Nearly a dozen people spoke in support of Imagine School of Imperial Valley, lauding its pioneering dual-immersion program in English and Spanish.
Parents and students came before the El Centro Elementary School District board Tuesday night during a public hearing, as the board is set to decide next month whether to extend the school’s charter contract for five years.
“I’m proud that my parents chose Imagine School,” said student Camila Jaramillo to the board. “In Imagine School I see that I’m learning more.”
Camila said she knew she was going to have a bright future because in Imagine School she’s able to learn in English and Spanish.
El Centro resident and parent Jessica Garcia also came before the board.
Garcia told about her son who before going to Imagine School didn’t want to go to school.
“He didn’t understand the English part … so he was struggling a lot and Imagine School, thank goodness they came because now he is a totally different child, he’s very excited, he loves going to school now,” said Garcia, who attributed her son’s improvement to Imagine School’s dual immersion program.
But Imagine School, a pioneer in the Valley for its dual immersion program, also has one of the lowest Academic Performance Index scores in the county.
El Centro Elementary trustees, who offered no comment during the hearing Tuesday, have noted they are paying close attention to the school’s API scores and the justification for the scores.
Meanwhile, Imagine School spokeswoman Rhonda Cagle said that studies show that students who participate in dual-language instruction programs typically lag behind in traditional proficiency tests.
However, those students, Cagle said, not only catch up but in many cases even surpass traditional learners after five to seven years.
Imagine School is expected to make a formal presentation to the board next month.
Staff Writer Alejandro Dávila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com
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