Our School

Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet offers kindergarten through eighth grade students an opportunity to get a quality standards-based education taught in both English and Spanish in a caring family-oriented environment. As of school year 24-25 Horace Mann is also home to a half day bilingual pre-kindergarten program.

All day kindergarten provides a solid foundation for bi-literacy and math. Beginning in kindergarten, students have both an English and a Spanish language arts class where they are taught the foundations for reading in both English and Spanish. Students learn their letter names and letter sounds, develop the ability to decode text, and the skills to express themselves verbally and in writing in both languages.

Every kindergarten through 8^th grade student continues on their journey towards bi-literacy by participating in an English and Spanish language arts class daily. Every elementary student also experiences targeted small reading intervention groups to meet their individual needs in both languages. Reading interventions aim to support gaps in literacy or to enrich students who are on grade level in either language.  

All students in grades kindergarten through 5^th experience math core in the Spanish language of instruction and math intervention in the English language of instruction. Middle school students grades 6^th through 8^th experience math core and math intervention in the English language of instruction.

Horace Mann students are taught to speak, listen, read, and write in both English and Spanish through a strong standards-based curriculum taught in both languages. Students develop the skills needed to become bilingual and biliterate learners who can successfully apply their rich dual language learning to academic and social settings.

All kindergarten through 8th grade students benefit from participating in exploratory classes (physical education, music, art, technology, library) that support district and state standards. These classes are taught through a lens of language acquisition to support students’ dual language learning experience. While our exploratory classes are predominantly taught in English, our students experience a bilingual approach with their music classes. Music is the perfect way to build learner confidence, increase vocabulary, and promote language proficiency in both languages.

Middle school students continue the tradition of academic excellence by participating in honors courses for both math and English language arts. Students who are proficient English reading comprehension, also have access to reading and writing enrichment opportunities. Horace Mann's Gifted Program provides additional opportunities for qualifying students displaying a need for enrichment beyond the general education setting. Middle school electives include art, vocal music, band, orchestra, physical education, technology courses (Tech 1, 2, & pre-engineering), instrumental exploration with emphasis in guitar, and a unique murder mystery project-based learning course. Middle school students have the opportunity to participate in other programs or activities including athletics, Student Council, After School Recreation, Baile Folklórico, Wichita Academic League, BAASE, and LAASE.

In addition to our academics which support a tradition of excellence, Horace Mann is also known for its family engagement and parent involvement, which ensures a caring and connected school community. Parents are encouraged to volunteer or get involved with school wide activities including field trips, Spring Carnaval, Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), Site Council, and several reoccurring family events.

Horace Mann values our family-oriented culture and climate. Our staff works hard to create a warm and caring atmosphere designed to meet the needs of all students. Our core values include excellence, expertise, language equity, inclusivity, and opportunities. Our core values are reflected in how we do business and how we treat our students, families, and each other.

Currently, Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet offers a unique two-way dual language immersion program to Wichita area students. Our dual language program curriculum is based on the Kansas State Standards and is taught in both English and Spanish. To support our two-way dual language immersion structure 50% of incoming kindergarten students’ first language (L1) is English, while the other 50% of students’ L1 is Spanish. English and Spanish speakers are organized into classrooms through thoughtful consideration of their language skills. The distribution of students based on language strengths allows students to serve as models of language for each other. Through this organizational practice students benefit from exposure to strong heritage speakers in both languages. The bilingual pairs structure promotes ongoing collaboration and a cross cultural exchange of ideas between our students.

 

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