Programs

de Santiago EC/PK/K School has 5 programs to serve the community.

The Early Childhood program is available for our children who have special needs as determined by formal assessment. In the Early Childhood classrooms, students are placed in the least restrictive environment, where they are given support in the areas of need as determined by the ARD committee. The Early Childhood programs currently offered at deSantiago are:

  • System for Early Acquisition of Learning Skills (SEALS)
  • Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD)
  • Regional Dayschool Program for the Deaf
  • Inclusion
  • The emphasis of our program is on oral language, reading and math readiness, and social skill development.
  • Children are provided opportunities for learning through exploration, discovery, and direct instruction.
  • Children have the opportunity to make choices in activities.
  • Instruction is designed to meet the needs of children who learn at different rates.
  • Manipulatives and hands-on activities are emphasized.
  • Technology is integrated.

Children are eligible for Pre-Kindergarten/Head Start if: The child is four years old by September 1st of each school year, family size and income fall in the eligibility range, or the child is limited English proficient.

The Pre-Kindergarten/Head Start program will follow the district’s traditional school calendar.
Transportation to and from school will be provided.
Pre-Kindergarten/Head Start is a full program designed to give the four year old a great beginning in school.

The Bilingual program has the same objectives as our Pre-kindergarten program but the teacher directs the students in Spanish. In the elementary years, the instructions will follow with English.

  • The emphasis of our program is on oral language, reading and math readiness, and social skill development. Children are provided opportunities for learning through exploration, discovery, and direct instruction.
  • Children have the opportunity to make choices in activities.
  • Instruction is designed to meet the needs of children who learn at different rates.
  • Manipulatives and hands-on activities are emphasized.
  • Technology is integrated.

General/ESL Education

  • The emphasis of our program is on reading and writing which follows the Teacher College Reading and Writing Program (TCRWP). The Kindergarten curriculum also focuses on Math, Science and Social Studies.
  • Cognitive and social development is fostered in every student
  • Children are provided foundational skills though the TCRWP, which prepares them for a successful educational journey.
  • Student activities are hands-on, meaningful and diverse to meet the learning needs for every student.
  • Technology is also integrated to prepare the students for the future by building lifelong skills through teamwork, responsibility and critical thinking.

Bilingual Education

The Bilingual program has the same objectives as our kindergarten program but the teacher directs the students in Spanish. We follow the Early Exit Transitional Bilingual Program.

Special Education Programs

Students in the special education programs are provided a Free And Public Education (FAPE) in their least restrictive environments based on their learning needs as determined by the ARD committee. Each program offered is to ensure that all learners are academically successful and have every opportunity to succeed.

The Structured Learning Classroom (SLC)

The Structured Learning Classroom (SLC) is designed to address the needs of students with a complex developmental disorder that affects how the student socializes with others, communicates, and learns as determined by the district’s formal assessment team.

These students display deficits in the areas of communication, social skills and/or significant behaviors which needs to be directly addressed through Individual Educational Plans to ensure academic success.

Inclusion/Resource

This program provides children with disabilities, who have been evaluated and identified through the district assessment team, the opportunity to access the schoolwide curriculum in the general education classroom with the support of a special education teacher. These learners also have individual educational plans (IEP’s) which are implemented throughout the year to ensure academic success.

Two-Way Dual-Language Immersion started in fall 2019 in kindergarten classrooms at the following campuses:

  • de Santiago EC/PK/K School
  • García-Leza EC/PK/K School
  • Hinojosa EC/PK/K School
  • Magrill EC/PK/K School
  • Vines EC/PK/K School

The program will expand by one grade level each subsequent year.

No matter one’s first language, learning a second language is becoming crucial as we become global citizens. AlSD’s Two-Way Dual-Language Immersion program is offering new opportunities for families to become part of this proven method that helps students become proficient in two languages.

Why choose the program?

  • Native English speakers and native Spanish speakers receive general academic instruction in two languages.
  • Studies show DLI students outperform non-immersion peers in two important ways:
    • English learners reached English proficiency at higher rates
    • DLI students (native and non-native speakers) perform as well as or better than their peers in core content areas such as English, mathematics, and science

What are the goals of the program?

  • Fluency and literacy in English and Spanish
  • Immersion in different linguistic and cultural backgrounds
  • Increase knowledge and appreciation of cultures

What are the features of the program?

  • Unique and exciting opportunities for students to prepare for a global future
  • Rigorous academic curriculum that prepares students for college and career
  • Students support and learn from each other