HBIS is a two-way immersion program that teaches the district curriculum in both English and Spanish. The school serves both native Spanish speakers and native English speakers.  The goals of the program are that all children become fluently bilingual and bi-literate in English and Spanish while meeting district standards in all core subject areas.

Mission Statement

The mission of HBIS is to promote high levels of Spanish and English language competencies, academic achievement in both languages, high self-esteem and positive cross-cultural attitudes.

Demographics

HBIS opened its doors in 1993 with 88 students in grades K-4.   The school has grown each year and now averages 320 students in grades K-6 with two classes at each grade level. The school maintains a 50/50 to 60/40 ratio between Spanish and English speaking students.

Program

The two-way language model has been implemented at HBIS as follows:

Kindergarten              60% instructional time in Spanish

                                    40% instructional time in English

First-Second    60% instructional time in the child’s first language (Literacy is taught

                           in the first language)

                          40% instructional time in the child’s second language

Third-Sixth            50% instructional time in Spanish

                              50% instructional time in English

In grades 1 & 2, literacy instruction is in the child’s primary language.  English as a Second Language (ESL) and Spanish as a second Language (SSL) are offered daily. Children are grouped by first language for Literacy, ESL and SSL.  Students are in heterogeneous language groupings for Math, Science, and Social Studies.  These subjects are taught one week in Spanish and one week in English.

In grade 3, all students continue in first language literacy, but are also instructed in second language reading and writing through ESL and SSL classes.  Math, Science and Social Studies are presented as in grades 1 & 2.

By grades 4, 5, & 6, students are in heterogeneous language groups for literacy instruction except for a 40-minute period of literacy support where students are grouped by need.  Other subjects continue to be taught as described above.