Academics

Denver Montclair International School is more than a language school. Offering a rigorous, well-rounded curriculum that emphasizes art, English, history, math, music, physical education, science and social studies, the DMIS curriculum is divided into four learning cycles to correspond with student development.

The students begin with full-immersion in the target language – French, Mandarin or Spanish – and the amount of English instruction steadily increases as they progress through the cycles. Our students learn not only how to read, write and speak two languages, but they also gain a broader global perspective and achieve higher levels of academic success.

CYCLE 1 – IMMERSION
The first cycle includes the 3-years-old, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes and forms the base of the bilingual education model. Children acquire bilingual skills through play that set the foundation for future learning processes. Because the best time to acquire a second language is between teh ages of three and six, language acquisition is very natural at this stage. All subjects are studied at age-appropriate levels in the target language, starting as early as 3-years-old in this first cycle. Students are not simply learning French, Mandarin or Spanish, but rather, they are learning ALL traditional subjects IN French, Mandarin or Spanish.

CYCLE 2 – SOLIDIFYING THE KNOWLEDGE BASE
In Grades 1 and 2, the emphasis shifts to the relationship between the oral and written language. English language instruction becomes more formalized and focuses on early literacy skills, while all subjects – including math and science – continue to be studied in the target language of French, Mandarin or Spanish.

CYCLE 3 – EXPANDING THE KNOWLEDGE BASE AND INTRODUCTION OF A THIRD LANGUAGE
In Grades 3, 4 and 5, students expand their study of the target language. Students become bilingual at this stage, and are introduced to a third language which can be studied through Grade 8. Instruction in English accounts for approximately half of the time spent in class, moving beyond basic grammar and vocabulary, and delving into literature, science and math. English instruction of science and math complements the instruction already given up to this point in the target language.

CYCLE 4 – BECOMING RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS
DMIS is the only midle school – public or private – in the Denver region offering the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme with this type of intensive foreign language instruction. It is not taught as a “second” language only a few periods a week, but rather as a “first” language through immersion, accounting for 20% of the school week. During this cycle, students in Grades 6 – 8 build the academic, technological, social, emotional and ethical skills that will allow them to succeed in high school, college and beyond. A strong set of values is consistently weaved throughout the middle school academics, building critical thinkers and responsible global citizens.

Download the entire Curriculum and Assessment Summary here.

For more information about our academic programs and the value of learning through language immersion, please contact Admissions Coordinator Mieke Bushhouse at (303) 340-DMIS (3647) or mieke.bushhouse@dmischool.com.

After-School Workshops DMIS offers after-school enrichment programs for children ages 3 through Grade 5.These workshops are open to everyone.

Summer Camps When summer rolls around, DMIS camps are THE place to be. We offer programs for every interest, including foreign languages, sports, music, arts, and crafts. Camps are open to all children ages 3 through Grade 5.