Ben Milam International Academy launches first-ever Pre-K three bilingual program
Jan. 30—MIDLAND — Ben Milam International Academy has announced the implementation of its first Pre-K three bilingual program offering three-year-olds an opportunity to develop the skills and readiness needed for future success. This program is designed to prepare students to transition into Pre-K four, providing them with a strong academic and social foundation.
This program is part of Midland ISD's only dual-language two-way program, which integrates English learners and fluent English speakers in a 90/10 model. Students in each group serve as language models for one another, with the ultimate goal of fostering fluency in speaking, reading, and writing in both English and Spanish.
The Pre-K three bilingual program emphasizes structure and routine while engaging students with age-appropriate, interactive learning strategies. A "balanced literacy" approach combines whole language practices, such as read-alouds and shared reading, with explicit phonics instruction. This method fosters early literacy skills, promotes a love for reading, and incorporates hands-on interactive activities.
Recognizing that children learn in diverse ways, the program incorporates a multisensory approach—engaging audio, verbal, tactile, and kinesthetic learning styles. This strategy ensures that every child receives personalized support tailored to their needs.
"An important point to remember when teaching little ones is that they do not learn with just a pencil and worksheet," Alma Ramon, Pre-K three teacher, said in a news release. "They learn through engaging and playful activities. That is what I implement in my classroom every day."
Parental involvement is a key component of the program, which encourages families to participate actively in their child's educational journey. Strengthening the school-home connection ensures that learning continues beyond the classroom, setting students up for long-term success.
"As a teacher, it is hard to be easily impressed, but I am impressed by my daughter's growth in such a short time," said Jennie Bridger, Ben Milam Pre-K three parent. "I know it is working because she does not have bilingual support at home, and she is still picking up the language. The program is developmentally rich and appropriate for three-year-olds. The language is the cherry on top."
Ben Milam International Academy's Pre-K three program not only highlights the importance of early childhood education but also reflects Midland ISD's commitment to nurturing the potential of every child.
Entry into the dual-language program begins at the Pre-K three, Pre-K four, or Kindergarten level. Families interested in applying must first attend a parent information meeting, with dates available on the school's website at https://milam.midlandisd.net or by calling Ben Milam International Academy at (432) 240-7500. Applications for Pre-K three and Pre-K four will open on April 1, 2025, through Apply Midland.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Like in Harry Potter': Phoenix Camelback High School freshmen split into 'houses'
Phoenix Union High School District is building a stronger foundation for incoming students by restructuring freshman year. Students will now be split into different 'houses' to build closer relationships with teachers and staff. 'If you're going to be successful with 600 different kids from diverse backgrounds, speaking different languages from different countries, you need a more customized, bespoke approach,' said James Arndt, principal of Phoenix Union's Camelback High School. 'The best way to do that — shrink the school.' Camelback High School receives hundreds of incoming freshmen from 43 middle schools across Phoenix. Freshman houses will create a system where students don't get lost in the numbers and teachers can keep track of their progress, Arndt said. Freshmen will be divided into four houses. Each house will have four core teachers in algebra, biology, English and health who monitor students' grades, as well as counselors, social workers, an attendance liaison and the freshmen house coordinator. 'Think like in Harry Potter — there's Gryffindor and Slytherin and Ravenclaw,' said Arndt. 'Our teams are named Earth, Air, Fire and Water." Students under the same house will have the same teachers, which allows educators to communicate with each other and keep tabs on students, said freshman house coordinator for Camelback High School, Erika Wimble. Wimble gathers data on students' grades and attendance and distributes them to teachers once a week. Teachers will then use one of their free periods to discuss how their students are doing. The goal is to help students connect with their teachers and lay the foundation for the rest of their high school years, Arndt said. 'Camelback is a really, really big school, and high school in general is just really scary,' said Dezzarae Medina, 18, a recent Camelback High School graduate. Medina began her freshman year at Camelback later in the year and found teachers to be supportive inside and outside of school. As a straight-A student, she remembered an instance when her then-English teacher reached out after Medina got a B to offer after-school assistance. 'I felt like the support system my freshman year kind of allowed me to open up enough to feel OK to ask questions,' Medina said. Camelback High School first adopted the house model on a small scale in 2019, according to Arndt. After COVID-19, the school was allowed to implement the new program across its whole campus. They received additional assistance from the Center for High School Success, which connected with Phoenix Union to introduce the 9th Grade on Track program to the district. 9th Grade on Track measures how likely a student is to graduate and continue postsecondary education based on the number of credits they complete during their freshman year. To maximize success, Camelback moved its best teachers to freshmen classes as part of its restructuring, Arndt said. Wimble said she views the program as 'trickle-up education' since freshmen involved with 9th Grade on Track proved to have better grades in their following years. 'I had a senior teacher once tell me, 'I never want to teach freshmen, but I will support you in whatever you need, because if your freshmen are successful, my job is gonna be easier as a senior teacher,' said Wimble. There has been an increase in Camelback High School's "on track" rates, or what determines students' likelihood of graduating, from 39% for the 2019-20 school year to 76% for the 2023-24 school year, according to the Center for High School Success. Camelback High School has also seen chronic absenteeism decrease from 45% in 2019-20 to 25% in the 2023-24 school year, according to the high school's data. The Arizona Department of Education has also increased Camelback High School's state report card grade from D to B and has even been used as a demonstration school by the Center for High School Success for its 9th Grade on Track implementation. Seniors placed in freshmen houses have seen a rise in their ACT scores and received four times the number of scholarships at $22 million, according to Arndt. Arndt said the different freshmen houses would inspire some friendly competition among their teachers, but it was not something they wanted to directly involve their students to keep the new system positive. However, that didn't stop students from trying to better their peers. 'I feel like from first quarter to fourth quarter, we did improve a lot just by that little competition that we had between houses," said sophomore Daniella Lerma, 15. Teachers within Lerma's house would frequently check in on her and how she was balancing school and extracurriculars, which kept Lerma motivated throughout her freshman year. The freshman house also allowed her to connect with her peers and build friendships. 'It's a better start,' said Lerma. 'If I didn't have that support, I wouldn't be where I am today.' Coverage of education solutions on and in The Arizona Republic is partially supported by a grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation's Arizona Community Collaborative Fund. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix high school adopts Harry Potter model to help students improve
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Local high school seniors recognized with Latino scholarship funds
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – A scholarship fund is celebrating local Latinx scholars and helping them to kickstart their careers. These high school seniors are excited to attend college in the fall and put in the work, but they say it wouldn't be possible without the Latino Scholarship Fund of Western Mass. 'I feel like this opened the door to many opportunities, especially to my family,' said Jaden Diaz, Holyoke High School senior. Dance workshops in Holyoke during Afro-Caribbean Festival The next generation of Latinx leaders celebrated at the Log Cabin in Holyoke Friday evening. Those in the room had the community behind them, making sure they have the tools they need to succeed. Eight high school seniors are able to take the next step in their education with the help of this scholarship fund. 'For the fall, I will be attending UMass Dartmouth, and I will be pursuing nursing,' Diaz said. Inspired to be a nurse after watching a TV show with his mom, this senior said he looks forward to saving people's lives. The Latino Scholarship Fund of Western Mass helps students across the region. This includes FAFSA Night, an evening that helps parents in both English and Spanish understand what FAFSA is. 'So for us to be able to go into the high schools to make sure they get their FAFSA done, which is part of applying for our scholarship, you have to have that FAFSA done, is something that we strive to continue doing but improve on doing,' said Derek Estrella-Padilla, President of the Latino Scholarship Fund of Western Mass. 'But have more programming along that way.' Recognition and celebration were emphasized at this event before these high school students close one chapter and begin another. 'It's going to be a long journey, but I know I can do it,' Diaz said. The scholarship fund is currently working on creating a mentorship program for high school seniors. For more information on this organization and all they have to offer, visit WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time Business News
8 hours ago
- Time Business News
In Search of Meaningful Communication? A Look at TILS Education's Approach
In a country where English proficiency is often seen as a gateway to opportunity, one educational start-up from a small city in Rajasthan is quietly reshaping how people approach language learning. TILS Education — short for The Institute of Languages & Skills — was founded in 2017 in Bhilwara, a semi-urban region far from India's traditional educational centers. Yet in just a few years, its influence has grown across not just India, but several other countries as well. Unlike conventional spoken English institutes, TILS focuses not only on grammar and fluency but also on nurturing individuals through the integration of universal human values (UHV) — concepts like self-awareness, clarity in communication, and ethical interaction. The aim is to help learners not just speak English, but also think deeply and express meaningfully. A Vision Rooted in Simplicity and Depth The foundation of TILS was laid by Dr. Abhilash Modi, a language researcher and educator, and Mr. Abhishek Kankria, an entrepreneur dedicated to making education more inclusive. Their observation was simple but profound — despite years in English-medium schooling, many Indians still lacked confidence in speaking English. The issue, they realized, was not just about grammar or vocabulary, but about mindset, motivation, and method. Today, TILS serves a wide range of learners — from school and college students to professionals and homemakers, both in India and abroad. With learners from countries like Japan, Hungary, Nepal, Canada, Germany, and the UAE, the institute's reach reflects its globally relevant approach, despite its modest origins. Learning Through Language and Life A defining feature of TILS is its unique blend of language instruction and personal development. Classes don't just include speaking exercises or grammar drills — they also emphasize public speaking, storytelling, reflective tasks, and value-based discussions. This balance helps students use English as a tool for both self-expression and social connection. What further elevates the learning experience at TILS is the quality of its faculty. All trainers are Cambridge English certified, with real-world speaking and performance experience. Many have delivered talks on prestigious platforms such as TEDx and Josh Talks, giving them both depth and relatability in their teaching methods. The Person Behind the Online Success: Diwyanshi Shukla A TEDx speaker and Cambridge-certified trainer, Diwyanshi Shukla leads TILS Education's online division. Beginning her teaching journey at just 18, she has now reached learners across 16+ countries, including the USA, Germany, and Japan. Raised in a Hindi-medium background, her own transformation fuels her empathetic teaching style. With academic credentials from IIM Bangalore and Cambridge, and a spot in the Rajasthan Patrika 40 Under 40, Diwyanshi continues to inspire students with her passion, discipline, and vision for meaningful communication. When Innovation Meets Education Beyond its classroom programs, TILS Education has also made significant contributions to the field of language education through its original research and creative tools: Bhasha – A rap-based song created to make English learning rhythmic and engaging. It was well-received by the Ministry of Skill Development , and is available on platforms like Jio Saavn, Amazon Music, and Wynk. – A rap-based song created to make English learning rhythmic and engaging. It was well-received by the , and is available on platforms like Jio Saavn, Amazon Music, and Wynk. LEXO – A unique, offline spelling-based board game designed to promote vocabulary retention and strategic thinking, appreciated by the India Book of Records and Unique World Records . – A unique, offline spelling-based board game designed to promote vocabulary retention and strategic thinking, appreciated by the and . English Flower – A visual model developed to help learners understand the flow and functionality of the English language with clarity. – A visual model developed to help learners understand the flow and functionality of the English language with clarity. Life, Love & Language – A comic-style English e-book that simplifies English usage for young learners through relatable storytelling and characters. Conceptualized and written by Dr. Abhilash Modi with the TILS team, this book represents a creative leap in making English fun and understandable. – A that simplifies English usage for young learners through relatable storytelling and characters. Conceptualized and written by Dr. Abhilash Modi with the TILS team, this book represents a creative leap in making English fun and understandable. Academic Research – Dr. Modi has also published several internationally recognized papers in the International Journal of English & Studies (IJOES), offering simplified pathways for learning English through observation-based and value-driven methodologies. A Learning Experience That Lasts One of the most sought-after programs at TILS is its 100-Day Spoken English cum Personality Development Course, which provides lifetime access to materials and community. Other options include live group classes, one-on-one mentoring, and a self-paced video course — each backed with practical exercises, communication tasks, and long-term support. Whether offline or online, every program shares a single purpose — to make English learning accessible, meaningful, and transformative. Redefining Education Through Communication In an age where automated apps and superficial hacks dominate learning trends, TILS Education chooses a more thoughtful route — one that reintroduces the human element into education. As Dr. Modi aptly puts it, 'Fluency without understanding is hollow. We're not just building speakers — we're nurturing thoughtful communicators.' TILS Education continues to demonstrate that communication isn't just a skill, but a bridge between clarity and confidence, between learning and living. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
