The following is a brief description of some of the unique experiences offered at Longfellow Spanish Immersion School:

GATE Cluster Program ( Grades 3-8)
The Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program is designed to identify, motivate, and challenge exceptionally bright and capable students.  The GATE cluster program at Longfellow begins in Grade 3 and continues through Grade 8.  Students are tested for GATE in Grade 2, 5 and 7.  The district uses the Raven Progressive Matrices to identify gifted students.  The Raven is a non-reading test of cognitive processing skills on how a student thinks, not the ability to memorize facts or possess a broad vocabulary.  Once a student is identified as GATE, that student does not need to take the test again.  The GATE coordinator is Diana C. Sanchez and the GATE Team leader is Angela Froehlich.

Literacy Block
All students, grades K-8, participate in the district-wide literacy program.  Three hours of the day are dedicated to literacy development through a balanced approach of reading, writing, and word/language study instruction.

Full Day Kindergarten
Kindergarten students attend school on the same schedule as the older students.  This program is designed to help transition young students to the rigors of a full day with developmentally appropriate educational activities to facilitate reading, writing and math readiness for the first grade.

Library
Our library is available for children to extend their reading and library skills. Our library assistant will be sending home information during the first week of school on how your child and you can use and support the library.  The library is always in need of parent volunteers to help shelf books and help students during their library visits. Please contact the school if you are interested.  Longfellow holds a Scholastic Book Fair during the year where parents and students can purchase quality Spanish and English books and help support the library.

Instrumental Music Program
A district-sponsored program brings instrumental instructors to the school to give instrumental music lessons to interested students in grades 4 –8.  Instrumental music is a component of the California State Framework in the Visual and Performing Arts. We celebrate the students’ accomplishments by inviting their families to see them perform in a Spring Instrumental Concert.

OCILE
For one week during the year, grades 4, 5 and 6 students participate in the Off Campus Integrate Learning Experience (OCILE).  Each year our 4th graders spend the week in Old Town,  5th graders visit Balboa Park and our 6th graders camp on Palomar Mountain.

Physical Education Program
Every classroom, grades K-8, participates in a physical education program where students are not only taught new physical skills, games and rules, but they work on sportsmanship and attitudes skills as well.