Skip To Main Content

Dual Language Immersion (DLI)

Welcome to the DLI Experience

Welcome to Vista Unified’s Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, where over 900 students thrive in a multilingual world. Our mission is to foster bilingualism, biliteracy, and sociocultural competence, preparing students for success in a global society. With pathways from TK through middle school and soon into high school, Vista Unified leads in creating 21st-century global citizens.

 Why Choose DLI?

Benefits of Dual Language Education:
  • Enhanced cognitive skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking.
  • Increased cultural awareness and appreciation of diversity.
  • Better preparation for a competitive global job market.

Who Can Apply?

  • English Learners: Students whose primary language is Spanish and are seeking to maintain and expand their linguistic abilities while gaining proficiency in English.
  • Native English Speakers: Students with an interest in becoming fluent in Spanish while maintaining high levels of proficiency in English.

Curriculum Highlights

90/10 Model: Alamosa Park
  • Core subjects primarily in Spanish through grade 3.
  • Gradual incorporation of English.
50/50 Model: Grapevine, Hannalei, and Madison
  • Equal instruction in both languages from day one.
  • Integrated, cross-disciplinary teaching.
Middle & High School Pathways
  • Advanced Spanish courses, including literature and history.
  • Preparation for the Seal of Biliteracy and college-level proficiency.

Family Resources

Community Events
  • Monthly Parent Nights.
  • DLI Informational Forums 
  • Annual DLI Showcase featuring student work.
Parent Committees
Get involved in shaping the program:
  • ELAC: English Learner Advisory Committee.
  • DELAC: District English Learner Advisory Committee.
  • DPAC: District Parent Advisory Committee
  • SSC: School Site Council

Celebrating Bilingual Excellence

Student Recognition:
  • Seal of Biliteracy: Recognizing proficiency in two languages.
  • Annual DLI Showcase to celebrate student achievements.
Statewide and Local Cultural Celebrations
  • Cinco de Mayo Celebrations: Parades, festivals, and performances in cities like San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, highlighting Mexican heritage.
  • Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead):
    • San Diego's Old Town Dia de los Muertos features altars, traditional music, and crafts.
    • Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles hosts one of the largest Day of the Dead celebrations in California.
  • Las Posadas: Community reenactments and holiday festivities in December, often hosted by local churches and cultural organizations.
  • Latin American Film Festival: Annual events like the San Diego Latino Film Festival and Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival celebrate Spanish-language cinema.
  • Fiesta del Sol: A free family festival in San Diego, celebrating Hispanic culture with live music, food, and art.
  • International Mariachi Festival: Held in National City, this event features talented mariachi bands, folkloric dances, and cultural exhibits.
  • Cultural Education and Learning Opportunities
  • California Missions Tour: Explore California’s Spanish heritage through the historic missions stretching from San Diego to Sonoma.
  • Balboa Park’s House of Spain (San Diego): Offers monthly events showcasing Spanish traditions, music, and art.
  • La Plaza de Cultura y Artes (Los Angeles): A museum dedicated to Mexican-American history, featuring interactive exhibits and cultural workshops.

What is Dual Language Immersion?

Dual Language Immersion (DLI) is a transformative educational approach where students learn in both English and Spanish, achieving fluency and academic excellence in two languages.
Program Goals:StudentsLearning
  • Bilingualism and Biliteracy: Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking in English and Spanish.
  • Academic Excellence: Meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
  • Sociocultural Competence: Appreciation and understanding of diverse cultures.
Research-Backed Benefits:
  • Enhanced cognitive flexibility and executive functioning.
  • Superior performance in English literacy.
  • Greater career opportunities in a global economy. 

Our DLI Schools

Elementary Schools
  • Alamosa Park Elementary (90/10 Model)
    • Grades: TK-5 
    • Comprehensive DLI Pathway: Alamosa Park Elementary offers a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program for students in grades TK-5, following a 90/10 model where Spanish is the primary language of instruction in early grades, gradually balancing with English by 5th grade.
  • Grapevine Elementary (50/50 Model)
    • Grades TK-5
    • 50/50 Model: Grapevine Elementary's Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program offers equal instruction in Spanish and English for students in grades TK-5.
    • Bilingual Goals: The program aims to develop bilingualism, biliteracy, and cultural competence among students.
    • Seal of Biliteracy Pathway: Participation in the DLI program provides a pathway for students to work toward earning the California Seal of Biliteracy upon high school graduation.
  • Hannalei Elementary (50/50 Model)
    • Grades TK-2 (Expanding to TK-5).
    • 50/50 Model: Hannalei Elementary's DLI program (TK-2) provides equal instruction in Spanish and English.
    • Bilingual Goals: Students develop bilingualism, biliteracy, and cultural competence.
    • Seal of Biliteracy Pathway: Prepares students for the California Seal of Biliteracy in high school.
Middle Schools
  • Madison Middle School (50/50 Model)
    • Grades 6-8
    • Spanish courses in Math, Social Studies, and Explore Lab.
Future Expansion:
  • Roosevelt Middle School: Launching 2025-26.
  • High School Pathways: Opening in 2027-28, offering advanced Spanish courses and the Seal of Biliteracy.

Three Pillars of DLI

DLI Pathway

Enrollment Information

Ready to enroll your child in the DLI program?
Steps to Apply:
  1. Complete the DLI Interest From at one of the schools that offer DLI. 
  2. Schedule an entrance assessment (if applicable).
  3. Attend an orientation session.
Eligibility:
The DLI program welcomes both English learners and native Spanish speakers. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can students learn English and Spanish at the same time?
A: Absolutely! The DLI program is specifically designed for students to develop proficiency in both English and Spanish simultaneously. Instruction in both languages is carefully structured, ensuring students build strong academic skills and linguistic abilities in each.
Q: Will my child fall behind in English if they learn in Spanish?
A: No, research shows that DLI students typically perform as well as or better than their peers in English proficiency over time. Learning in Spanish enhances cognitive skills and supports English literacy development.
Q: How are subjects divided between English and Spanish?
A: Depending on the program model (90/10 or 50/50), students learn core subjects in both languages. For example, they might study Math and Science in Spanish while learning Language Arts and Social Studies in English.
Q: What if my child struggles with one of the languages?
A: Teachers in the DLI program are trained to support students' development in both languages. Differentiated instruction, scaffolding strategies, and additional resources ensure every child receives the help they need to succeed.
Q: How long does it take for students to become fluent in both languages?
A: Language proficiency develops gradually. Most students reach conversational fluency in 2-3 years and academic fluency in both languages in 5-7 years with consistent participation in the DLI program.
Q: Can English-only students join the program?
A: Yes! The DLI program welcomes students from all linguistic backgrounds, including English-only students, to develop fluency in Spanish while strengthening their English skills.
Q: How are non-Spanish-speaking parents supported?
A: The program provides resources such as guides, workshops, and bilingual communication to help non-Spanish-speaking parents support their child’s learning.
Contact Us
For more information, contact:
Rafael Olavide
Director of Dual Language Immersion
📧 rafaelolavide@vistausd.org
📞 760-940-0176 Ext. 62016