The Elementary Compañeros Program is a two-way immersion setting, in which students in grades 1-5 learn to speak, read, write and listen in both English and Spanish. Students in Compañeros spend half of their day receiving instruction in English and half of their day receiving instruction in Spanish. Ideally, two-way immersion classrooms enroll roughly 1/2 native English speakers and 1/2 native Spanish speakers, or a minimum of 1/3 of one group and 2/3 of the other group. In this model, all students have the opportunity to be both first-language models and second-language learners.

English literacy, science, social studies, health, and specials are taught in English. Spanish literacy and math are taught in Spanish. The reader’s/writer’s workshop model is the approach used to develop literacy in both languages. A combination of whole group, flexible group, and individualized instruction is utilized to meet the reading needs of each student. The Everyday Math program employs a hands-on approach to learning math concepts while maintaining a focus on sequential skills development. Science, social studies, and health promote learning through the application of concepts within the real world.

In both Compañeros and Contemporary classrooms, teachers may incorporate two or three subject areas into one large lesson. In this context, teachers can carry out long-term projects and activities. There are also times when Compañeros teachers will collaborate with Contemporary teachers during reading and math in order to meet the instructional needs of their students. The framework for this collaboration is different at every grade level.

To learn more about our Compañeros program, click here.