Mammoth Elementary School Earns Prestigious CABE Award for Biliteracy

Submitted by Kathi Kirkeby and Michelle McMillian

Mammoth Elementary School was one of only six schools statewide selected for the prestigious California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) 2025 Seal of Excellence School Award, CABE’s highest recognition for exemplary biliteracy programs.

Mammoth Elementary is dedicated to celebrating linguistic diversity and providing a robust academic experience for a wide range of learners. The program effectively supports newcomers, native and heritage Spanish speakers, English speakers, and emerging trilingual students from various backgrounds, including Russian, Hungarian, Mandarin, and French. Mammoth Elementary launched its dual language immersion program in 2004, and this award recognizes 20 years of dedicated effort in implementing and refining this highly successful program.

The rigorous application process for the CABE Seal of Excellence required schools to submit detailed information on their biliteracy program’s implementation and impact. Finalists, including Mammoth Elementary, underwent on-site visits where CABE representatives interviewed parents, teachers, administrators, and students and observed classrooms. Mammoth Elementary’s selection for the 2025 award reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire school community and validates the success of their dual language immersion program, serving as an inspiration for other schools, particularly in small, rural or remote areas.

The CABE Seal of Excellence Award was formally presented at the annual CABE conference, where Mammoth Elementary School was celebrated for its outstanding contributions to biliteracy education in California. Principal Michelle McMillian accepted the award on behalf of the school and the district, expressing gratitude to CABE, the Mammoth Lakes community, the administration, the School Board of Trustees, and every student, teacher, and staff member at the school. During the awards banquet, she reflected on the significance of the honor, stating: “Showcasing our amazing, beautiful, remote mountain-town school has been the highlight of this year. This award is a reflection of the dedication, passion, and hard work of our teachers, staff, students, and families. At Mammoth Elementary, we are celebrating 20 years of commitment to bilingual education. We believe that every child deserves a learning environment where they feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive. Our district motto, our work starts with the heart – nuestro trabajo empieza desde el corazón – reflects the heart work and the hard work we pour into our students’ success every day.”

Pictured here from L-R Michelle Quirsfeld, Chelsea Glende, Tatum Sandvigen, Aracelli Escobar, Michelle McMillian, Kathi Kirkeby, Zoraya Cruz, Silvia Mendez, Heather Hund, Gloria