Back to El Marino Elementary
Galaxy55
•This response is community-sourced and may not reflect official school guidance.
Registrar

Whats the dual language program? And what are the benefits of it compared to another school

El Marino Elementary in Culver City, CA, offers a dual language immersion program where students learn in either Spanish or Japanese. The program aims to develop students into bilingual and biliterate individuals by the end of fifth grade, utilizing a 90:10 instructional model in kindergarten that gradually shifts to a 60:40 model by fifth grade.

Program Structure

  • Languages Offered: Spanish and Japanese.
  • Instruction Model: 90% in the target language and 10% in English in kindergarten, transitioning to 60% in the target language by fifth grade.
  • Curriculum: Aligns with California state standards, differing only in the language of instruction.
  • Student Body: Integrates native English speakers with native speakers of the target language, fostering cross-cultural cooperation.
Benefits Compared to Other Schools

Research indicates that students in dual language programs often achieve higher academic success and develop better cognitive skills than their peers in monolingual programs. Benefits include:

  • Higher Academic Achievement: Better standardized test scores in reading and math.
  • Cognitive Advantages: Enhanced executive functions such as attention control and problem-solving skills.
  • Cultural Competence: Increased understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, contributing to positive self-esteem.
  • Long-Term Proficiency: Sustained language acquisition through immersion is more effective than traditional foreign language classes.
For enrollment details, visit the Culver City Unified School District website.

Recent questions at El Marino Elementary

Anonymous
•This response is community-sourced and may not reflect official school guidance.
Other

What are the benefit of el marino vs any other elementary school? we know its especially language focused

El Marino Elementary stands out among elementary schools due to its specialized focus on Dual Language Immersion (DLI), which fosters bilingualism and biliteracy in both Spanish and Japanese.

Immersion Model The school employs a 90:10 model in Kindergarten, where 90% of instruction is in the target language, gradually transitioning to a 50:50 split by 5th grade. This approach not only aids in language acquisition but also ensures mastery of state academic standards.

Academic Excellence El Marino consistently outperforms district and state averages, with 75% of students proficient in reading and 73% in math, compared to district averages of 63% and 58%, respectively. This academic success is a testament to the effectiveness of its immersion curriculum.

Cognitive and Cultural Benefits Students at El Marino also experience enhanced cognitive skills, including improved attention control and problem-solving abilities. The curriculum emphasizes cultural awareness, preparing students to thrive in a diverse society.

Dedicated Resources The school benefits from strong parental support through organizations like ALLEM, which provide native-language adjunct paraprofessionals and specialized arts and music instruction, further enriching the educational experience.

LAmomma
•This response is community-sourced and may not reflect official school guidance.
Admissions

How are stuednts accepted for enrollment? Is it competitiev? How many spaces are avilable?

El Marino Elementary employs a lottery system for student enrollment, particularly for kindergarten, due to high demand exceeding available capacity.

Acceptance Process

  • Admission is prioritized for Culver City residents with siblings already enrolled, followed by other residents, and finally non-residents through inter-district permits.
  • There are no academic entrance requirements for kindergarten, but the process is competitive as it relies on a lottery.
  • Classes are structured to maintain a balance of native Spanish or Japanese speakers and English speakers.
Available Spaces

Each year, El Marino typically offers around 144 kindergarten spaces:

  • Spanish Immersion: Approximately 96 spaces across four classes.
  • Japanese Immersion: Approximately 48 spaces across two classes.
  • The district aims for a student-teacher ratio of 24:1 for K–3 classrooms.
Important Dates

For the 2026–2027 school year, pre-enrollment begins on January 26, 2026. Interested families should follow the application process outlined on the Culver City Unified School District Enrollment Portal.

Anonymous
•This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Other

How do they assess language progress? Is it report card comments, standardized tests, or something immersion-specific

El Marino Elementary employs a multifaceted approach to assess language progress, integrating both immersion-specific evaluations and standardized testing.

Immersion-Specific Assessments Students entering grades 1–5 must pass a target language proficiency screening, which includes assessments in oral, reading, writing, and sometimes mathematics in Spanish or Japanese. This ensures that students can keep pace with the immersion curriculum.

Standardized Testing

  • ELPAC: English Learners take the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) annually to monitor their English development in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
  • CAASPP/Smarter Balanced Assessments: Starting in 3rd grade, students participate in these state tests to measure progress in English language arts and mathematics.
Report Cards and Progress Monitoring Traditional report cards are utilized alongside teacher feedback and classwork to provide a comprehensive view of student progress. These report cards are available in English, Japanese, and Spanish to cater to the school's diverse community. The school also focuses on achieving "additive bilingualism," aiming for students to be both orally bilingual and academically biliterate by 5th grade.
Explore all El Marino Elementary questions