Marbrook Spanish Immersion

Red Clay Consolidated School District

The goal of the program is to create a continuous immersion pathway. Each year, the Immersion Program adds a new cohort as kindergarten students move on to the next grade level.

This program provides some of our youngest learners with an exciting opportunity to learn and engage in two languages and cultures - English and Spanish - during the school day.

Students spend each half of the day in each language. English: Reading, Writing, Social Studies, and reinforcements of concepts and vocabulary to support Math and Science Spanish: Math, Science, and Spanish Language Arts Related Arts will be taught in Spanish.

Enroll by completing a Choice Application form. Space is limited. A lottery process may be implemented to finalize enrollment.

BENEFITS OF IMMERSION

Second Language Skills
Students in an immersion program can be expected to achieve a high level of proficiency in the second language.

Improved Academic Performance

Exposing students to language at a young age helps promote intellectual development. Children who participate in immersion programs perform as well as or better than their peers on achievement tests in English and math.

Cognitive Development
Dual language students typically develop increased attention control, memory, and superior problem-solving skills. In addition, learning a second language can enhance students’ understanding of their primary language.

Cultural Sensitivity
Students in immersion programs are more aware of and show more positive attitudes toward other cultures, enabling them to interact effectively with people of different backgrounds, ethnicities, beliefs, and interests.

Long-Term Benefits
Later in life, immersion students are better prepared for the global community and job markets where knowledge of a second language is an asset.

To apply for the program, families must do the following:

• Feeder pattern students who would like to apply for the Immersion Program must complete the Choice Application process and select The Immersion Program.

• Students outside of the school feeder pattern who are interested in the Immersion Program must complete the Choice Application process for acceptance into the school as well as acceptance into the program.

*Please note that incoming kindergarten and first graders can apply to the immersion program by completing a School Choice Application online. However, starting in second grade students need to have the appropriate Spanish language skills to apply and be considered for the program. Please contact the choice office if you're interested in applying for immersion in grades 2-5 at 302-552-3789.

For more information about the program, please contact Marbrook Elementary School at 302-992-5555. For information about the Choice process, please call the Red Clay Consolidated School District Choice Office at 302-552-3789

Should students enter an immersion program after first grade?
Usually two-way programs do not accept English-only speakers after first grade and English learners after second grade. Bilingual and biliterate students can enter the program at any time.

Can you include English learners of a language other than Spanish in a Spanish/English two-way bilingual immersion program?
English learners in a Spanish/English two-way bilingual immersion program should be Spanish speakers. However, speakers of other languages who are proficient in either Spanish or English could be eligible for enrollment in the program

What can I do to support my child’s immersion experience if I don’t speak the second language?

Like all parents, parents of children in immersion programs should maintain an active role in their children’s education by providing experiences that help develop their English language skills and enhance their cognitive and affective development. Parents should read with children daily in English and engage them in activities where they need to apply what they are learning in class. Parents should also communicate with the teachers on a regular basis about their children’s’ academic, social, and language development. They should become well informed about immersion education, make a commitment to keep their child in the immersion program, and support their children’s use of the immersion language outside the school context, for example, by providing reading materials in the immersion language at home.

What common issues should I expect and how do I handle them?

Be prepared for the fact that your child will initially be confused and even frustrated. They will likely be very tired at the end of the day, as language learning is cognitively demanding. This reaction is very normal for first- time immersion learners and can last from two weeks to two months depending on the child’s age and basic language ability. Children are generally very resilient and will soon feel comfortable with the second language.

On May 14th, Marbrook Elementary hosted the Second Annual Red Clay Spanish Spelling Bee, featuring six finalists each from Lewis and Marbrook’s Spanish Immersion programs.

After 13 rounds, Jesús Piña-Flores, a 5th grader from Marbrook, was named the 2025 Champion. Liam Reyes from Lewis earned second place.

We were honored to have a distinguished panel supporting the competition. Two of Red Clay’s World Language Spanish teachers served as judges: Sra. Viscarra from Conrad and Srta. Molina from McKean High School. They were joined by Sra. Marcano, a 5th-grade teacher from Marbrook. Our pronouncer for the evening was Srta. Portillo, a 5th-grade teacher at Lewis.

Thank you to all the teachers, families, and schools for your support. Jesús now has the opportunity to represent Red Clay at the National Spanish Spelling Bee this July in New Mexico. ¡Felicidades y mucha suerte, Jesús!

View the full album here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCe6xU

For more information please contact Principal, Maya Aldas at 302-992-5555 or maya.aldas@redclay.k12.de.us