Lottery Information
Cave Language Academy, our Spanish-English dual immersion program, serves students in grades TK–8. Students have the opportunity to excel academically and enter the global market as bilingual and biliterate individuals. While the curriculum aligns with other district schools, Cave follows a dual immersion model, with much of the instruction delivered in Spanish.
Lottery Contacts
Danielle Brever
TK-8 Math, Science, Health and PE Coordinator
Elementary Education Services
Phone: 707-536-8921 x50218
Email: dbrever@vcusd.org
How to Apply
The application window to attend a lottery school for the 2026-27 school year is open from January 21, 2026 through May 1, 2026. To learn about our lottery schools or the application process, please review the information and frequently asked questions below. First, complete student registration in AERIES, then apply at vcusd.schoolmint.com. Results will be posted in SchoolMint by mid-May.
Dual Immersion Instruction
Dual immersion allows students to keep their native language while acquiring a second or even third language. The program consists of students who only speak Spanish, who only speak English, and those who are bilingual. The instructional model follows a 90/10 model where students start with 90% of their instructional time in Spanish in grades TK, K, and 1. Each year 10% is added to the English instructional time until they get to 5th grade where it stays at a ratio of 50/50 for Spanish/English instruction through 8th grade.
New Students and Transfers
At this time, students may enter Cave Language Academy in grades TK, K, or 1st grade only. Special transfers may be granted if older students are coming from another dual immersion school out of the district where they were learning in both Spanish and English. Please contact Danielle Brever by email with any questions dbrever@vcusd.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When can I apply for a lottery school?
- How does the lottery process work?
- Can we apply for more than one lottery school?
- What if we don’t get in?
- What if I move into the district after the lottery happens?
- What if a lottery school ends up not being a great fit for us?
- If I want to enroll a sibling, do I still have to do the lottery?
- What if I didn’t do the lottery but then changed my mind after it’s over and would like to try for a placement?
- When is the lottery and does it matter when I apply?
- I have other questions that aren’t answered here about the lottery or the schools.
