Duff Language Magnet Academy in the city of Rosemead provides a Chinese (Mandarin) Dual Language Plus Program to elementary students in the Garvey School District. Students learn to read and write using simplified Chinese characters.
After a decade-long hiatus, the school was reopened for the 2018-2019 academic year for Kindergarten students. Currently, our school's forecasts 305 students from Kindergarten to 6th grade. We will be adding TK grade in 2025-2026.
The Chinese Dual Language Plus program follows a 50/50 model with 50% of the instructional time in Chinese and the other 50% in English. Our program is enhanced with a Spanish enrichment program designed to promote exposure and appreciation for Latino culture through visual and performing arts (VAPA). This specialized instructional design is a direct manifestation of our local community's cultural makeup.
As a specialized magnet school, all students must apply during the spring enrollment window. Duff is represented by Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Spanish, and English-Speaking students. Slightly more than 85% of our students speak a home language other than English. As prescribed by the 50/50 dual language immersion model, all students receive instruction from two certificated teachers: 50% percent of academic instruction is delivered in Mandarin by Chinese native teacher and 50% by the English-speaking teacher.
We partner with families and the community to provide an exceptional school experience for our students. Our teachers and staff care deeply for students establishing academic excellence and social-emotional growth. The Duff school community has a common focus on the "whole child." Our practices stem from the Leader in Me school paradigm which teaches 21st-century leadership and life skills to students, creating a culture of student empowerment.