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Mandarin Immersion Program
FBISD is launching the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) for Kindergarten in the 2026-2027 school year, increasing opportunities for students to become bilingual and biliterate while offering families more choices for high-quality language programs.
The Mandarin Immersion Program gives young learners the chance to learn Mandarin in a fun and engaging way while building strong academic skills. Students are taught core subjects in both English and Mandarin, helping them develop language skills naturally through everyday classroom activities. This program opens doors to new experiences and prepares children for a world where knowing more than one language is a valuable advantage.
Elementary - Incoming Kinder 2026-2027
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Application window is open
Application Window Opens:
February 1, 2026 at 8 a.m.
Application Window Closes:
February 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
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Educational Research
Want to know why our programs work? Browse research studies that explain the proven practices and measurable outcomes behind our language programs of choice, all grounded in real‑world evidence.
Mandarin Immersion Program
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Program Information
Question:
Can students of any grade level participate in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP)?
Answer:
No. The Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) launches in the 2026-2027 school year with an inaugural cohort of incoming Kindergarten students.
Question:
I have a current Kindergarten and fourth grade student. Can they participate in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) in the 2026-2027 school year?
Answer:
Unfortunately, no. The Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) launches in the 2026-2027 school year with incoming Kindergarten students.
Question:
What is the location of the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP)?
Answer:
At this time, the location of the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) has not yet been finalized. As soon as a decision has been made, the information will be shared with the community.
Question:
Is transportation provided for students participating in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP)?
Answer:
No, transportation is not provided for students participating in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP). Families will need to provide transportation to their child(ren) participating in the program.
Question:
If a student completes the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) from grades Kindergarten through 5th grade, will he/she automatically receive two years of language other than English (LOTE) credit for Mandarin?
Answer:
No. If a student completes the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) from grades Kindergarten through 5th grade, he/she will most likely acquire language proficiency in Mandarin sufficient to earn Mandarin I and Mandarin II credit. However, the student will need to take the FBISD credit by exam for Mandarin and score accordingly in order to be awarded credit for Mandarin I and Mandarin II.
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Student Elegibility
Question:
What are the eligibility requirements for a student to participate in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) in the 2026-2027 school year?
Answer:
Students must:
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Reside within the FBISD boundaries AND
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Be an incoming Kindergarten student for the 2026-2027 school year AND
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Have a completed Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) application submitted during the application window.
Question:
Are the children of FBISD staff eligible to participate in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) if they do not reside within the FBISD boundaries?
Answer:
The FBISD staff transfer guidelines outline the process and steps staff need to take if they would like for their children to attend FBISD schools. If these FBISD staff transfer guidelines are adhered to, then yes, children of FBISD staff are eligible to participate in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) even if they do not reside within the FBISD boundaries. These students would need to:
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Be an incoming Kindergarten student for the 2026-2027 school year AND
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Have a completed Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) application submitted during the application window.
Question:
Does my child have to be zoned to the campus where the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) is located in order to participate in the program?
Answer:
No. The Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) is a program of choice; a student does not need to be zoned to the campus where the program is located in order to participate in the program.
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Application Process
Question:
What is the application process for participation in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP)?
Answer:
The parent/guardian needs to complete the online application and submit it within the application window. The application window opens on February 1st and closes on February 28th. A completed application means that:
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All required fields on the online application have been completed AND
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All required documents have been submitted. There are four required documents for the application:
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Government-issued photo identification
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Copy of current home lease
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Copy of current utility bill AND
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Completed/signed/dated home language survey (HLS).
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Question:
If I submit an application for my child to participate in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP), do I still need to complete the FBISD enrollment process for Kindergarten?
Answer:
Yes. Parents need to complete the FBISD enrollment process for Kindergarten when the 2026-2027 enrollment window opens if they want their child to attend Kindergarten in FBISD. Submitting an application for participation in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) is not the same as the FBISD enrollment process.
Question:
Is a Mandarin language proficiency test required in order for my child to participate in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP)?
Answer:
No. The only assessment our Department will administer is the state-mandated English proficiency test that all Texas public and charter schools are required to use to determine if a student qualifies as an emergent bilingual (EB) student, if applicable.
Question:
Can I apply to both elementary language programs of choice (the Two-Way Dual Language Spanish-English program AND the Mandarin Immersion Program)?
Answer:
Yes, parents can apply to both elementary language programs of choice (the Two-Way Dual Language Spanish-English program AND the Mandarin Immersion Program). There will be an option on the online application that allows parents to select to apply to one program only or to both programs.
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Student Selection
Question:
How are students selected to participate in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP)?
Answer:
The Department will utilize a lottery system to select from complete student applications submitted during the application window (February 1st through February 28th).
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Student Commitment
Question:
What is the commitment for students and families participating in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP)?
Answer:
Families commit to their child(ren) participating in the program for 6 years (Kindergarten through 5th grade).
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Language Allocation
Question:
In the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP), how much of the Kindergarten instructional day is taught in Mandarin? How much is taught in English?
Answer:
In Kindergarten, 70% of the instructional day is taught in English and 30% of the instructional day is taught in Mandarin.
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Curriculum and Resources
Question:
Are students in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) taught the state standards, or Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), for their respective grade level?
Answer:
Yes. Students in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) are taught the state standards, or Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), for their respective grade level.
Question:
What writing system will be taught to students in the Mandarin Immersion Program?
Answer:
The Department is currently finalizing decisions related to the curriculum for the Mandarin Immersion Program, but it is likely that the primary writing system students will learn is simplified Chinese. Pinyin, the system for transcribing Mandarin Chinese sounds using the Latin alphabet, is likely to be taught as well as it serves as a foundation for teaching the sounds and tones of the Mandarin language. Traditional Chinese may be referenced/taught in order to provide cultural and historical context to students.
Question:
Will resources be made available for parents to support their child’s learning in Mandarin in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP)?
Answer:
Yes, the Department will share resources that parents can access to support their child’s learning in Mandarin in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP).
