The Hueneme Elementary School District is proud to expand our Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs, grounded in research and aligned with the Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education (Third Edition). These guiding principles reflect evidence-based practices in seven key areas that research shows are essential for successful dual language programs.
Our goal is for every student to develop bilingualism, biliteracy, and sociocultural competence — meaning students communicate in two languages, achieve academically, and grow in understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures. (Center for Applied Linguistics -)
Why Choose Dual Language Immersion?
Dual Language Immersion is an additive approach to language learning that strengthens a child’s native language while adding a second one. High-quality DLI has been shown to:
Support Strong Academic Achievement
Students often meet or exceed academic benchmarks in reading, writing, math, and content areas while developing language proficiency in both languages.
Promote Bilingualism and Biliteracy
Research highlights that learning to read, write, speak, and think in two languages enhances language awareness and literacy skills across both languages.
Build Sociocultural Competence
DLI prepares students to understand and engage respectfully with diverse cultural perspectives — a core focus of dual language education.
Our Instructional Models
We offer two high-quality DLI models that reflect best practices from dual language research:
90:10 Model — Sequential Biliteracy Development
Begins with about 90% instruction in Spanish and 10% in English.
English instruction increases gradually each year until a balanced 50/50 split in upper elementary.
This model supports early confidence and literacy in Spanish, the partner language, while building toward strong English proficiency.
Offered at: Ansgar Larsen Elementary • Sunkist Elementary • Haycox Elementary
50:50 Model — Simultaneous Biliteracy Development
Students receive instruction in English and Spanish equally (50/50) at all grade levels.
Content and language skills are intentionally connected across both languages.
Students build concepts in one language and extend them in the other, deepening understanding.
Offered at: Richard Bard Elementary • Parkview Elementary • E.O. Green Junior High
DLI Program Locations
Ansgar Larsen Elementary (K–5) – 90:10 Model
Sunkist Elementary (K–5) – 90:10 Model
Haycox Elementary (K–5) – 90:10 Model (Launching in 2026-2027!)
Richard Bard Elementary (K–5) – 50:50 Model
Parkview Elementary (K–5) – 50:50 Model
E.O. Green Junior High (6–8) – 50:50 Model
Partnering with Families and Community
The Guiding Principles highlight the importance of family and community engagement as central to successful dual language programs.
We are committed to:
Ongoing communication with families in the languages they use at home.
Providing resources to help parents support children’s language and academic development.
Partnering with families as advocates in their child’s education.
Assessment and Continuous Growth
Aligned with research and the Guiding Principles, our programs use fair and meaningful assessments in both languages to guide instruction and celebrate progress. Assessment is used to support learning — not merely to label students — and to help teachers plan instruction that meets every learner’s needs.