Pierce County to Gain School Where Students Will Be Taught in Two Languages: Juan Diego Academy at Holy Rosary Tacoma

Meaningful work.  It renews us.  Throw bright kids and passionate teachers into the mix, and we're pretty much in heaven here at The Spellman Company.

We're so proud to be working with the smart team in Tacoma that's launching a "two way immersion" school this Fall.  What's that mean exactly?  Parents of preschool aged kids who are looking for the best education, where little brains are even more opened up to learning when all subjects are taught in two languages, should start pulling together their applications now. The school already pulls from all over Pierce County given its central location.  And with this new approach it's certain to grow even more.

This is the first story on what's happening at the new school, in our area's Catholic newspaper, The Progress.  The article, by Kevin Burbaum, reads in part:  "The two-way immersion model has been used in several public school districts and a few Catholic schools around the country for more than 20 years, said Dr. Luis Fraga, a professor of political science at the University of Washington and appointee to the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. Fraga was one of several nationally recognized experts who helped develop the Academy in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Catholic Schools Department, the Fulcrum Foundation and Holy Rosary Parish...  Beyond appealing to Latinos, two-way immersion should improve education for all Holy Rosary students, said Fraga, noting that there seems to be no downside to teaching subjects in both English and Spanish.

'There is increasing research that shows that children who learn and master two languages at an early age are better at math, are better at music, are better at learning and critical thinking because their brains are more active and their brains are more able to synthesize information,' he said."


Let us know if you're interested in learning more about the school, its teaching philosophy or application deadlines. And if you're with the media and would like to help us tell the story of this school looking to turnaround drop out rates and challenge kids in Western Washington, drop us a line or give us a call.