Academics

Spanish Immersion

The ability to speak more than one language is increasingly important in today’s interdependent world. When a foreign language is learned at an early age, children have native-like pronunciation and grammar control. Americans fluent in other languages can benefit society, increasing global competitiveness and communication. According to the U.S. Census, about 40 million U.S. residents speak Spanish in their home and that number is projected to continue rising. Currently, Spanish is the second most common language in the United States. The Spanish Immersion program at Lakeshore Elementary is committed to immersing students into the Spanish language and culture in order for them to be better equipped for success in our increasingly global world. In our immersion program, the regular school curriculum is taught in Spanish for at least half of the school day. We currently offer this program for grades K—5 at Lakeshore Elementary. Students may then continue on to the immersion program at Harbor Lights Middle School and West Ottawa High School.

Lakeshore Elementary is an excellent school! All 3 of our kids are involved with their Spanish Immersion program. They can even start off by learning spanish at a preschool level. Very dedicated teachers and support staff at Lakeshore! We are actually learning from our children! We are excited to see how a second language will influence their futures, so far it's been all positive.
Alyson Reifsnyder, Parent

Our immersion students are able to take the skills they have learned and apply them across a spectrum of opportunities in the future, from higher education to the workforce. If you have been considering enrolling your child in Spanish Immersion, I encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to have your child learn a second language, develop cultural awareness, and become globally competent.
Jessica Rios, SI teacher & parent

FAQWant to learn more about this program?

For more information on K-5 Spanish Immersion, please contact Lakeshore Elementary at 616-786-1401.

For 6-8 Spanish Immersion, please contact Harbor Lights Middle School at 616-786-1001.

For 9-12 Spanish Immersion, please contact West Ottawa High School 616-786-1101.

Kindergarten: Spanish Immersion Enrollment and Registration

Please see the Interest Form as well as the informational letter below. Form submission may be entered starting the morning after Kindergarten Showcase for those who wish to enter the lottery for the Spanish Immersion Kindergarten Program. Please see the Kindergarten Showcase page for more information regarding the Kindergarten Showcase evening at Lakeshore Elementary.

A typical day In Spanish Immersion

Most of the morning focuses on English Language Arts taught in English using the Reading Street series:

Students work on phonetic reading strategies using Guided Reading groups, backpack books, and centers.
Reading Street writing strategies are utilized.
Running Records and DIBELS are used to assess reading progress.
In the afternoon, students have their specials in art, music, Spanish, physical wellness, and computers/technology.
Math, science and social studies, and the daily calendar activity are taught in Spanish.
For math, we use the Spanish version of Houghton Mifflin Math Expressions that is taught throughout the rest of the district.
The Battle Creek Science program in Spanish is used for science, and it is a hands-on program which includes many experiments.
Social studies incorporates literature associated with the Reading Street reading series and our Social Studies Alive series in Spanish.

During the Spanish portion of the day, teachers use songs, phrases, chants, poems, and rhymes and they carefully structure the day with familiar routines. The goal is to hear and use more and more Spanish throughout the year. Communication between teachers and parents is in English. However, math homework is in Spanish. In all grades, the district’s math, science, and social studies curricula are taught in Spanish. Students also continue to build their English reading and writing skills while developing their reading and writing skills in Spanish.

Why choose Immersion for your child?

Research shows that truly learning a language at an early age and not just parroting memorized colors and numbers will…

Positively affect intellectual growth
Enhance a child’s mental development by giving the student more flexibility in thinking, in addition to developing problem solving skills
Increase students sensitivity to language, its structure and its sounds
Improve a child’s understanding of his or her native language
Increase job opportunities

Other Benefits

The ability to speak more than one language is increasingly important in today’s interdependent world.

Studies show that Immersion students do at least as well and usually better than comparable non-immersion students.
When a world language is learned at an early age, children have native-like pronunciation and grammar control.
Americans fluent in other languages can benefit society by increasing global competitiveness and communication.
The Immersion experience helps students better understand other cultures.

Grades Offered

Spanish Immersion is offered K-12 in West Ottawa Public Schools.

For more information on K-5 Spanish Immersion, please contact Lakeshore Elementary at 616-786-1401.

For 6-8 Spanish Immersion, please contact Harbor Lights Middle School at 616-786-1000.

For 9-12 Spanish Immersion, please contact West Ottawa High School 616-786-1100.