Overview
At Willow Cove Elementary School, we have two distinct programs. Both programs adhere to the California State Standards. Instruction includes core language arts and mathematics, social studies, and science. Special instruction is presented in physical education and music. Support classes and instruction are provided in special education when testing and meetings indicate the need.
The first program is presented in English. Students whose parents indicate their children were brought up in a family speaking a language other than English are offered an additional class in English Language Development. These classes are grouped by level so that beginning English speakers receive instruction at their level; intermediate and advanced English speakers also receive appropriate instruction in English. Additionally, students who are not identified English Language Learners are grouped together and work on language skills during ELD time.
Our second program, the Dual Immersion program integrates language minority students (English Learners) and language majority students (proficient English speakers) for the purpose of developing bilingualism, biliteracy and biculturalism. In grades K-2 the language of instruction is predominately Spanish. Once students have attained proficiency in reading and writing in Spanish they are transitioned to English reading. In grades 4 and 5 classwork is 50% in English and 50% in Spanish.
The benefits of Dual Immersion are many. For native Spanish speakers the program offers a change to succeed academically in a familiar language while learning English. For native English speakers the program offers an opportunity to learn Spanish. Studies nation-wide confirm that Dual Immersion students can be expected to outperform students in English only programs and data from Willow Cove Elementary School certainly supports this.
Willow Cove invites any interested parent to come in for more information on the Dual Immersion Program.
Willow Cove Elementary has shown progress over the past several years on the State of California’s Academic Performance Index (API), which measures a school’s academic performance and growth:
