Immersion schools in San Diego | Schools in Your Area | Forum

First, the disclaimer: I am a TEACHER in a bilingual immersion program, so bias assumed and duly noted…

1. I work at Longfellow Spanish Immersion School (Escuela Longfellow, K-8) in San Diego Unified School District.  The program is a one-way Spanish immersion program, which means it's intended for English speakers to learn Spanish.  Kindergarten-2nd grade are 100% in Spanish, with English gradually added beginning in 3rd grade; in grades 6-8 students take 2 classes in Spanish– Spanish Language Arts, and History.
2. My son attends the Language Academy (K-8) in San Diego Unified School District. Their Spanish program is a two-way dual immersion program, where 50% of incoming kindergarteners are native Spanish-speakers, and 50% are native English-speakers.  Otherwise their program is similar to Longfellow's, described above.  My son attends the FRENCH immersion program there, which mirrors Longfellow's Spanish program described above, but in French.
3. I previously worked at Sherman Elementary (K-5) in San Diego Unified School District.  The school was rebuilt and reopened in 2008 as a dual-immersion school with a 50-50 program, meaning that 50% of the day is taught in English, and 50% is taught in Spanish.  The majority of students are Hispanic, but not native Spanish-speakers.  Many live in bilingual homes.
4. There are a number of other immersion schools for Spanish in Chula Vista and South Bay districts, and this year San Ysidro has started dual immersion programs in most or all of their elementary schools.  There are also two private French immersion schools.
5. Einstein Academy (charter school, K-8) has a GERMAN immersion program, where students have one week in English and one week in German.  It is located in South Park, near downdown.

Feel free to contact me with questions on any of the above and I will tell you what I know!

Dear Berzunza – For Escuela Longfellow, is there a lottery involved for admission, or do you just need to live in the neighborhood?

Also, do you know of any private schools in the greater San Diego area (Kindergarten onward) that are Spanish immersion schools for English speakers to learn Spanish?

Janet

janetnmv@hotmail.com

Also look into Riverview Elementary/International Academy in Lakeside.  It's a charter school in the Lakeside Unified School District.  It's also a 100% one-way Spanish immersion program since 2006.  They have a mandarin immersion as well.

I agree with the above post.  If you really are passionate about the program – make it known.  I called all of the time almost begging them to take my daughter in their school.  I also offered to tutor her to get her ready since she was starting the program in 1st grade (one year late).  There is a long waiting list but the program is talking of expanding due to such great demand.

I can tell you this school is amazing and the kids learn so quickly it's incredible.  The principal is an amazing leader and is passionate about the future of this program.

Good luck!

I apologize for not replying to earlier posts… I did not see them until now.

1) I have a friend whose kids go to Hedankamp (sp?) and do very well there.  Mom is very happy with the school.

2) As someone else noted, Longfellow does have a lottery, but persistance (and patience!) do pay off.

3) There is a private school, Bonita Learning Academy, that does Spanish immersion, but I don´t know if they go beyond K or maybe 1st grade.  I am not aware of any others.

4) Yes, Lakeside´s school has a good reputation.

5) As noted above, I teach in one /in Spanish) and have kids in another, (not in Spanish).  If you are in San Diego Unified, you have 2 good options: Language Academy and Longfellow.  If your kids are Spanish speakers, then Language Academy may be the more appropriate choice.  If not, then either one is good.  The vibe is a bit different, so you should take a tour (or 2 or 3) at each to decide which feels better, and apply to both.  You also have quite a different option of a 50/50 program at Sherman, which is just east of downtown.  Oh, and if you come to Longfellow, be sure to stop by my classroom– Middle School History!

6) Addendum: MANDARIN immersion program at Barnard Elementary in San Diego Unified– has a great reputation from what I´ve heard, but I haven´t had a chance to visit.

Good luck!

Thanks! My husband and I will be touring Longfellow on the 28th of this month, so we'll look for your class. We live in Normal Heights, so the Language Academy and Longfellow make the most sense for us in terms of proximity. I know the Language Academy uses a 50/50 model for Spanish. Our daughter speaks English only. I'm trying to research the benefits of a 50/50 model vs. full immersion and haven't found any clear answers yet. If anyone knows of any research on this that's accessible, I'd be grateful for any info.

Thanks again!

Hi Kimberly,

My son is 4 years old and this Sept. 2012 he will be attending kinder garden.  We live in Carmel Valley and don't know of any schools near by that have a Spanish immersion program.  Do you know of any near me?  A friend of mine has her daughter attending a school with this program in Encinitas and she highly recommends it.  I'm Latina with Spanish as my first language and married to an English-language speaking husband.  I really want my son to be fluent in Spanish!  Any suggestions you may have will be greatly appreciated.  Thank You!

I live in National City, on the boarder of Paradise Valley. I REALLY want my son in an immersion program rather then the bilingual program. I'm having a really hard time finding a school in National City that offers it. Any suggestions?

Hi I have a 4 yr old boy and a 2 yr old girl . I am looking for a best french immersion school in San Diego . Currently we live in Toronto, Canada . but will be shifting to San Diego this year .. so was wondering if i have to take admission for the next year for my boy now . If so, currently he is going to french montessori private school .. and i would like to continue his Sr. kindergarden studies to be in a french immersion school as a continuition .. and later can think of other languages . Can anyone please give me the relevant information ?!! 

All other parents were asking about spanish immersion and mandarin immersion ..so i was even wondering if there would be any good french immersion schools in San Diego or not .. 

Kimberly de Berzunza said:

First, the disclaimer: I am a TEACHER in a bilingual immersion program, so bias assumed and duly noted…

1. I work at Longfellow Spanish Immersion School (Escuela Longfellow, K-8) in San Diego Unified School District.  The program is a one-way Spanish immersion program, which means it's intended for English speakers to learn Spanish.  Kindergarten-2nd grade are 100% in Spanish, with English gradually added beginning in 3rd grade; in grades 6-8 students take 2 classes in Spanish– Spanish Language Arts, and History.
2. My son attends the Language Academy (K-8) in San Diego Unified School District. Their Spanish program is a two-way dual immersion program, where 50% of incoming kindergarteners are native Spanish-speakers, and 50% are native English-speakers.  Otherwise their program is similar to Longfellow's, described above.  My son attends the FRENCH immersion program there, which mirrors Longfellow's Spanish program described above, but in French.
3. I previously worked at Sherman Elementary (K-5) in San Diego Unified School District.  The school was rebuilt and reopened in 2008 as a dual-immersion school with a 50-50 program, meaning that 50% of the day is taught in English, and 50% is taught in Spanish.  The majority of students are Hispanic, but not native Spanish-speakers.  Many live in bilingual homes.
4. There are a number of other immersion schools for Spanish in Chula Vista and South Bay districts, and this year San Ysidro has started dual immersion programs in most or all of their elementary schools.  There are also two private French immersion schools.
5. Einstein Academy (charter school, K-8) has a GERMAN immersion program, where students have one week in English and one week in German.  It is located in South Park, near downdown.

Feel free to contact me with questions on any of the above and I will tell you what I know!

Jamacha Elementary is located in the Rancho San Diego area of El Cajon and will be (hopefully) starting a one-way language immersion program 2012-2013 school year – language will be Spanish. They are proposing a 90/10 model, with Spanish being spoken 90%/English 10% of the time in kindergarten, working towards a 50/50 model by 4th/5th grade.  Students will need to be fluent speakers of English, not ELL students. It is an excellent school and I believe if the school board agrees with the recommendation, it'll be a great program.  They are also proposing a 50/50 language immersion model at Magnolia Elementary in El Cajon. 50% of the class will be comprised of Spanish speakers and 50% speakers of English.

If you are interested in either of these programs, you can contact the Cajon Valley Union School District office or the principal's at either school.  In addition, there will be a community information meeting at Jamacha on February 9th at 6:00 to present the program highlights, hear questions and concerns. 

And yes, I am affiliated with the school but am not at liberty to disclose my relationship/position. 

Kimberly,

   Do you know if Longfellow offers carpooling for families? We live in Oceanside and would love for our child to attend Longfellow, but my husband and I work full time….I don't know of any other options for spanish immersion in North County.  Encinitas has a school but they will not accept anyone from outside their district :0(