FUSD Immersion Master Plan
History of the Mandarin Immersion Program
In spring 2010, thanks to the hard work of a dedicated group of parents and community members with a strong desire to offer a Mandarin Immersion Program to our school district, the Fremont Unified School Board approved the opening of the district’s first Mandarin Immersion Kindergarten classroom at Azevada Elementary School. Azevada was chosen because of its existing infrastructure needed for the Mandarin Immersion Program in its “start-up” stages. The first Kindergarten classroom opened in fall 2010 with twenty-eight students. In 2016-17, the Mandarin Immersion Program became a complete K-6 program.
Expansion to Junior High
On October 28, 2015, the Board approved the Spanish and Mandarin expansion to Hopkins Jr. High School. The Spanish Immersion Program began at the Junior High in the fall of 2016 with 7th grade, and expanded in 2017-18 to the 8th grade. The Mandarin Immersion Program began with 7th grade in the 2017-18 school year, followed by 8th grade in 2018-19.
Temporary Expansion of the Elementary Program
In March 2021, the Board of Trustees directed staff to reconvene the MIP/SDI Task Force to bring forward a recommendation that would provide a long term solution that allows for the expansion and growth of the programs. At that meeting, the Board also approved a short term solution for the Mandarin Immersion Program, adding two Kindergarten classes and two 1st grade classes at Blacow Elementary School, to address the consistent demand for acceptance into the MIP program, as demonstrated by the annual wait list.
Dual Immersion Unification
In February 2022, the Board of Trustees approved the unification of the Spanish and Mandarin Immersion Programs at one school for each program. A task force was developed to include FUSD educators, immersion principals, Facility Advisory Committee (FAC) members, parents, two Board Trustees and FUSD staff to provide input on long term solutions that allow for the expansion and growth of the programs. The Task Force provided recommendations for the Board to review and consider. The Board decided on February 23, 2022 to have the Mandarin Immersion Program unify at Lila Bringhurst Elementary School and the Spanish Dual Immersion program at John Blacow Elementary School starting the 2022-2023 school year.