Posted on March 17, 2025 by Katelyn Juarez
How a pioneering partnership between UTSA and SAISD is transforming dual language education.
Irving Dual Language Academy students use their computers to complete a lesson.
In bustling classrooms across San Antonio, the sounds of Spanish and English seamlessly intertwine as students engage in lively discussions. This is the reality for hundreds of students participating in a groundbreaking partnership between San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) and UTSA.
As the first dual language program of its kind in the state, the partnership is funded by a Senate Bill 1882 grant. The Dual Language Community Lab Schools Partnership launched in 2021 as a network of three campuses in SAISD and added a fourth school in 2023. In 2024, two additional buildings were added to accommodate waitlists at two campuses. The six sites have become a model for evolving dual language programs. At the heart of the program is an 80/20 instructional model – 80% of lessons delivered in Spanish and 20% in English. This approach, along with a strong focus on students’ cultural backgrounds, is unlocking remarkable bilingual potential for pre-K through 8th grade students.
The campuses in the partnership include James Bonham Primary, James Bonham Academy, Irving Dual Language Academy, Mark Twain Primary, Mark Twain Dual Language Academy and Charles Graeber Elementary School. The four school leaders of the 1882 Partnership collaborate to share best practices and drive academic achievement through collective expertise. Funding supports professional development for teachers, staff, and leaders, fostering growth and improving instruction. Refined governance and evaluation systems enhance organizational effectiveness, while monthly 1882 Principal Professional Learning Networks and weekly meetings with UTSA directors provide real-time feedback, research discussions, and classroom walk-throughs to keep efforts dynamic and student-focused.
The cultural responsiveness is evident in the classroom, where students eagerly share their family’s culinary traditions or discuss the significance of certain practices in their home. “Rather than feeling shy or embarrassed about their backgrounds, the students beam with pride, excited to share the beauty of their language and heritage,” says Dr. Juanita Santos, executive director of the program.
“What sets this partnership apart is the way it elevates the cultural richness and ‘funds of knowledge’ that our emergent bilingual students bring to the classroom,” explains Dr. Claudia Cabrera, assistant director of the program. “We’re not just teaching the content – we’re creating an environment where students can thrive as bilingual, bicultural individuals.”
Vibrant murals and artwork across the campuses and communities reflect the celebration of culture. “Our students see themselves reflected in the vibrant displays, which further reinforces the value we place on their identities and experiences,” says Santos. Field trips to the UTSA Downtown Campus provide students with the opportunity to see the richness of San Antonio, what is accessible to them and that college is attainable, especially in their own city.
The partnership’s impact extends far beyond the classroom walls, thanks to the invaluable support and expertise of UTSA. Through ongoing research and professional development, UTSA is helping to document the program’s success and equip educators with the tools to thrive.
“We have professors from various departments, such as counseling and literacy, who are actively engaged in the program,” says Santos. “They’re not only conducting case studies to understand the factors behind our campuses’ high achievement, but they’re also providing teachers with cutting-edge strategies to enhance language development and social-emotional learning.”
Clinical teachers and graduate counseling students also have the opportunity to expand their skills at the campuses and undergo a transformative mentorship experience. “The clinical teachers start by observing and emulating the master mentor teachers, but by the conclusion of their training, the distinction between clinical and mentor teacher becomes indistinguishable due to their refined instructional practices,” says Cabrera. “They’ve undergone a true metamorphosis, fully equipped to lead their own classrooms and implement the dual language strategies with confidence.”
Becoming the Teacher She Needed
Rocio Miramontes ’24, a first-generation student who recently graduated with her Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in bilingual education, was one of the clinical teachers who had the opportunity to be a part of the partnership.
“Being in this partnership has taught me that you can never really be prepared for what you will encounter in the classroom, however, it has helped me become more equipped to handle lots of types of situations,” Miramontes says.
Immigrating from Mexico to the U.S. in 2006 with her parents inspired Miramontes to be the teacher she wished she had. “Being able to build a classroom community in which my students can feel proud of their native language and embrace their bilingualism is the most rewarding part of my job,” says Miramontes.
The Academic Advantage
The connection between theory and practice is evident in the program’s outcomes. Schools within the partnerships have consistently outperformed their peers in academic achievement, with standout campuses like Twain and Bonham showing impressive attendance rates and student growth.
As the program looks to the future, there have been discussions about possibly expanding the partnership to the high school level one day, ensuring a seamless dual language education pathway. “We’ve developed a strong relationship with SAISD, and the superintendent fully supports our vision of empowering students with bilingualism, biliteracy, academic excellence, cultural appreciation, and global benefits,” says Santos. “Together we’re committed to replicating this model and sharing our best practices with other districts, transforming the educational landscape for bilingual learners nationwide.”
— Katelyn Juarez
