Program Model

We will be using the 90:10 Program Model. The first number ‘90’ refers to the percentage of instructional time initially spent for instruction in the target language (Spanish) in Kindergarten. The second number ‘10’ refers to English. In the 90:10 model, the amount of the target language decreases yearly as English increases until there is a 50:50 balance of the languages generally in grades four through six.

Program Goals

• Bilingualism and Biliteracy: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing proficiency in both Spanish and English
• Academic Excellence: Academic excellence in all subject areas, meeting or exceeding district and state standards
• Sociocultural Competence: Positive self-identities, cross-cultural competence, and agents for social change

Program Features and Benefits

• Empowers students to achieve the highest academic, social, and linguistic skills furthering their access to future educational and economic success.
• Students are instructed according to the Common Core Content Standards for grade-level competencies in all subject areas in both English and Spanish.
• Learning a second language stimulates the brain to develop higher-level reasoning skills, which transfer to complex critical thinking in math, science, and language arts.
• Children who are educated in two languages have stronger self-esteem with more tolerance for, and more interest in, other cultures.

Enrollment

Petaluma City Schools has launched the enrollment process for the 2022-23 school year. Families who would like to enroll in the Spanish Dual Language Program can do so through the PCS enrollment process.

Enrollment details:

• Now enrolling kindergarten students for 2022-2023
• Priority is given to students in McDowell’s attendance area
• If interest exceeds capacity, enrollment will be determined by lottery
• Commitment to K-6 dual language immersion program
• Must begin the program in kindergarten