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In 2011 the Grass Valley School District launched Nevada County’s first dual immersion Spanish instructional program. Since that time, we have expanded our program annually by one grade level each school year. The Kindergarten through 4th grade program begins at Bell Hill Academy Elementary School and it continues in 5th through 8th grades at Lyman Gilmore Middle School. Our dual immersion program provides students with their classroom instructional experiences through English and Spanish. Students help each other speak, read, write and understand one another’s language. Classes are composed of a balance of English speakers and Spanish speakers. All academic content is taught primarily in Spanish in Kindergarten and first grade and there is a gradual increase in English instruction until a 50:50 balance is reached in fifth grade. Spanish speakers build a strong base in Spanish and are more successful as they learn English. English speakers have maximum exposure to