Mission:

Arco Iris Spanish Immersion School is an elementary school offering one-way Spanish immersion.  At the core, Arco Iris promotes bilingualism, biliteracy, and multi culturalism and fosters increased academic ability.  Our mission is to offer a solid Spanish immersion education that will prepare students to be responsible citizens and life-long learners with strong values. Bilingualism, biliteracy, cultural competence and high academic performance make up the framework for our mission at Arco Iris.

Our teachers come from various backgrounds, each bringing a unique culture and talent.  Students are challenged to become world class thinkers, capable of engaging ideas using two languages and multiple perspectives. The benefits associated with bilingualism include the positive effect on intellectual ability, a head start on future school language requirements, the improvement of child's understanding of his/her native language, and the ability to communicate with people he or she would otherwise not get the chance to know.

Our philosophy:

Arco Iris teachers and administrators are talented educators and bilingual in Spanish.   Students are challenged to become world class thinkers, capable of engaging ideas using two languages and multiple perspectives. The benefits associated with bilingualism include the positive effect on intellectual ability, a head start on future school language requirements, the improvement of child's understanding of his/her native language, and the ability to communicate with people he or she would otherwise not get the chance to know.

Our school philosophy is to provide an academically challenging, content-rich, curriculum that holds high expectations for all students, including becoming fluent and literate in Spanish in addition to English. We are committed to developing strong, critical-thinking skills in all students. We will provide a safe environment where all students are known, respected, and valued as individuals of great potential. We will establish a community that models and encourages character development, respect for diversity, and a sense of responsibility toward the community.

Arco Iris will offer Total Spanish Immersion – Programs in which all subjects in the lower grades (1-3) are taught in the target language. Instruction in English will increase in the upper elementary grades (3-6). Language immersion programs use a proven educational methodology that has been around for decades. According to the Center for Applied Linguistics, over 320 immersion programs were documented in the United States at the end of 2005.

At Arco Iris, Spanish language acquisition will occur naturally by using Spanish as the language of instruction during a major portion of the day. As is the practice in immersion programs, no English is used by the teacher during the day, although students can talk to the teacher and one another in English until they gain sufficient proficiency in Spanish.