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About Horace Mann

Horace Mann K-8 Dual Language Magnet offers students in kindergarten through eighth grade the opportunity to receive a quality, standards-based education taught in both English and Spanish in a caring, family-oriented environment. Horace Mann students are taught to speak, listen, read, and write in both English and Spanish and develop the skills needed to apply their dual-language learning successfully in academic and social settings.

A Strong Foundation for Biliteracy

All-day kindergarten provides a strong foundation for biliteracy. Beginning in kindergarten, students participate daily in both English Language Arts and Spanish Language Arts, where they learn the foundations of reading in English and Spanish. Students develop letter-name and letter-sound knowledge, decoding skills, oral language, and the ability to express themselves in writing in both languages.

Elementary students also participate in targeted small-group reading instruction designed to meet their individual needs in both languages. These groups provide additional literacy support for students who need it and enrichment for students performing at or above grade level in either language.

In kindergarten through 5th grade, science and social studies standards are intentionally integrated into both English Language Arts and Spanish Language Arts instruction. Standards are thoughtfully divided across the two language blocks, allowing students to build science and social studies knowledge in both languages while strengthening academic vocabulary, content understanding, and biliteracy skills.

Math Instruction

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade receive core math instruction in Spanish and math intervention in English. This instructional approach supports language equity by affirming Spanish as a language of academic learning while helping students build strong numeracy skills and mathematical vocabulary across both languages.

Sixth- through eighth-grade students receive core math instruction and math intervention in English. This approach to numeracy builds on the bilingual and biliterate foundation of our K–5 dual language mathematical instruction and continues to strengthen problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, and academic language in English for future coursework.  

Middle School Academic Opportunities

Middle school students at Horace Mann continue our tradition of academic excellence while advancing on a dual language pathway. Spanish Language Arts continues as a core class, and students also experience Spanish as the language of instruction in social studies and science. These built-in enrichment opportunities allow students to strengthen their academic Spanish, deepen content-area learning, and continue developing bilingualism and biliteracy.

Students also have access to honors courses in math and English Language Arts. Those who demonstrate strong English reading comprehension skills may participate in additional reading and writing enrichment opportunities designed to challenge and extend their learning.

Horace Mann’s Gifted Program provides additional enrichment for qualifying students who need academic opportunities beyond the general education setting.

Family Engagement and Community

In addition to strong academics, Horace Mann is known for family engagement and parent involvement. These partnerships help create a caring and connected school community.

Families are encouraged to volunteer and participate in schoolwide activities such as field trips, Spring Carnaval, Parent-Teacher Organization, Site Council, and recurring family events throughout the school year.

Learn More

To learn more about Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet, please call us at 973-3100.