Dual Language Immersion Programs in Chinese or Spanish

Balboa School is proud to offer elementary Dual Language Immersion Programs in Chinese or Spanish. Children learn to think, read, write and communicate naturally in two languages: English and Chinese OR English and Spanish.

The program is designed for optimal achievement in Mandarin and English or Spanish and English , where students can achieve sophisticated language development through direct instruction, engaging classroom activities, and songs, in a caring environment with active student involvement and participation.

Classroom instruction is divided between two high-quality classroom teachers.  The English-speaking teacher uses part of the instructional day to teach the English language arts curriculum. The Chinese-speaking teacher or Spanish-speaking teacher uses part of the day to teach Chinese language arts or Spanish language arts including reading, speaking, writing and listening, while integrating elements of Chinese or Spanish literature and culture. Both teachers teach core subjects such as math, social studies, science, and other topics from the California Core Curriculum.

Students will conduct hands-on activities in fundamental science and engineering, along with reading, writing, and literature. You will be amazed at how quickly your child becomes a comfortable and competent Mandarin speaker or Spanish speaker!

Mandarin schools have plenty of benefits for students and parents. “In the last 20 years or so, there’s been a virtual explosion of research on bilingualism,” says Judith Kroll, a professor at the University of California. Research has found the benefits include enhanced:

1. Attention
2. Empathy
3. Reading comprehension
4. Diversity and integration

Other benefits to language learning and bilingualism, some of which are unique to Mandarin schools, include:

More options for further education: Bilingual education can give your child more choices when it comes to choosing future education.

Academic Benefits: Students with bilingual education tend to be higher academic achievers than their monolingual peers, on average. Research at Cambridge University adds to the evidence that bilinguals have the edge in cognitive ability, social interaction and communication skills. It is no wonder then, that universities themselves prize language skills highly in those applying.

Cultural literacy: Learning a new language exposes students to new cultures. As we become a more global society, students can use their cultural literacy to teach tolerance and help others recognize the importance of treating other cultures equally and fairly.

Balboa School is a fully accredited private school that has been teaching students from across the county, including GATE and gifted students, for over twenty years. Students at Balboa School are challenged while being provided the guiding support necessary for high achievement. We are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and Cognia, the world’s largest education organization.

If you’re from beautiful San Diego, and would like to have your child excel at our private Elementary school, please visit us at:

855 Brotherton Rd.,
Escondido, CA. 92025

Please contact us or call 760-294-4490 for more information, or to schedule a tour of our campus in North County Escondido, California. We’re excited to meet you!