TK and Kindergarten Enrollment
Mandarin Immersion Program
of the Capistrano Unified School District
2026-2027
Capistrano Unified School District is proud to provide the first publicly offered (no cost) Mandarin Chinese Immersion Program in Orange County. It is a well-proven educational model that provides academic instruction in English and Mandarin Chinese during the 6-year elementary period at Marian Bergeson Elementary. The specific goals of this language immersion program after the 6th year are for students to develop high levels of language proficiency and literacy in both program languages, to demonstrate high levels of academic achievement, and to develop an appreciation for and an understanding of diverse cultures. Students matriculate into Fred Newhart Middle School and Capistrano Valley High School MIP programs.
TK AND KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT STEPS
1. Child must be 4 years old by Sept 1, 2026 in order to apply for the 2026-2027 school year for TK.
Child must be 5 years old by Sept 1, 2026 in order to apply for the 2026-27 school year for K.
2. All incoming TK and Kindergarteners need to apply. The application window is 11/17/25 to 12/19/25. Families who apply during this period will receive priority consideration. Once all applications from the enrollment window have been processed, any additional applicants will be placed on a waiting list until there are enough students to form an additional class.
New families interested in enrolling in grades 1–5 are encouraged to attend the orientation. Availability for these grades will depend on current enrollment. Students entering TK through 1st grade do not need to take a Mandarin proficiency test, while students entering grades 2–5 will be required to take a placement test once space in that grade level is confirmed.
3. Attend a mandatory Mandarin Immersion Program Information Meeting
Bergeson Elementary School hosts information meetings for interested parents with the purpose of providing an overview of the Mandarin Immersion Program and its expectations. See available dates and times below.
4. Complete the Language Immersion Program Application
Parents complete a paper or online Language Immersion Program Application within the application window for Language Immersion. Parents may submit only ONE application for one language immersion school.
5. Written Notification
Within three weeks of the closing of the application window, parents receive a written notification as to whether or not their child is accepted into the Mandarin Immersion Program. Notification of acceptance into the program begins in spring.
6. Enrollment Packet
Once parents receive written notification of acceptance into the program, an enrollment packet is picked up at Bergeson. Enrollment packets must be completed and turned in to the school within the established time frame. Failure to return a completed packet within the school's timeline may result in revocation of acceptance and placement on a waiting list.
For more information about Language Immersion at CUSD, please visit the CUSD Language Immersion information page.
TK AND KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT STEPS
1. Child must be 4 years old by Sept 1, 2026 in order to apply for the 2026-2027 school year for TK.
Child must be 5 years old by Sept 1, 2026 in order to apply for the 2026-27 school year for K.
2. All incoming TK and Kindergarteners need to apply. The application window is 11/17/25 to 12/19/25. Families who apply during this period will receive priority consideration. Once all applications from the enrollment window have been processed, any additional applicants will be placed on a waiting list until there are enough students to form an additional class.
New families interested in enrolling in grades 1–5 are encouraged to attend the orientation. Availability for these grades will depend on current enrollment. Students entering TK through 1st grade do not need to take a Mandarin proficiency test, while students entering grades 2–5 will be required to take a placement test once space in that grade level is confirmed.
3. Attend a mandatory Mandarin Immersion Program Information Meeting
Bergeson Elementary School hosts information meetings for interested parents with the purpose of providing an overview of the Mandarin Immersion Program and its expectations. See available dates and times below.
4. Complete the Language Immersion Program Application
Parents complete a paper or online Language Immersion Program Application within the application window for Language Immersion. Parents may submit only ONE application for one language immersion school.
5. Written Notification
Within three weeks of the closing of the application window, parents receive a written notification as to whether or not their child is accepted into the Mandarin Immersion Program. Notification of acceptance into the program begins in spring.
6. Enrollment Packet
Once parents receive written notification of acceptance into the program, an enrollment packet is picked up at Bergeson. Enrollment packets must be completed and turned in to the school within the established time frame. Failure to return a completed packet within the school's timeline may result in revocation of acceptance and placement on a waiting list.
For more information about Language Immersion at CUSD, please visit the CUSD Language Immersion information page.
Tours and InformationThis is a very popular program and space is extremely limited. For more information, please attend one of the required informational meetings.
For more information contact Bergeson Elementary School at 949-643-1540 or Capistrano Unified School District. Bergeson Elementary School 25302 Rancho Niguel Rd Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 |
Mandatory Informational Meeting TimesOur mandatory informational meetings will take place in the Multipurpose Room at Bergeson Elementary School. Please call Bergeson at 949-643-1540 for more information and to sign up!
Transitional Kindergarten:
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Parent CommitmentFor students to be successful in the Mandarin Immersion Program, there will need to be a partnership between the school and family.
Students should remain in the program at least through eighth grade in order to gain the full benefit of the program. Parents need to make this long-term commitment and are expected to be active participants in their child’s education at school and home.
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Parent ResponsibilitiesIt is every parent’s responsibility to...
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