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Parents press for dual immersion at Mira Catalina; district defends Lunada Bay as sole dual-immersion site
Summary
Parents presented petitions and interest forms asking the district to expand the Spanish dual immersion program to Mira Catalina (east side). District staff said Lunada Bay was chosen because of initial enrollment patterns, classroom capacity, bilingual teacher shortages, and benefits of co-located cohorts for instructional quality.
Dozens of parents from across the Palos Verdes Peninsula urged the board on June 10 to expand the district’s Spanish dual immersion program to Mira Catalina, presenting petitions and reporting more than 200 signatures and 15 interest forms for incoming kindergarteners.
“Students don’t enroll in programs that aren’t offered,” said parent and organizer Estani Malco, arguing that lack of outreach and placement on the far side of the hill constrained participation. Parents said transportation and travel time to Lunada Bay — the current single dual-immersion site — make participation difficult for east‑side families.
District staff, led by Dr. Susie Wy, reviewed the program’s implementation history. The district piloted dual immersion in 2022–23 with lotteries open for both Lunada Bay and Mira Catalina, staff said, but initial enrollments did not fill all seats and Lunada Bay ultimately became the single site. Program staff cited several factors influencing that choice: available dedicated classrooms, middle‑school feeder capacity, and a statewide shortage of bilingual teachers holding the required bilingual credential (BCLAD/BCLAD-equivalent credentials).
Dr. Wy and Lunada Bay Principal Buyers told the board that Lunada Bay’s existing bilingual staff, available classroom capacity and the instructional advantages of co‑located cohorts (teacher collaboration and possible classroom rotation models) made it a better single‑site launch point. They said a second classroom at the same school reduces operational risks and supports teacher planning.
Parents disputed staffing and capacity arguments, asking the board to explore reassigning an existing Lunada Bay cohort to Mira Catalina or to identify a phased timeline for a second site. Several parents asked the board to return in September with clearer options and a timetable.
Staff said the district will continue to gather family input and enrollment data, will publicize remaining openings for next year’s kindergarten and TK seats, and will consider bringing a formal proposal back to the board in the fall so that, if the board chooses, the district could operationalize a new site in time for a following school year. Lunada Bay has openings for kindergarten transfers now, presenters said.
What happens next: The board asked staff to return with a data‑driven evaluation and options; staff suggested September as a reasonable time to bring an analysis and possible phased plan for expansion. Families were encouraged to file permits for Lunada Bay while the district studies long‑term expansion.
— Reported from the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District board meeting on June 10, 2026.
