Families Warn LBUSD School Move Could Hurt Bilingual Students: Report

LONG BEACH, CA — Parents and students are urging Long Beach Unified School District officials to reconsider plans to relocate one of the district's English-Spanish dual immersion middle school programs.

The Long Beach Post reports the district plans to consolidate its Westside and East Long Beach dual immersion programs at the former Hoover Middle School campus beginning with the 2027-28 school year. District officials have said the change is intended to accommodate growing demand for bilingual education.

According to the report, several families told the school board the move could create transportation challenges for some Westside students and make it more difficult for them to remain in the program.

Supporters also pointed to the success of the dual immersion program at Stephens Middle School, saying it has become an important resource for students and families since launching last school year.

District spokesperson Eric Mitchell told the Post the district remains committed to listening to families while keeping students at the center of its decisions. Superintendent David Zaid has also said future meetings will give parents and community members an opportunity to ask questions about the transition.