HOUSTON -- A Webster elementary school is taking a unique approach in helping students become bilingual, KPRC Local 2, Your Education Station, reported Wednesday.

In the kindergarten class at McWhirter Elementary, located at 300 Pennsylvania, Spanish is the preferred language. Half of the class is fluent in English while the other half is fluent in Spanish.

"We bring them together and the goal is to make them bilingual, bicultural and bi-literate. It's fantastic for our students, their parents and surrounding community," principal Michael Marquez said.

In 2004, the school started the two-way immersion program, bridging the gap between English and Spanish.

"When we looked at the research, two-way immersion came out very clearly as the one that helps Spanish speakers develop the most English and remain academically on level," said Dr. Laurie Weaver with the University of Houston Clear Lake.

In the kindergarten class, 90 percent of the class is taught in Spanish. It's an active classroom with lots of student participation and singing.

The first group that was taught this approach is now in the third grade.

The children not only learn from the teacher, but also from other students.

"They have people with whom to practice their language and when they are working together in their groups they can use Spanish or English," Marquez said.

The program has grown in popularity. There's not enough space for all of the children who want to take it, so a waiting list has formed.

The program expands one grade each year. Eventually, McWhirter will have all grade levels participating.