Two-Way Immersion

Two-Way Immersion (TWI) Program at Sylvia Mendez School

Sylvia Mendez Elementary School proudly serves as the sole provider of the Two-Way Immersion (TWI) program within the Berkeley Unified School District. The school transitioned to a district-wide TWI program in the Fall of 2013. By the 2018-2019 school year, all classes at Sylvia Mendez were fully integrated into the TWI program. We are committed to providing a rich, bilingual education that fosters academic excellence and cultural understanding.

How does the TWI Program Work?

The TWI program offers an exceptional opportunity for children to become fluent and proficient in two languages: Spanish and English. It brings together native Spanish and English speakers to experience academic and social development in the same classroom. Students develop a deep understanding of other cultures as they become proficient in both languages and participate in enriching cultural activities.

In Transitional Kindergarten (TK), Kindergarten, and first grade, the majority of instruction is delivered in Spanish, with increasing amounts of English instruction each subsequent year. By the time immersion students enter fourth and fifth grade, half of the instruction is in Spanish and half is in English. Student proficiency is assessed based on their ability to speak, read, and write in both Spanish and English across all subject areas. Graduates of the Sylvia Mendez TWI program continue their immersion studies at Longfellow Middle School.

For more information see BUSD’s TWI site and BUSD Admissions Office TWI page.