Cesar Chavez Language Academy is a TK-8th Grade school; our students spend more time here than any other place in their young lives. We strive to make the students’ time not only filled with excellent educational opportunities, but also cultural activities, after school clubs, assemblies, school sports, and other enrichment activities. Since our inception in 2013 we have been committed to keeping the inclusive feel of our school as we continue growing our student body and programs.

We are the first Spanish immersion school in Santa Rosa and the fastest growing school within the Santa Rosa City Schools. In 2019 we moved to a new campus in South West Santa Rosa where we completed a number of renovations and upgrades and have space to offer even more programs for our students.

“Community” is a recurring term in everything that we do at CCLA and it is not by accident. Our community is what makes us unique, what gets us through tough times and what propels us forward. Community means that everyone is welcome, everyone is cared for and everyone has a place here. Our students come from all over Santa Rosa and from many different neighborhoods, but together we are The CCLA Community: growing, exceptional, and making a difference.

Bilingual. Biliterate. Bicultural. BY CHOICE. 

This is the motto of Cesar Chavez Language Academy, a public charter school in Santa Rosa that embraces both the social justice mission of its namesake as well as the spirit of his life. ¡Sí, se puede! We strive to educate children in the joy  and passion for language, culture, diversity, and inclusivity.

Our school was founded in 2013 with just 66 TK/Kindergarten students. We now boast 440 students and a waiting list at  every grade level.  If you would like your child to be part of a new generation of  learners who embrace and celebrate diversity, who strive to become the bridge  between communities, and who would be proud to become collaborative leaders of a 21^st century workforce, we would love to welcome you and your child to our school.

Cesar Chavez Language Academy is SRCS’s first English and Spanish Dual Immersion program.

Imagine your children learning a second language during their elementary school years, giving them the advantage of being bilingual by the time they graduate.  For parents who want their children to be well prepared to compete in a global economy, that’s the attraction of a Dual Immersion program.  As a dependent charter school, CCLA’s program is available to any interested elementary students within the district and surrounding districts. A goal of our Dual Immersion program is to develop a child’s proficiency in English and Spanish through reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The program is academically sound, based on over forty years of research.

Enrollment is encouraged for students entering kindergarten who are either native speakers of English, or native speakers of a “target” language (in CCLA’s dual immersion program, Spanish is considered the target language).

English speakers who acquire a second language in their early years benefit because that’s when the human brain is most receptive to language learning. Dual Immersion learners become highly proficient in the target language (Spanish). Social benefits include cultural awareness and positive attitudes about ethnic diversity. Being bilingual offers a competitive advantage in today’s globalized economy.

How Dual Immersion works in the classroom
Language is the vehicle for instruction using the same curricula as English-only classes. Dual Immersion educators are trained to teach in both Spanish and English. Immersion students are taught core content—Math, Reading, Writing, Science, and Social Studies—in both languages.

The table below shows how instructional time is divided between Spanish language instruction and English language instruction for each grade level. Dual Immersion starts in Kindergarten with a higher percentage of instructional time in Spanish relative to English. By grade 4, Spanish and English instructional time is half and half, or 50/50.
 

• 90/10 in grades K and 1:all subject matter is taught in Spanish without translation. Students receive oral English language development and literacy development appropriate to their English language level for 45-60 minutes daily from another teacher at the same grade level. 

• 70/30 in grades 2 and 3:  instructional time is allotted by Spanish being taught 70 percent and English taught 30 percent of the day. English literacy is increased in third grade with Spanish literacy continuing through the grades. Spanish teachers work with English teacher partners, trading students during the school day. 

• 50/50 in grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 instructional time is divided between English and Spanish with the range of 50% to 50% of classes taught in Spanish and English.

Kindergarten registration:

2nd week of January the SRCS district opens up the google invite form for Charter School enrollment and it is open for 1 month. Then before SRCS goes on Spring Break the Charter Lottery is done and emails will be sent, announcing if the child was accepted or waitlisted. Parents whose child has been accepted will need to complete “The letter of intent” to begin the process to enroll at CCLA. Once the letter of intent is submitted, official registration is completed. Parents will then need to create their account on Illuminate Ed Portal and complete the online forms. As well as, submit the required registration documents: Proof of address, immunization records, birth certificates, physical and dental. 

Entering CCLA after Kinder and not coming from another Spanish immersion program:

Your child will be placed on the waitlist and if a spot becomes available then your child will be tested on their Spanish proficiency. 

Entering CCLA from another dual immersion program:

Your child will be placed on the waitlist and if a spot is available they can be enrolled.

When the Charter Lottery opens in the second week of January, go to srschool.org and fill out the charter lottery form.

In order to be considered for enrollment, students must also fill out this: Boundary Change Form

If you cannot print from your home, please come to the school office for a copy. Once that is approved, we will contact you to enroll in our school.

If your child is coming from a different Dual Immersion school, they can apply for our Dual Immersion (Spanish/English) Pathway. Students from CCLA’s 6th grade class automatically matriculate to 7th grade. 

Any student interested in taking Spanish 1 or Spanish for Native Speakers can enroll in our World Language Pathway. 

Any Native Spanish speakers who do not speak fluent English can benefit from our Newcomer Pathway. 

In addition, we will also be offering a Traditional Pathway, where students can take two electives. 

Once your child is enrolled, they will choose their Pathway.