Spanish Immersion

The goals of the Spanish Immersion program are bilingualism and biliteracy, high levels of academic achievement in both languages, and positive cross-cultural attitudes. Considerable research states that the benefits of the Immersion Bilingual Program are educational, cognitive, sociocultural, and economic (Calderon & Carreon, 2000; Cloud et al., 2000)

• Bilingualism and biliteracy: Development of high levels of proficiency in the student’s first language and in the second language.
• High academic achievement: Perform at or above grade level in academic areas in both languages.
• Positive cross-cultural attitudes: Demonstrate positive cross-cultural attitudes and behaviors, and high levels of self-esteem.

To accomplish its goals, the program follows a unique instructional design in which Spanish-speaking and English-speaking students are combined in the same classroom, with at least one third of the students being native speakers of each language. Students will serve as language models to the other students as each group acquires the target language. Escondido follows a 90/10 Spanish Immersion model. This model emphasizes the use of Spanish in the early grades to provide a solid foundation for future academics. In kindergarten, 90% of classroom instruction is in Spanish. Instruction in English increases to 30% in the 3rd grade. By 5th grade, approximately half of the schoolwork is done in each language.

The state Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions are established to recognize students who have demonstrated progress toward proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English.

Starting in the 2026 school year, Escondido Elementary will begin recognizing students who have been enrolled in the Spanish Immersion Program with two pathway awards: the Biliteracy Program Participation Recognition and the Biliteracy Attainment Recognition.

As rising sixth grade students, all Escondido Spanish Immersion program participants will be awarded the Biliteracy Program Participation Recognition. As a recognition award, it is not based on a student’s proficiency in either target language rather as a recognition of their entry on the path to biliteracy. 

The Biliteracy Attainment Recognition will be awarded to all rising sixth graders, likewise enrolled in the Spanish Immersion Program, who have demonstrated they are approaching language proficiency in both English and Spanish in the four language domains: listening, speaking, reading and writing.  This second recognition, as stated, is aligned with the State Seal of Biliteracy requirements.  It serves as an indication that if a student continues on the same path in high school they will be prepared to meet the requirements to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy on their graduation diploma.