Searching for a language immersion school or bilingual program in Tucson for your child or teen? You've come to the right place! We've put together a comprehensive guide to assist you in finding a school that is the right fit for your family.
What exactly is a language immersion school?
A language immersion program is one in which children spend all or part of their school day learning a particular foreign language. For example, a school might offer a Chinese Immersion, Spanish Immersion, or French Immersion option.
As the Catalina Foothills School District puts it, "Immersion education is not the same as a foreign language program. Immersion is defined as a method of instruction in which the regular school curriculum is taught through the medium of a foreign language."
How many language immersion schools are there in Tucson?
There are a handful of language immersion elementary programs in Tucson - Spanish Immersion, Chinese Immersion, French Immersion, and German Immersion.
Catalina Foothills School District: Chinese Immersion at Sunrise Drive Elementary School and Spanish Immersion at Ventana Vista Elementary School.
Desert Christian Schools' Preschool: early literacy skills in both English and Spanish.
International School of Peace: Tucson's first Spanish Language Immersion Preschool since 2004.
International School of Tucson (Preschool Spanish, Preschool Chinese, Preschool German, Preschool French, Junior/Middle School Spanish, Junior/Middle School Chinese, Junior/Middle School German, Junior/Middle School French)
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy South Academy's Dual Language Immersion. Your child will begin in a 90/10 Spanish/English model that begins in K-1, and develops to 50/50 by fifth grade. All students will read, write and speak in both languages.
Tucson Unified School District's Two-Way Dual Language Programs (90/10 immersion with classroom instruction in Spanish). Davis Bilingual Elementary School has a focus on Spanish immersion.
Vail School District: Chinese Immersion at Mesquite Elementary School and Spanish Immersion at Cottonwood Elementary School.
Veritas Academy of Tucson: Latin instruction for grades 1-12.
Are there any free language immersion schools in Tucson?
Yes. Most of the immersion programs in Tucson are available at public or charter schools - which means that they are free and not tuition-based.
What questions should I ask on a school tour?
Here are ten questions you may want to ask on your tour or at an info night:
What method of immersion (full, double, one-way partial, or two-way partial) does your school use?
Who will be my child's teacher and what credentials/experience does he/she have?
Have all teachers been background-checked? Does the screening process apply to all employees (janitors, lunchroom staff, security personnel, bus drivers, etc.)?
How much “screen time” (iPads, computers, etc) is part of the day, if any?
What curriculum do you use for each subject?
How much homework is required on a typical school night?
What is your policy regarding cell phone use on-campus?
Tell us about the extracurricular and athletic opportunities at this school.
What is the average class size?
What makes this school special?
Are there any language immersion high schools in Tucson?
No. The language immersion schools in Tucson currently only go up to grade 8.
That being said, many Tucson high schools offer foreign language coursework - in Spanish, German, French, Chinese, and/or Latin.
What is the best language immersion school in Tucson?
Great question! Each immersion school has a unique community, curriculum, and focus so it is hard to pinpoint just one.
The best way to find a language immersion school or bilingual program in Tucson is to ask friends and family members for recommendations. You can also check yelp and google reviews. Finally, don't be shy about scheduling tours at several different schools so that you can make an informed decision.
Other Schools in Tucson
You may also be interested in the following resource pages:
TucsonTopia contains both paid and non-paid mentions of businesses and organizations in and around Tucson, Arizona. Any reference made here to local businesses, services, classes, etc. is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement. We encourage you to do your own research before participating in an event or engaging with a local business or organization. The intent of TucsonTopia is to provide ideas for family-friendly activities, events, and resources. Participants assume all risks for any activities they engage in. TucsonTopia is not responsible for any injuries or problems that may arise from partaking in any of these events and activities.
