Higley Unified School District hosted its annual Chinese New Year Celebration at Coronado Elementary School, bringing together students, families and community members for a night filled of cultural appreciation.  

The event featured a variety of activities, including performances, interactive booths, games and hands-on crafts.  

A standout moment of the evening was a showcase by students in the Mandarin dual language immersion program from Cooley Early Childhood Development Center, Coronado Elementary School, Cooley Middle School and Williams Field High School.  

The students demonstrated their growing language skills and deepening cultural knowledge through traditional dances, musical performances and cultural storytelling.  

HUSD’s Elementary Education Executive Director Jeff Armstrong praised the students’ progress. 

"The growth of our Mandarin dual language immersion students is truly remarkable,” he said in a release. “Their language skills and cultural understanding continue to shine through in every aspect of their performances."  

Students can begin their journey in the program as early as preschool, continue through Coronado Elementary for kindergarten through sixth grade, transition to Cooley Middle School for seventh and eighth grade, and finally attend Williams Field High School, where they can take a proficiency test to determine course placement for ninth through 12th grade.  

Those interested in the district’s Mandarin program can click here.