CUSD Immersion Program

Here is a helpful guideline of what the CUSD Immersion Program currently looks like from grades K-12.

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HATCH: CUSD utilizes a gradual immersion model, beginning with a strong foundation in Spanish and progressing toward balanced bilingual instruction.

➔ TK: Bilingual (Focus on Oral Language Development in primary language and exposure to secondary language)

➔ Kindergarten: 60% Spanish / 40% English

➔ 1st Grade: 60% Spanish / 40% English

➔ 2nd Grade: 60% Spanish / 40% English

➔ 3rd Grade: 50% Spanish / 50% English

➔ 4th Grade: 50% Spanish / 50% English

➔ 5th Grade: 50% Spanish / 50% English

At 5th Grade promotion, eligible students earn a Bilingual Service and Participation Award or the Bilingualism Attainment Award from San Mateo County.

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CUNHA: Immersion students in 7th and 8th grades at Cunha continue their studies by taking a Spanish Language Arts course. Currently, if students want to participate in Band, Wheel or Leadership, they need to take a zero period. At 8th Grade graduation, eligible students earn a Pursuit of Bilingualism Award or the Bilingualism Attainment Award from San Mateo County.    6th Graders during the 2026-2027 school year will receive dual language instruction in their social studies classes.

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HALF MOON BAY HIGH SCHOOL: The pathway at HMBHS takes advantage of an immersion student’s language and literacy skills, while allowing them to proceed to high-level AP courses, as detailed below. SIPA offers an annual scholarship for graduating immersion students and assists them in obtaining the California State Seal of Biliteracy. 

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• Spanish for Spanish Speakers I: counts as two years of college entrance language requirement

• Spanish for Spanish Speakers II: counts as three years of college entrance language requirements

• AP Spanish Language: a college-level course that prepares students for the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Examination

• AP Spanish Literature: focuses on the study of the major literary works from  the Spanish speaking world.  The availability of this course depends on student demand and enrollment.

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STATE SEAL OF BILITERACY: The Seal of Biliteracy is a gold seal marked on a high school graduate’s diploma and transcript. It is conferred by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and recognizes a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in both Spanish and English.  More information can be found at www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/sealofbiliteracy.asp