{"id":15227,"date":"2026-04-16T11:41:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T18:41:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/?page_id=15227"},"modified":"2026-10-21T19:35:22","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T02:35:22","slug":"glad","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/glad\/","title":{"rendered":"GLAD"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”header” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_enable_color=”off” background_image=”https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2026\/04\/IMG_5956-1000×667-1.jpg” background_size=”custom” background_image_height=”300px” background_position=”center_right” background_color_phone=”rgba(255,255,255,0.42)” background_last_edited=”on|phone” background_enable_color_phone=”on” background_enable_image_tablet=”off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]

\u00a1Bienvenidos!<\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text content_tablet=”

Dual Language Program<\/h1>” content_phone=”

Dual Language Program<\/h1>” content_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]

Ward\u2019s Dual Language Program<\/h1>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

TK \u2013 Kindergarten<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_id=”mission” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”20px||34px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||1rem||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Downey Unified\u2019s G.L.A.D. dual language immersion program is now available at Ward Elementary School. The Dual-Immersion Program aims to promote bilingualism and bi-literacy, academic achievement, and multicultural competence for all students.\u00a0<\/span>Our program teaches children to communicate naturally in two languages to become literate in both English and Spanish. \u00a0<\/span><\/span>Throughout\u00a0the program, students will learn how to\u00a0speak, read,<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0write<\/strong>\u00a0in the new language while growing their knowledge of their first language.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2025\/08\/GLAD_vertical_WARD_3.png” alt=”Global Language Academies of Downey at Ward logo” title_text=”GLAD_vertical_WARD_3″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” height=”150px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

How It Works<\/h3>\n

Our Dual-Language\u00a0Immersion Program\u00a0is a 90\/10 model\u00a0where beginning Kindergarteners\u00a0receive 90% of instruction\u00a0in Spanish and 10% of instruction\u00a0in English. The percentage of instruction in English increases in each subsequent grade until reaching a 50\/50 model in 4th grade. Students from both language groups attend class together, learn from each other and receive academic instruction in both languages. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2023\/06\/IMG_4425-510×288-1.jpg” alt=”Ward students smiling at camera” title_text=”IMG_4425-510×288″ align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”20px||20px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|tablet” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2026\/10\/IMG_7725-700×400-1.jpg” alt=”glad students” title_text=”IMG_7725-700×400″ align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ custom_margin=”||2rem||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|tablet” custom_padding=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]The rigorous curriculum we use in our dual language program focuses on common core standards. While we work on second-language acquisition, our main priority is on our students\u2019 high academic achievement.\n\n

Instructional Approach<\/h3>\nCGI Math<\/strong>\n\nBalanced Literacy<\/strong>\n
    \n\t
  • Read Aloud<\/li>\n\t
  • Shared Reading<\/li>\n\t
  • Guided Reading<\/li>\n\t
  • Phonics<\/li>\n<\/ul>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#efefef” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Program Goals<\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”||||false|false” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” border_width_all=”3px” border_color_all=”#FF9900″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/unsworth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/03\/4_SelfMotivated.png” alt=”Holistic Education” title_text=”4_SelfMotivated” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#65286F” custom_margin=”||5px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    High Academic Achievement<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”|20px||0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Throughout the program, one of our main focuses continues to be an academic success. Students will meet or exceed grade-level Rigorous standards in both English and the target language, which is Spanish.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” border_width_all=”3px” border_color_all=”#FF9900″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/unsworth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/03\/1_HigherReasoning-150×150-1.png” alt=”Higher Reasoning” title_text=”1_HigherReasoning” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#65286F” custom_margin=”||5px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Bilingualism & Biliteracy<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”|20px||0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Our goal is for our students to become balanced bilinguals. They will be able to speak fluently and read and write proficiently in two<\/strong> languages.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” border_width_all=”3px” border_color_all=”#FF9900″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/unsworth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/03\/3_RespectForCultures-150×150-1.png” alt=”Respect For Cultures” title_text=”3_RespectForCultures” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||5px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Sociocultural Competence<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”|20px||0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Students learn and appreciate cultures other than their own and learn and appreciate the culture of the target language by our Diversity Units of Study.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#E0E0E0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||1rem||false|false” header_2_text_align_tablet=”center” header_2_text_align_phone=”center” header_2_text_align_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Want to Know More About G.L.A.D.?<\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/glad\/?utm_campaign=glad&utm_medium=webbutton&utm_source=ward&utm_content&utm_term” button_text=”Learn More” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#0F4B91″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    \u00a1Bienvenidos!Ward\u2019s Dual Language ProgramTK \u2013 KindergartenDowney Unified\u2019s G.L.A.D. dual language immersion program is now available at Ward Elementary School. The Dual-Immersion Program aims to promote bilingualism and bi-literacy, academic achievement, and multicultural competence for all students.\u00a0Our program teaches children to communicate naturally in two languages to become literate in both English and Spanish. \u00a0Throughout\u00a0the program, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-15227","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\r\nGLAD | Ward Elementary School<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The G.L.A.D. dual language immersion program teaches children to think, read, write, and communicate in English and Spanish.\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/glad\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"GLAD | Ward Elementary School\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The G.L.A.D. dual language immersion program teaches children to think, read, write, and communicate in English and Spanish.\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/glad\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Ward Elementary School\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-22T02:35:22+00:00\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\r\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/glad\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/glad\\\/\",\"name\":\"GLAD | Ward Elementary School\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-16T18:41:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-22T02:35:22+00:00\",\"description\":\"The G.L.A.D. dual language immersion program teaches children to think, read, write, and communicate in English and Spanish.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/glad\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/glad\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/glad\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"GLAD\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/\",\"name\":\"Ward Elementary School\",\"description\":\"Fearlessly Learning, Every Day, Every Way!\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Ward Elementary School\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/55\\\/2019\\\/10\\\/WARD_LOGO.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/55\\\/2019\\\/10\\\/WARD_LOGO.png\",\"width\":1060,\"height\":310,\"caption\":\"Ward Elementary School\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/web.dusd.net\\\/ward\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}}]}<\/script>\r\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"GLAD | Ward Elementary School","description":"The G.L.A.D. dual language immersion program teaches children to think, read, write, and communicate in English and Spanish.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/glad\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"GLAD | Ward Elementary School","og_description":"The G.L.A.D. dual language immersion program teaches children to think, read, write, and communicate in English and Spanish.","og_url":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/glad\/","og_site_name":"Ward Elementary School","article_modified_time":"2026-10-22T02:35:22+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/glad\/","url":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/glad\/","name":"GLAD | Ward Elementary School","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-04-16T18:41:41+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-22T02:35:22+00:00","description":"The G.L.A.D. dual language immersion program teaches children to think, read, write, and communicate in English and Spanish.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/glad\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/glad\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/glad\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"GLAD"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/#website","url":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/","name":"Ward Elementary School","description":"Fearlessly Learning, Every Day, Every Way!","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/#organization","name":"Ward Elementary School","url":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/10\/WARD_LOGO.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/10\/WARD_LOGO.png","width":1060,"height":310,"caption":"Ward Elementary School"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15227","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15227"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15227\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15467,"href":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15227\/revisions\/15467"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/ward\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}