The Developmental Bilingual Education model is designed primarily for students who already have Spanish as part of their language background. English-dominant students may also enroll and are supported in the model. Spanish is the primary language of instruction in the early grades. In Kindergarten and 1st grade, students receive most of their academic instruction in Spanish, while also getting initial English literacy and language development instruction daily. This strong foundation in Spanish supports overall language development and long-term academic success in both English and Spanish as students move to a more balanced approach in grades 2-5 with both Spanish and English homeroom teachers.

The application process occurs the year before students enter kindergarten. Students in Developmental Bilingual Education continue their immersion programming in the Spanish immersion 6-12 model.

We advocate for and support the Spanish Immersion Program in Sioux Falls Public Schools with a primary focus on interns who enhance the language and cultural experience in the classrooms and in the community. We also donate money through grants for teacher development and resources for the classrooms and libraries.

Mission
To support and advocate for students, teachers, and interns in the Sioux Falls Public Schools Spanish Immersion Program.

One of the main things PASI does is bring the world into your student's classrooms via supporting interns. In all grade levels, this gives the teacher an extra set of hands and allows students time to work on academic subjects with more attention from either the teacher or an intern.