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Is anybody familiar with Patrick Henry Dual Immersion in Long Beach? They are a 90/10 program and a K-8 school. I was informed that due to lack of sufficient native speakers, they only have 30% native speakers and 70% English.  They also have 30 students to a teacher. Possibly will go up to 35. Should I be worried about these factors?

I think it is true that increasing classes are a problem all over California.  As for your child not learning English in an immersion program as well as he would in an English only program, you don't need to worry.  About 20 years of research shows that kids who speak the target language (ex. Spanish) learn English just as well, and their academic achievement in all areas is as good as or better than that of kids in English only programs.  Check out http://languageimmersiontoday……language-1.  The rigors of learning a second language help the brain function better in all areas.  BTW, if you haven't seen it, you should see Speaking in Tongues, which is about four kids in dual immersion programs in SF.

Wow.  I just read these replies! (I really need to update myself on internet communication modalities)…so frustrating. Anywhoo…Susan, I went to an open house for this school and I was told that if our children are native speakers, they will get in without a problem due to their shortage of native speaker. I was impressed with the school overall. I have the same concerns as you in regards to my daughter's level of English…but we continue to speak to her in Spanish at home. Please let me know if you hear anything else ;)

Blanca