GGUSD Set to Launch New Spanish Dual Language Academy

• Thursday, March 29, 2018
• Russell Elementary

Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) is set to launch the Russell Elementary Language Academy beginning in 2018-2019.  The new Spanish Dual Language Academy is the second of its kind in GGUSD and will meet a growing demand to provide students with a pathway to learn, read and write in both English and Spanish. 

All students who enroll in transitional kindergarten and kindergarten will be placed in the biliteracy program where they will learn academic content such as science, social studies, literacy, and math, in English and Spanish. Students enrolled in the program will also have opportunities to earn the Pathway to Biliteracy Award which is awarded by the Orange County Department of Education.

“We are so proud to open our district’s second Spanish Dual Language Academy to give students at Russell Elementary School the advantage of becoming biliterate and bilingual at a young age,” said Bob Harden, GGUSD Board of Education president.  “Our district is committed to expanding our language programs to help prepare students for a global society.”

Students in biliteracy programs develop high levels of self-esteem which leads to high academic-competence and motivation, while also preparing them for the global job market.  The district opened Monroe Elementary Language Academy in 2016 and today the school serves more than 275 transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, first, and second grade students. 

“Our Spanish Dual Language Academy at Monroe has had a waiting list since it opened and parents sing praises about the school and the education it provides to students,” said Teri Rocco, GGUSD Board of Education trustee.  “It is so exciting that we can now offer that same dual language opportunity to students at Russell.”

In addition to the biliteracy program, Russell Elementary School provides students with amazing support and great experiences inside and outside of the classroom with free after-school tutoring, Boys & Girls Club, a robust college mentor program, Latinos Unidos student leadership club, and an early start to college preparedness through the district’s nationally recognized AVID college readiness program.

Interested parents should contact the district’s Office of English Learner Programs at (714) 663-6143 for more information. 

Latest News