in both languages.

Emphasis on Spanish instruction in the early grades allows English speakers extensive exposure to Spanish. Spanish speakers learn their second Language-English without compromising their first language, and with the benefit of primary language support as they learn necessary skills.

Spanish and English instruction is always kept separate, allowing for maximized concentration of both languages. Heterogeneous groupings during the Spanish and English portions of the day provide students with opportunities to assist and learn from one another, allowing second language acquisition to occur naturally. 

Students whose primary language is not English will receive ELD (English Language Development) instruction. This instruction is 30 minutes daily. Teachers will explicitly instruct students in English to reach academic goals of their second language in the four domains of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students are grouped based on their ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessment for California) levels, and no more than two levels per group. Teachers will be using the English curriculum, which is aligned with the current ELA (English Language Art) curriculum. English Learners will receive Integrated ELD instruction (all content areas) and designated ELD instruction (30 minutes daily).

Students truly learn from one another, developing high levels of confidence and self-esteem through their study of two languages. Learning comes alive as the beauty of both languages is explored through literature. The goals for the students are to:

• Develop fluency and literacy in Spanish and English
• Achieve proficiency in all academic subjects
• Cultivate an appreciation of other cultures, and develop positive attitudes toward fellow students, their families and community
• Prepare for Advanced Placement Spanish Test
• Seal of Biliteracy Award (High School)

English speakers may enter at the Kindergarten or first grade levels. Spanish speakers may enter at K, first or second grade. Bilingual students may be admitted at any grade level depending on their level of literacy in Spanish and their oral English proficiency. Skills will be assessed by Immersion Teachers. 

Spanish Immersion Program instructors are credentialed bilingual teachers with native-like fluency in Spanish. Resource teachers and Amity Interns also provide support. 

Sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students continue their immersion coursework by participating in the new Spanish Language Arts core class (2 periods) during the regular school day. These classes cover the same grade-level standards that are taught in the mainstream English Language Arts; however, they are conducted in both English and Spanish. Students are placed in these classes pending various assessments and their academic records. 

* An exiting 8th-grade student will have the ability to read novels in Spanish and be familiar with conventions of Spanish grammar, in addition to understanding the grade-level Common Core standards for Language Arts. Additionally, an 8th-grade student will have an understanding of a variety of cultures and be able to converse fluently in English and Spanish.

Spanish Language Arts at Cunha

At Half Moon Bay High School (HMBHS), students typically join the Spanish for Spanish Speakers levels I and II based on the Spanish placement exam administered as 8th graders in the spring of the year prior to their attendance at HMBHS. These classes are taught in Spanish and cover reading, writing, and grammar skills at a higher level to prepare students for AP courses their following year. The College Board reserves AP-level courses for advanced students, requiring not just strong language skills but also higher-level thinking and interpretation skills typically not developed until high school. Rarely, students with exceptional skills in all areas may be allowed to test into the course their first year. 

Exiting students who are fluent speakers, readers, and writers of both English and Spanish will receive the Seal of Biliteracy. This award is in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation.

What is the Seal of Biliteracy?

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school district in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation.

Why Implement it?

The Seal of Biliteracy encourages students to pursue biliteracy, honors the skills our students attain, and can be evidence of skills that are attractive to future employers and college admissions offices.