Bilingual Programming at YES Prep

The goal of the bilingual program at YES Prep is to develop biliteracy. We do this by strengthening students’ home language of Spanish, supporting them in transferring content mastery and developing English language fluency. By the time our SPARKS leave our elementary campuses, they will be able to think, read, write and speak in both Spanish and English in any setting.

The YES Prep bilingual program is designed to:​

• Develop full biliteracy in students whose native language is Spanish.​
• Introduce, develop and master academic competency in the English language gradually across grade levels.​
• Maintain and develop skills in the Spanish language and culture while introducing, maintaining and developing skills in English and developing competency in both languages. ​
• Prepare students for the sixth-grade English only program with English as a Second Language (ESL) supports in preparation for college-ready success.

Elementary Bilingual Program results

How is the bilingual program different from ESL?  

Bilingual Program	ESL Program
Students receive most of their instruction in Spanish  Students have a block of English Language Development daily.  Science & Social Studies are taught in English  As students grow, the amount of time spent in English increases and the ELD block is longer	Students receive all of their instruction in English  Students receive additional supports to develop English provided by the classroom teacher

 

What is a day in a bilingual classroom like?  

Core Content	Taught in	Time (depending on grade level)
Class Connect & Launch	Spanish	10-20 minutes
Spanish Reading Foundational Skills	Spanish	15-30 minutes
Spanish Language Arts & Reading	Spanish	45-60 minutes
Spanish Reading Small Group	Spanish	30-40 minutes
English Language Development	English	30-60 minutes
Math Routines & Eureka Math	Spanish	60-65 minutes
Math Small Group Instruction	Spanish	25-40 minutes
Core Enrichment	English	45 minutes
Science / Social Studies	English	40-60 minutes
Closing Routine	Spanish	10 minutes

Important note: In fifth grade, students in the Bilingual program switch to majority English instruction in Language Arts and Math, with a block every day for Spanish Content and Language Supports.  

How do students qualify? 

• Families complete the Home Language Survey as part of registration 

• Based on the results of the Home Language Survey, students’ language is tested in both Spanish and English 

• Based on students’ scores in both languages, students are placed in the Bilingual or ESL program 

• Families approve or deny Emergent Bilingual services at the start of the year 

Resources for families 

Who to contact for more information 

Each campus has an Assistant Principal over the Bilingual program. When you contact the main number for the campus, you can ask for the Assistant Principal over the Bilingual Program.