Santa Rosa Language Program Wins Golden Bell Award
The Arizona School Boards Association honors the district for its innovative dual language immersion curriculum.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Language Learning
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The Santa Rosa Elementary Dual Language Immersion program has earned the 2026 Golden Bell Award in the Pre-K-8 category. This recognition highlights the school's success in fostering bilingualism and biliteracy through its structured academic approach.
Why it matters
The award recognizes the program's effectiveness in providing a strong foundation for students to achieve proficiency in both Spanish and English. By integrating two languages into core subjects, the school ensures students gain essential skills while meeting academic standards.
A recent survey of local parents found that 94% believe the program supports academic achievement in both languages. Additionally, 100% of respondents confirmed that their children are currently meeting grade-level expectations in all core subjects.
The players
Santa Rosa Elementary Dual Language Immersion
This educational program is recognized for its bilingual instruction model that utilizes both Spanish and English in core subject areas.
Arizona School Boards Association
This organization represents public school districts across the state and oversees the administration of the annual Golden Bell Awards.
The details
Students in the program interact in Spanish during math and science instruction, while shifting to English for social studies and English language arts. This balanced immersion model is designed to build literacy across both languages simultaneously.
Timeline
The Santa Rosa Elementary Dual Language Immersion program received the 2026 Golden Bell Award.
An honorary luncheon to celebrate the achievement will occur on December 17, 2026.
Culture Shift
This program reflects a broader movement toward valuing early bilingualism as a standard component of public education. It aligns with the Arizona Department of Education's standards for dual language immersion programs, marking a milestone in how local schools advance bilingual goals.
Families in Santa Rosa can expect continued emphasis on bilingual curriculum delivery following this recognition. Residents should note that the program's success is tied to consistent student participation in both English and Spanish language instruction.
The takeaway
The program's success demonstrates that structured linguistic immersion can successfully support high academic standards. Parents interested in these outcomes may consider how balanced language instruction supports cognitive development in core subjects.
What happens next
An honorary luncheon to commemorate the 2026 Golden Bell Award is scheduled for December 17, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local bilingual education trends in Santa Rosa Language Learning.
Source note: This article includes information reported by InMaricopa.
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