Palm Springs Unified expands Spanish dual immersion program showing steady enrollment growth

When Nathan Johnson encounters Spanish words while reading an English book in his seventh-grade class, he doesn’t skip over them or reach for a dictionary. Instead, the Raymond Cree Middle School student seamlessly translates the words, making the text easier to understand.

“Learning two languages helps me a lot in my classes,” Johnson told the Palm Springs Unified School District board at its regular meeting on Sept. 23. “If we are reading a book that is in English but there’s some words that are in Spanish, I am able to translate them.”

Johnson’s bilingual abilities extend far beyond the classroom. At grocery stores or other businesses, he can switch between languages depending on who he’s speaking with, a skill that will serve him well in his future career.

“Learning two languages helps me in the future for helping me get a job with better pay, and I can also get more pay on top of the better pay by knowing the second language,” Johnson said.

Johnson represents the success of Palm Springs Unified School District’s Spanish dual immersion program, which continues to expand across the district with steady enrollment growth and plans for further expansion.

The program, which launched in 2015 at Vista Del Monte Elementary School, now serves students at multiple campuses including Raymond Cree Middle School, Palm Springs High School and the recently added Two Bunch Palms Elementary School in Desert Hot Springs.

District officials presented enrollment data last week showing consistent growth and robust community interest in bilingual education. The program follows a 90/10 instructional model where 90% of instruction occurs in Spanish during primary grades, gradually transitioning to equal time in both languages by fifth grade.

“Our mission statement is to prepare students to excel academically in Spanish and English, to develop a lifelong love of learning and to become bilingual, bi literate and multi culturally competent leaders,” said Mark Arnold, executive director of student learning.

The program’s expansion to Desert Hot Springs came after an interest survey sent to families with preschool and elementary age students received 80 responses, with 85% expressing strong interest in dual language education.

Jayro Alcantar Armenta, dual immersion teacher on special assignment, explained that students who complete the program often outperform monolingual peers on state tests and develop advantages including higher average salaries and greater career opportunities. Students continue the pathway through middle school and can earn college credit and the state Seal of Biliteracy by graduation.

The district uses specialized Spanish curricula including Maravillas for language arts, Amplified Science and Bridges mathematics. Teachers with bilingual credentials lead instruction, though Arnold acknowledged finding qualified bilingual educators remains challenging, particularly in science content areas.

For Johnson, the program has opened doors he encourages other students to pursue.

“Some advice I would give to students who are just starting their first year in kindergarten is pay attention throughout your whole time in the dual immersion program, because it will help you get a better job, and you’ll be able to have more success in your lifetime,” he said.

Arnold noted the program has successfully retained most students throughout their educational journey, with very few dropping out as they advance through grade levels.

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