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Bay Point Today
By the People, for the People
Mt. Diablo USD proposes phasing out dual immersion programs
Parents and students protest the district's plan to end Spanish-English dual language programs at two elementary schools.
Published on Feb. 12, 2026
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The Mt. Diablo Unified School District board is proposing to phase out dual immersion English-Spanish language programs at two elementary schools, Bancroft in Walnut Creek and Shoreacres in Bay Point. Dozens of students and parents attended the school board meeting to voice their opposition to the plan, saying the district should pause the proposal and gather more feedback before proceeding.
Why it matters
The dual immersion programs allow students to become fluent in both English and Spanish, a valuable skill in the diverse Bay Area. Families chose to enroll their children and even buy homes near these schools specifically for the dual language offerings. The district's plan to end the programs has sparked an emotional outcry from the affected school communities.
The details
The district said it plans to stop admitting new students to the dual immersion programs, but allow current students to complete their elementary education in the dual-language setting. District officials cited lower academic achievement in the dual immersion programs and challenges finding qualified bilingual teachers as reasons for the proposed changes. Parents argued the district should maintain the programs, noting the personal and educational value of bilingualism.
- The district announced the proposal to phase out the dual immersion programs on February 5, 2026.
- The school board meeting where the proposal was discussed took place on February 11, 2026.
The players
Mt. Diablo Unified School District
The public school district serving communities in Contra Costa County, California, including Walnut Creek and Bay Point.
Bancroft Elementary School
An elementary school in Walnut Creek that currently offers a dual immersion English-Spanish language program.
Shoreacres Elementary School
An elementary school in Bay Point that currently offers a dual immersion English-Spanish language program.
Pegah Charest
A parent with two children enrolled in the dual immersion program at Bancroft Elementary.
Wendi Aghily
The Chief of Pupil Services and Special Education for the Mt. Diablo Unified School District.
What they’re saying
“All of a sudden, with nine days' notice, they pull it out from under us.”
— Pegah Charest, Parent (nbcbayarea.com)
“Children are not some fungible item, like taking marbles from one jar and putting them in another.”
— Unnamed parent, Parent (nbcbayarea.com)
“There will be very real heartbreak, there will be very real distress, and it will not show up on any district chart.”
— Unnamed parent, Parent (nbcbayarea.com)
What’s next
The school board is expected to vote on the proposal to phase out the dual immersion programs at a future meeting.
The takeaway
The proposed changes to the popular dual immersion programs have sparked an emotional backlash from affected families, who argue the district should maintain these valuable bilingual education opportunities rather than phase them out. The district will need to carefully weigh the community feedback before proceeding with its plan.
