Program History, Demographics and ObjectivesPiloted in 2008, the Dual Language Program at Aldama Elementary is in its 4th year of implementation. Our grade level span is K-3, and our objective is for students to become fluent in all four language domains by 6th grade in both English and Spanish.
History of Program
2008 saw the first year of the Dual Language program at Aldama Elementary School with two Dual Language Kindergarten classes. With growing interest from the community, Aldama worked with the district to begin this exciting, challenging, and rewarding program that teaches students elementary school curriculum in both Spanish and English. Students ideally enter this program in Kindergarten and continue with the same cohort of students through the sixth grade. Two classes will be taught at the lower grades and then, potentially, will combine into one class in the upper grades. This provides not only a fantastic opportunity to learn a language when developing brains are most amenable to language acquisition, but it also creates space to build a community of families that will see these children through all of their elementary education. With its educational and cultural advantages, Dual Language has become a very popular educational program across the country -- and in the greater Los Angeles area in particular. During the spring when Kindergarten tours and enrollment take place, it is not uncommon to see families of prospective students lined up on the steps of the school beginning at 5 a.m. hoping to get into Aldama's Dual Language program! Aldama's Dual Language program currently houses students between Kindergarten and third grade. Teachers have been well trained in various innovative teaching techniques and theories including CGI math, Readers and Writers Workshop, GLAD strategies, and specialty foreign language workshops. We look forward to our program continuing to grow and flourish in our community! Geographical OrientationAldama is in Highland Park, California. Highland Park is located along the Arroyo Seco. It is situated within what was once Rancho San Rafael of the Spanish/Mexican era. Its boundaries are roughly the Pasadena Freeway (California Route 110) and the city limits of South Pasadena on the southeast, the city limits of Pasadena on the east, Oak Grove Drive on the north, and Avenue 50/51 on the west. The district's neighbors include Mt. Washington to the southwest, Montecito Heights to the south, Hermon and Monterey Hills to the southeast, Pasadena and South Pasadena to the northeast, Eagle Rock to the north, and Glassell Park to the west. Primary thoroughfares include York Boulevard, Avenues 50, 54, and 64, Monte Vista Street, and Figueroa Street.
School/Program Make-up by Language and Population
DUAL LANGUAGE REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Program ObjectivesDual language programs (also known as two-way immersion programs) allow English learners and English proficient students to receive instruction in English and a target language in the same classroom to develop academic proficiency in both languages beginning in kindergarten for a minimum of six years. Document Actions
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