Charter schools are independently-operated public schools that have the freedom to design classrooms that meet their students’ needs. All charter schools operate under a contract with a charter school authorizer – usually a nonprofit organization, government agency, or university.

The reasons that parents choose charter schools for their children are just as unique as the students themselves. They choose charter schools because of the strong, dedicated teachers, because the school's focus matches their child’s needs, or simply because their child was struggling in their assigned public school and needed to try something new. Charter schools provide families with options in public education, allowing parents to take a more active role in their child’s education.*

*https://www.publiccharters.org/about-charter-schools/what-charter-school

It is free to attend Dual Language Immersion North County. We are a tuition-free public charter school.

Any student can apply to Dual Language Immersion North County regardless of test scores, grades, or language ability. A student who transfers in and needs extra assistance will receive tutoring, and can be paired up with another student in their class for support.

There is no strict deadline, however classes for 2022 - 2023 are filling up quickly. Priority is given to students from Vista and those who have siblings at the school.

DLINC uses a rolling admissions policy. In the event that DLINC reaches capacity, a wait list will be created. Otherwise the open enrollment period will run until school starts.

School Tours are offered regularly. Please visit our Calendar page for upcoming dates.

• 90/10 model of instruction

• Small, tight-knit community and nurturing environment
  Active parent organization (PTO)

• Academic tutoring, after school clubs, student volunteer opportunities, field trips, PE

• Annual traditions like Fall Festival, Spirit Week, Snack Shack, and more

• Graduates leave well prepared to be high achievers in high school

DLINC has been recognized at the state and national level with awards that include California Gold Ribbon School, Title I Academic Achievement Award School, and 21st Century Learning Exemplar School, WASC, Accreditation, California Distinguished School

“To provide rigorous bilingual instruction in English and Spanish that fosters academic excellence and cross-cultural competence.”

We implement our model of instruction with fidelity. We are strict about it. Most students have two different teachers: a teacher for English and a teacher for Spanish. We provide a safe, comfortable and supportive school environment which also makes learning in a second language more successful.

We have high expectations for student growth and have a commitment to evidence-based instruction. We collect student data and make instructional decisions on that.

Initiatives such as the garden club and recycling program help students with their commitment to the environment.

The importance of kindness is recognized through our restorative practices, kindness contests, and events like the Raze Craze, where students pay it forward by completing Acts of Kindness for others.

School Hours are 8:30am - 3pm; there are no weekly half days in the school year 2022-2023.

DLINC enjoys a very socioeconomically diverse student population. School uniforms help teach students to dress well, take pride in their appearance, and feel part of their school community. For these reasons, students wear basic uniforms of khaki and navy blue attire. Our uniform policy allows students to relax and focus on learning.

Breakfast and Lunch are free. DLINC contracts with a local vendor for healthy kid-friendly meals that are prepared in a kitchen nearby, using locally sourced ingredients. It is a priority for us that meals are always made with healthy, high quality ingredients.

Yes. Parents can leave their child at the School as early as 7am. Our Afterschool Enrichment Program runs until 5:30pm and includes grade-specific classes, homework time, and Physical Education (sports for upper grades). There is an additional fee and deadlines for participation.

Our TK students receive 100% of their instruction in Spanish. Kindergartners receive 90 percent of their instruction in Spanish, with 10 percent instruction in English. First graders receive an 80 to 20 Spanish to English ratio; second graders a 70 to 30 ratio; and students in grades 3-8 receive a 50 to 50 Spanish to English ratio of instruction.

Yes, we are Common Core aligned per state guidelines. Our teachers in the younger grades draw from a variety of instructional resources. In middle and upper grades teachers integrate primary sources of information along with the standard curriculum. In the 2022- 2023 school year, teachers will begin to implement more project-based, experiential learning.

Our students take the CAASPP/SBAC Tests as is customary in public education. As a local assessment, to measure growth, we use the NWEA MAP test.

Ultimately, the research for dual language instruction is very consistent: student test scores are slightly below those of their peers in mainstream settings until about 5th grade, at which time they are caught up with their grade-level peers.

By 7th and 8th grades, the test scores of dual immersion students exceed that of their peers.

No, during Spanish, it is full Spanish immersion with no English whatsoever.

One often-used best practice is to provide support buddies to students who are struggling in Spanish.

In grades K-2, Language Arts, Math and PE are taught in Spanish. Science and Social Studies are taught in English.

In grade 3, Language Arts are taught in both languages. Math is taught in English. Science and Social Studies are taught in Spanish. PE is in Spanish.

In grades 4-8, Language Arts are taught in both languages. Math and Science are taught in English. Social Studies are taught in Spanish. PE is taught in Spanish.

DLINC graduates leave well prepared to be high achievers in high school. After achieving true day-to-day profiency in Spanish and English, our students are able to experience the empowerment that comes from knowing a second language. At DLINC our protective environment is perfect for students to gain confidence, and most graduates are truly accomplished scholars and athletes who often remain in close contact with one another, and with our school as alumni.Many test into Spanish for Spanish Speakers and AP Spanish. Their time at DLINC is so important that many come back to volunteer in the classrooms.

DLINC is the only dual immersion middle school in our area that continues to offer 50/50 English/Spanish. Most revert to 70/30 with only 1-2 classes in Spanish. The regular immersion we continue to offer in the middle school years is pivotal for successful second language acquisition.

DLINC does regular assessments to make sure students are progressing.

DLINC uses the Student Success Team (SST) process. Six weeks into the school year (after students are assessed) teachers relay any concerns. They can meet with the parent, the counselor etc. to talk about a strategy. Six weeks after that they meet again and talk about how the interventions are working. A student at that time could be evaluated for special education (not always).

Many of our parents do not speak Spanish, even if they are of Hispanic descent. Teachers provide minimal translation for assignments and more extensive translation when it is requested; as they are very easily accessible by e-mail, text or phone. Students also have support buddies in class who help them when necessary.

Our students learn to read first in Spanish. Spanish is logistically easier to learn to read because each letter has only one sound. The research in literacy indicates that the skills associated with early reading –letter identification, phonemic awareness, blending, segmenting– are transferable to any language. The idea is that you only learn to read once– reading skills are a set of skills unto themselves that are the same in any language. Our students spend all of kindergarten and half of first grade becoming confident, fluent readers in Spanish. In the second half of first grade, they begin transferring phonemic awareness, etc. to English. By the end of second grade, students are becoming strong readers in English as well as Spanish.

Students who are taught to read in two languages are more focused on true reading comprehension and using higher-level analytical thinking skills to elicit textual meaning. This is in contrast to students taught in a monolingual setting who are sometimes more focused on fluency and expression.

All students participate in PE as required by state guidelines. At DLINC we aim to exceed these requirements when possible. For example, Kindergarten classes go outside 3 times a day. There is a morning, lunch, and afternoon recess, when structured PE is often held. Grades 5 - 8 have PE every day.

There are enrichment classes after school such as: Drama, Science, Chess, Gardening, Typing. Enrichment classes are added based on student interest and need. We are currently designing the extracurricular offerings for school year 2022-2023 and anticipate a similar mix of offerings, including academic intervention classes and structured language support.

Dual Language Immersion North County has a very committed group of current parents and an active PTO (Parent Teacher Organization). This group meets monthly, and sponsors many events. Teachers love it when parents volunteer in their classrooms. Parents attend workshops, such as the Parent Institute for Quality Education. There are family math nights, family literacy nights, fundraising events. Parents regularly attend board meetings.