Monarch Montessori Dual Immersion Program 

AKA Dual Language Pathway (optional)

All families with children starting at 15 months have a choice between Monarch’s English programming (taught entirely in English), or Monarch’s Dual Programming. Half of Monarch’s classes are Dual classrooms. After second grade, children must demonstrate Spanish language proficiency to enter the Dual program. 

In Toddlers, Our One Teacher One Language (OTOL) model gives students consistent exposure to both English and Spanish by assigning one language per teacher, so children receive roughly 50% English and 50% Spanish instruction during the day. This approach supports natural language development and helps children build strong foundations in both languages through daily routines, play, and connection.

Toddlers in OTOL classrooms are set up for success when they join our Children’s House Dual Language program, which follows best practices for early childhood language development with 90% Spanish and 10% English, in a setting that is designed for both native Spanish and native English speaking children. Dual Language is a long-term commitment, as bilingualism takes years to fully develop and flourish. As children grow into our Elementary program, the amount of English gradually increases each year, until they reach Upper Elementary, when they return to the 50/50 model they first experienced as toddlers!

Dual Immersion begins in Children’s house classrooms and are structured so that approximately half the students are native Spanish speakers, and approximately half the students are native English Speakers. In this way, children serve as language models for one another. 

In Children’s House, 90% of the academic day is in Spanish, with teachers providing very limited instruction in English. In Kindergarten, the amount of English increases as children attend Specials in English and receive some very limited English instruction in literacy to help students see the similarities and differences in English and Spanish. 

In Elementary, as they grow, children in the Dual Language Pathway receive more English. About 30% of their Lower El experience is in English, and about 50% of their Upper El experience is in English. Students in the Dual Language Track graduate fully bilingual and biliterate. 

This approach to language development, called the 90/10 model, is research based and extremely effective for both native Spanish Speakers and native English Speakers. However, it is a long term commitment, and is only recommended to families who intend to commit to it for the long term.