This is voluntary program for English speaking students. Their parents choose to put them in the program. If a parent of a Spanish speaking child wants any instruction in Spanish they have to use the Dual Language program. We also have regular classrooms were all instruction is in English.

The students from Spanish speaking homes are making great progress in English. Much more progress than the kids in the Bilingual program (Last year 3rd – 5th it is being phased out as dual language moves up each year.) The kids in Dual Language don’t pretend to not understand what an English speaking teacher says – but that might also be a function of age. K – 2nd graders still want to please their teachers.

Spanish speaking teachers on campus tell me the students from English homes are doing very well in Spanish.

I’ve also noticed a change in the social aspect of school. In the grades with a bilingual class – those children often do not mingle with the other kids on the playground and during other free time. The kids in the dual language program play with all the other kids in their grade. The English speaking students not in Dual Language are learning some Spanish as a natural function of playing with the Dual language kids.

I like the changes I see on our campus from having Dual Language. I hope it continues.