The Press Democrat reports the Calistoga Joint Unified School District is launching a dual language immersion program, offering instruction in both English and Spanish from kindergarten.
After months of discussion and community input, the Calistoga School Board voted unanimously on Monday night to implement the program at the elementary school, starting in the 2026-27 academic year. Board President Stephanie Rothberg-Allan noted the strong community desire for more Spanish instruction.
The program aims to foster bilingualism, strong academic performance, and cross-cultural fluency, benefiting both English and native Spanish speakers. This move follows a grassroots effort by parents and community members, with supporters highlighting that nearly 90% of Calistoga students identify as Hispanic or Latino, and over a third are English learners.
While some, like the district’s teachers union, had expressed concerns about potential disruption, parent advocate Claire Weinkauf is hopeful for unity moving forward, calling the program “a tremendous gift for the community.”
The district estimates the program will cost no more than $120,000 over five years. It will begin with kindergarten and first grade, expanding annually, with optional participation initially capped at one-third of students. To further boost Spanish access, the board also approved after-school instruction for older students. Calistoga now joins a growing number of California districts embracing bilingual education, marking a new chapter for a community where two languages are already part of daily life.