The Fort Bend Independent School district, southwest of Houston, is launching seven new programs “in the 2026-27 school year as a part of its Fort Bend Redesign program aimed at retaining and recruiting students as district growth stabilizes.”
The district has faced declining enrollment in the past decade as newer residential communities reach full built-out and with the growth of charter schools in the area. At the grade school level, the district sees immersion as a way to encourage families to stay within the district.
It’s interesting that the Spanish program they’re launching will start at 80% Spanish and 20% English in Kindergarten, ending at a 50/50 split by third grade. However the Mandarin program will be 70% English and 30% Mandarin for all six years of elementary school.
That’s not a model I’ve seen before, many schools start at 50/50 and stay there. And technically it’s not full immersion. But I’m going to give it to them none the less.
Please read more here.
Mandarin Immersion Parents Council 
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