Dual Language Immersion

Ocean View School District Dual Language Immersion Program

The Ocean View School District is proud to offer a Spanish Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program designed to promote bilingualism, biliteracy, and cross-cultural competency. DLI classrooms consist of a balanced mix of English-dominant and Spanish-dominant students. This model supports optimal peer interaction and language development in both languages. Students are not required to understand or speak both languages upon entering the program. Instead, the curriculum is designed to develop speaking, reading, and writing skills in Spanish while maintaining high academic achievement in English.

What does the research show?

Research shows that students in Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs often outperform their peers in English-only programs. They tend to have higher self-esteem, stronger academic skills, and greater motivation. DLI students are also better prepared for the global job market, where knowing a second language often offers a clear advantage. Studies highlight that the program is most effective when students start in kindergarten and continue for extended amounts of time, between 5-7 years, allowing them to develop strong language skills and academic success in both English and Spanish.

What is the program model?

In Ocean View School District, students in the Spanish Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program receive the same academic curriculum and are held to the same state standards as all other students. Entry into the program begins at the kindergarten level, and families are asked to commit through 8th grade to ensure the full benefits of bilingualism and biliteracy. The program follows a 90:10 model, meaning that in kindergarten, 90% of instruction is in Spanish and 10% is in English. As students progress through the grades, the amount of English instruction gradually increases each year until instruction is balanced at 50% Spanish and 50% English in grades 4 and 5. This model is designed to support strong academic achievement while developing fluency in both languages.

Harbour View Elementary School

Harbour View Elementary School is currently in its seventh year of offering the DLI program. It serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade. Over the years, the program has gained a strong reputation for its quality and effectiveness, attracting families from across the district who are interested in a bilingual educational experience for their children.

Golden View Elementary School

Due to increased interest and the success of the program at Harbour View, the District expanded the DLI program to Golden View Elementary School beginning in the 2025–2026 school year. In its first year at Golden View, the program offered DLI to kindergarten students only. Each subsequent year, the program will add one grade level as the initial cohort advances.

For example, in the 2025–2026 school year, the District offered kindergarten. In the 2026-2027 school year, the program will expand to include both kindergarten and first grade. This gradual expansion will continue each year until the program encompasses the full range of elementary grades. This phased implementation enables a thoughtful and well-supported rollout, ensuring consistency and high-quality instruction as the program expands.

Middle School Continuity and Future Opportunities

Students who complete the elementary DLI program will have the opportunity to continue their bilingual education at Mesa View Middle School. Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, Mesa View offers two courses for DLI students: a Spanish History/Social Science course and a Spanish DLI elective. Both courses are conducted entirely in Spanish, allowing students to further develop their academic language proficiency.

The goal of the middle school DLI pathway is to prepare students for advanced coursework in high school and, ultimately, to earn the California Seal of Biliteracy. This distinction recognizes students who have attained a high level of proficiency in two or more languages and serves as a valuable credential for college admissions and future career opportunities.

Enrollment and Additional Information

Families interested in providing their children with the opportunity to become bilingual, biliterate, and culturally fluent are encouraged to explore the DLI program at either Harbour View or Golden View Elementary. The program is open to all students, regardless of their home language background. Additional information about enrollment procedures and program details is available through each school site and the Ocean View School District Teaching & Learning office.

The Dual Language Immersion program is a long-term educational investment that supports academic achievement, language development, and cultural understanding. We welcome all families to consider joining this dynamic and enriching learning experience.

Golden View Elementary

Golden View Elementary School: A Unique Learning Experience
Golden View Elementary offers students a rich, engaging educational environment grounded in environmental stewardship and hands-on learning. The school integrates California’s Environmental Principles and Concepts across all subject areas, providing students with meaningful, real-world learning experiences. Through activities such as caring for farm animals, gardening, composting, and practicing sustainability, students develop a deep connection to their environment. Golden View also offers a variety of after-school enrichment clubs including Nature, Chess, and Cooking. Supported by a strong PTO, the school fosters a close-knit, family-oriented atmosphere and an active community of learners committed to success for all students.

Harbour View Elementary

Harbour View Elementary School: A Thriving Learning Community
Harbour View Elementary offers a welcoming and enriching environment where students grow academically, socially, and culturally. One of the school’s signature programs is its well-established Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, which promotes bilingualism and biliteracy in English and Spanish. In addition, all K–5 students receive Spanish introduction lessons, broadening their global awareness. Supported by a highly dedicated staff and an active PTA, Harbour View provides a strong sense of community, academic excellence, and opportunities for every child to succeed and thrive.

Mesa View Middle School

Mesa View Middle School serves students in grades 6–8 and offers a dynamic learning environment that supports academic achievement, personal growth, and successful transitions to high school. With a diverse student population, Mesa View is home to the District’s GATE Magnet Program, an Honors Program, advanced math pathways, literacy intervention services, and a range of special education support.

Sixth graders benefit from a team-teaching model that eases the move from elementary to middle school, and all students experience a daily schedule with core academic subjects and a wide variety of electives such as robotics, performing arts, band, Spanish, and more.

Students are welcomed through the WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) mentoring program, which connects incoming sixth graders with trained 7th and 8th grade leaders for peer support throughout the year. Technology-rich classrooms, exploratory electives, and engaging programs ensure that every student finds opportunities to thrive, explore their interests, and prepare for success in high school and beyond.

Interest Form Information

The Interest Form is currently closed and will open January 30, 2026. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Liliana Montes at lmontes@ovsd.org or 714-847-2551 ext. 1302.

Late Entry

Requesting entrance into the Dual Language Immersion program after Kindergarten is referred to as “late entry.” Late entry is possible at any grade if space is available and if the student meets language proficiency requirements. To ensure student success, the student must meet grade level academic skills in their native language and meet the minimum oral and written language proficiency requirements in Spanish. To determine whether your student meets the minimum Spanish language proficiency requirements, school personnel will schedule an assessment after the Interest Form is completed.

For more information, please contact Teaching and Learning Department Clerical Specialist-Bilingual, Liliana Montes, at lmontes@ovsd.org or 714-847-2551 ext. 1302.

Spanish Dual Language Immersion Brochure

Ocean View School District Brochure For Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program

OVSD Spanish Dual Language Immersion Brochure (Spanish Version)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are school pick up and drop off times?

Golden View's start time is 8:15 am Monday - Friday. Grades K-3 dismissal is 2:05 pm while Grades 4-5 dismissal is 3:05 pm. Wednesdays are modified days and dismissal is 12:35 pm.

Harbour View's start time is 8:45 am Monday - Friday. Grades K-3 dismissal is 2:35 pm while Grades 4-5 dismissal is 3:35 pm. Wednesdays are modified days and dismissal is 1:05 pm.

Mesa View's start time is 8:30 am Monday - Friday. Dismissal is 2:55 pm. One Thursday per month is modified and dismissal is 12:50 pm.

Is before and after school child care available?

How many students will be in the class(es)?

How do I sign my student up for the DLI program?

My child is entering a different grade level than other than Kindergarten. May they be accepted into another grade level?

Requesting entrance into the Dual Language Immersion program after kindergarten is referred to as “late entry.” Late entry is possible at any grade if space is available and if the student meets language proficiency requirements. To ensure student success, the student must meet grade level academic skills in their native language and meet the minimum oral and written language proficiency requirements. To determine whether your student meets the minimum language proficiency requirements, school personnel will provide an assessment. For more information, please contact Teaching and Learning Department Clerical Specialist-Bilingual, Liliana Montes, at lmontes@ovsd.org or 714-847-2551 ext. 1302.

Can parents volunteer in the classroom?

Will there be a separate teacher for Spanish and English or does the same teacher be using both languages?

Elementary school teachers are Bilingual, Cross-Cultural, Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) credentialed and will teach in both English and Spanish.

Mesa View students will receive instruction for History Social Sciences and the DLI Elective by a Bilingual, Cross-Cultural, Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) credentialed teacher and will teach solely in Spanish for those two classes. All other content areas will be taught in English.

How will Spanish speakers benefit if they are only learning 10% English in Kindergarten?

In a 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 and five. English time is carefully defined and implemented in the dual immersion classroom. High quality curriculum and instruction will provide the content for English instruction. Research shows that when programs are fully implemented according to the program design, English learners in 90:10 models score as well as or better than their peers in other programs in English tests. (Lindholm-Leary, (2001)Dual Language Education, Multilingual Matters LTD)

What does research show about native Spanish speakers and native English speakers in a Dual Language Program?

Research has shown that young children have the capacity to learn multiple languages and have demonstrated stronger cognitive abilities as a result (Hakuta,1990). According to a study by Peal and Lambert, "bilinguals have greater mental flexibility, greater abstract thinking, greater lexical independence, superior concept formulation and higher verbal IQ than monolinguals."