In the initial years, the curriculum heavily emphasizes Mandarin. As students advance through grade levels, the focus on Mandarin gradually diminishes, while English instruction increases to prepare for state level testing. Elementary Level (Marian Bergeson Elementary)(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bergeson.capousd.org/Mandarin-Info/MIP-Program-and-Curriculum/index.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1764054742945706&usg=AOvVaw1wE3CqY-2nO_nnD8w027Rx) • TK/K/1st Grade – 80/20% • 2nd Grade – 70/30% • 3rd Grade – 60/40% • 4th/5th Grade – 50/50% Middle School (Newhart Middle School)(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://newhart.capousd.org/Departments/Mandarin-Immersion-Program-MIP/index.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1764054742946661&usg=AOvVaw1OJgNBqBVakaSrxk8FJixU) • 6th & 7th grade - 2 class periods taught in Mandarin • 8th grade - 1 class period High School (Capo Valley High School)(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.cvhs.com/Academics/Mandarin-Immersion-Program/index.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1764054742947302&usg=AOvVaw2Aitz61Ku_lvngcJk1LzZS) • 9th grade - 2 class periods • 10th-12 grade - 1 class period

California multiple subject credential with a Bilingual Authorization in Mandarin BCLAD/BAMA.

No, the program was designed for children of families who do not speak Mandarin. Having your children engage with Mandarin songs, cartoons, and movies will improve their listening and comprehension skills, thereby fostering cognitive brain development. Through the fundraising efforts from Friends of MIP (FoMIP), we hire assistant teachers to aid in the classroom learning. We buy learning materials, software to enhance your child’s learning experience. In addition, you may enroll your child in YMCA afterschool care where the assistance will help your child with homework.

The program will start with traditional characters then introduce Simplified Mandarin in middle school. Some reasons to teach both: Benefits of Learning Traditional Chinese Characters: • Cultural Depth: Traditional characters offer a deeper connection to Chinese history, culture, and the intrinsic meaning of each word. Their construction, often based on radicals, can facilitate learning. • Easier Transition to Simplified: Once you've learned traditional characters, reading simplified characters becomes relatively easy. • Richer Vocabulary: While only about 2,000 simplified characters are in common use, there are over 100,000 traditional characters (with approximately 8,000 in regular use), offering a more extensive vocabulary. • Richer Etymological Connection: Traditional characters retain the original forms, which often directly illustrate the meaning and historical context of the word. For example, the traditional character for "love" (愛) includes the component for "heart" (心), while the simplified version (爱) does not, making the Traditional form a stronger tool for initial vocabulary acquisition and mnemonic recall • Educational Advantage: Many private schools in China teach traditional characters alongside simplified ones to provide students with a competitive edge. • Relevance in Advanced Studies: Mainland China is promoting the learning of traditional characters in higher education, particularly for ancient history, medicine, and other fields where they are still prevalent. • Broader Global Recognition: While Simplified is used in mainland China, Traditional characters are the standard in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and many overseas Chinese communities (e.g., in the US, Canada, Europe). Starting with Traditional ensures the curriculum is immediately relevant to a wider range of cultural and business hubs.

Along with traditional Chinese characters, Mandarin phonetics (Zhu Yin) will be taught as a fundamental building block which could be conceptually transferred to English phonetics. The Pin-Yin (the spelling out of Chinese using letters of the Roman/Latin alphabet) are introduced in 3rd grade when students begin using Chromebooks to learn how to type in Chinese as well.

The following is an estimate based on other Mandarin Immersion schools: • Kindergarten - approximately 30 characters (recognition only) • 1st Grade - approximately 150 characters (reading and writing) • 2nd Grade - 5th Grade - an additional 100-150 phrases per grade level • Students have learned approximately 600-800 characters/phrases at the end of 5th grade

In the primary school years: • TK (20:1, with teacher’s aid it becomes 10:1) • Classrooms can range from 20:1 - 30:1 (average is 25:1) • Friends of MIP fundraises money to hire Assistant Teachers proficient in Mandarin to assist the teachers and aid in the student learning. The ratio becomes (25:2).

A lottery system will take place. A series of mandatory orientation parent meetings will take place to ensure only committed families are part of the process. Children who live in the district and siblings of existing program students WILL have priority over out of district students.

You can start enrolling your child starting in TK, K and 1st grade (will require additional support). Students entering MIP in grades 2nd and beyond are required to take an assessment through the Office of Language Acquisition.(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.capousd.org/subsites/Education--Support-Services/Curriculum--Instruction/Language-Acquisition-Office/Language-Immersion-Programs/index.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1764054742970579&usg=AOvVaw0ZIye4zMXIt4IicFTz8MSB)

The Mandarin Immersion Program is FREE! We are three public schools under Capistrano Unified School District. This is a 14 year Mandarin Immersion Program that starts from TK (transitional kindergarten) -12th grade. The three schools are: 1. Marian Bergeson Elementary(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bergeson.capousd.org/Mandarin-Info/MIP-Program-and-Curriculum/index.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1764054742972904&usg=AOvVaw3n1zDdONNYe4wzOMDNTRpX) 2. Newhart Middle School(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://newhart.capousd.org/Departments/Mandarin-Immersion-Program-MIP/index.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1764054742973246&usg=AOvVaw3ZG0RSbBQzGSqGL6s6F-SN) 3. Capo Valley High School)(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.cvhs.com/Academics/Mandarin-Immersion-Program/index.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1764054742973556&usg=AOvVaw3XD_rZLfndktdzMjfy-gLp) Capistrano Unified School District’s Mandarin Immersion Program (TK-12) is described as the crown jewel for the district. You are getting a private school-like instruction that enables opportunities for your child’s future. Friend of MIP raises money to add additional learning materials, hire assistant teachers to aid in the development of your child. Donate to Friends of MIP.(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.friendsofmip.com/donate.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1764054742974922&usg=AOvVaw2xOKwNRS6xw80qcPqvsRWf)

The Capistrano Unified School District replaced preschool with TK (Transitional Kindergarten) classes in 2024. Age requirements for TK: Your child needs to turn 4 by September 1st of the school year. Getting your child exposed early in learning a new language will significantly help their brain development. View nearby preschools and Montessori schools with Mandarin Immersion.

• TK: 8:00am - 1:45pm • K: 7:45am - 1:55pm • 1st - 5th: 7:45am - 2:05pm • Thursdays is early dismissal View latest Bergeson bell schedule.(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bergeson.capousd.org/School-Info/Bell-Schedules/index.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1764054742979845&usg=AOvVaw3a5A5wWEeQyWGBQSZ4bNH2)

Yes, YMCA Before & After School Care is available on the Bergeson campus. YMCA provides activities that includes: • Homework Support • Outdoor Play • STEM Activities • Enrichment Clubs: like arts, science, technology, cooking and more! • Opportunities for leadership skills development • Character Development & Education • Social-emotional Learning • Afternoon Healthy Snack • And more! In addition, YMCA operates year round during summers and winters for families who must work. Learn more about YMCA Year Round Care.(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bergeson.capousd.org/Programs/YMCA-Year-Round-Programs/index.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1764054742984268&usg=AOvVaw31R2hQ2imVbKWW_aJijlAP)

Yes, Saddleback Community College has a Before and After School Enrichment (BASE) classes. Instructors come to the school to teach specialty classes that include arts & crafts, chess, STEM, sports, and much more. Learn more about BASE.(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://saddleback.augusoft.net/index.cfm&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1764054742986533&usg=AOvVaw3opXffX4mRnGiEsXKWufZ1) We also have a drama club that puts on a play at the end of the school year! We also have a student talent show, where the students can showcase other talents such as playing an instrument, singing, magic trick, dancing, etc.

Bergeson Elementary: • Mid-Autumn Festival / Moon Festival: is a harvest festival and a time for family reunion, celebrated by admiring the full moon and eating moon cakes. • Luna New Year: students wear traditional outfits and learn traditional songs. The students perform a dragon dance, flower dance, and our school performs at public events for the community. • Carnivals: towards the end of the school year, the Bergeson PTA arranges to have fun activities with bounce houses, food, games, and prizes. • Other: Dance Night, Movie Night

Bergeson Elementary: Currently, the state provides FREE meals to the students. This includes a morning snack and lunch. View the meal menu.(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://capistrano.healtheliving.net/what-we-do/menus/&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1764054742997569&usg=AOvVaw098RFy57WvDML1uyFAcK0Z)