The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) is now accepting applications for its popular Signature Programs for the 2022–2023 school year. Brochures and applications are available at every SBCUSD elementary campus and online. Completed applications must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on January 19, 2022.
Signature Programs were formerly known as Magnet or Options programs. Although the name has changed, the popularity and quality of the programs has not. Among the most popular programs are the Dual Language Immersion, Accelerated Kindergarten, and arts programs.
The Dual Language Immersion Program promotes bilingualism and biliteracy in English and Spanish for native Spanish speakers and native English speakers. Students receive academic instruction in English for part of the school day and Spanish for the remainder of the school day. The idea is that all students will be exposed to their native language and a second language in an academic setting. Bonnie Oehl Elementary School offers the 90/10 model, with instruction in Spanish for 90 percent of the day and English for 10 percent starting in kindergarten, with English instructional time increasing by 10 percent at each grade level.
Dual Immersion is also offered at the following elementary schools: Antón, Bradley, Brown, Cypress, Gomez, Jones, Lankershim, Lincoln, Marshall, Muscoy, Riley, Rio Vista, E. Neal Roberts, Roosevelt, Urbita, Vermont, Warm Springs, Wilson, and Bing Wong. Call the Language Assessment Center directly at (909) 891-1037 if you are interested in the Dual Language Immersion program at one of these schools.
Arrowview Middle School and San Bernardino High School (SBHS) offer follow-up programs for students who successfully complete the elementary Dual Language Immersion Program or who can demonstrate they are fluent and literate in English and Spanish. Students in the Arrowview and SBHS programs take half their classes in each language.
The Trilingual Immersion Program offered at Belvedere Elementary School is similar to the Dual Language Immersion Program, with 80 percent of instruction in Spanish and 10 percent in English starting in kindergarten. Students will also have Vietnamese-language instruction for 10 percent of the day. As students progress through the program, English instructional time will increase by 10 percent each school year, with Vietnamese-language instruction remaining consistent at 10 percent each year. Parents who are interested in the Trilingual Immersion Program must attend an informational meeting prior to their children entering the program.
The Accelerated Kindergarten program, offered at Bradley, Kimbark, North Park, Ramona-Alessandro, Roosevelt, and Salinas Elementary Schools, offers a full-day kindergarten for children who demonstrate developmental maturity and advanced academic skills. Critical-thinking, problem-solving, and emergent reading skills are assessed prior to enrollment. Complete the Google form at bit.ly/acceleratedkindergarten22-23 to request an assessment. These schools also offer Vanguard Programs to serve advanced learners in first and second grade.
The Creative & Performing Arts program at Salinas Elementary School incorporates art, theater, dance, and instrumental and choral music instruction into the school curriculum. Students in kindergarten through third grade participate in weekly Primary Sing music lessons. Older students have an opportunity to enroll in band, orchestra, show choir, and piano class. All students also receive weekly lessons in art, dance and theater that rotates each trimester.
The Fine Arts Signature Program is offered at Palm Avenue Elementary School and includes instruction in music, dance, drama, and visual arts through an artist-in-residence program.
SANKOFA is a unique program offered at Hunt Elementary and Del Vallejo Middle Schools. SANKOFA is a culturally responsive, brain-based academic program that teaches the same California standards as other public schools but in a way that is designed to create excellence for African-American students, as well as other interested students. Contact the Department of Equity & Targeted Student Achievement at (909) 473-2098 for more information about SANKOFA.
Additionally, Kimark and North Verdemont Elementary Schools offer environmental education programs, and Hillside Elementary School offers the Spanish-English Enrichment Program. For a full list of SBCUSD Signature Programs, consult the 2022–2023 Signature Programs brochure and application.
Students must be currently enrolled or pre-enrolled in an SBCUSD school and meet specific program requirements to be accepted into a Signature Program. Enrollment in Signature Programs is for a full school year and for the remaining grades of the program. All qualifying students will be selected for Signature Programs based on a random, unbiased drawing held via Zoom at 5 p.m. on February 16, 2022.
Signature Program applications must be completed and returned to Enrollment and Placement Services, Jones Elementary School, 700 North F Street in San Bernardino, no later than 4 p.m. on January 19, 2022. Applications dropped off at other school sites will not be considered. Parents can also apply online at www.sbcusd.com/enrollment. Scroll down the page to the Quick Links and select Signature Programs.
For more local news and information click here.