FAQ

In today's world, where globalization is a common topic in every industry, dual language immersion education is emerging as the best way to prepare students who are linguistically and culturally adept, equipping them to thrive in a complex global economy.

• All incoming Kindergarten students are eligible to participate in the DLI Program. Interested families should complete the DLI application and submit it along with their Kindergarten registration supplemental paperwork to the school’s office. 

• All applicants are entered into a lottery. The decision of the lottery is sent to families each year by August 1st. Applicants who are not selected to be in the program via the lottery process will be placed on the waitlist. 

Incoming Kindergarten students with siblings currently in the Dual Language Spanish Immersion Program will have priority.

The program is designed to support students regardless of their native language, whether English, Spanish, or any other language. Instruction is given in English and Spanish and supports students as they develop both.

• Participation in a dual language immersion program is considered a comprehensive educational experience. Beginning in Kindergarten, paired English and Spanish teachers collaborate to support student mastery of both the core content standards and target language skills in a full-day program. It is our expectation that students who participate in the Spanish immersion experience participate fully in the school academic day.

• Instruction will be 50% in Spanish and 50% in English beginning in Kindergarten through 5th Grades.
  • Including Mathematics, Science, and Spanish Language Arts in Spanish
• Instruction will be 35% in Spanish and 65% in English beginning in 6th through 8th Grades.
  • Including Social Studies and Spanish Language Arts in Spanish

Check out the linked articles below which give practical tips for supporting your student’s language learning journey.

• Supporting Your Language Immersion Student At Home
• 5 Ways to Support Your Child’s Bilingualism At Home

Yes! While young scholars may be speaking fluently in two languages, they have not yet developed the reading and writing skills they need to be academically successful in both languages. The goal of our Dual Language Spanish Immersion program is to support Spanish and English development through 12th Grade so they will be highly proficient in both languages and can use them in college, careers, and beyond.

Yes, the same state standards will be taught and the same curriculums will be used. Teachers will use many strategies to help the students understand vocabulary and concepts, such as Total Physical Response (putting meaningful gestures to words), pictures, artifacts, and hands-on experiences.

Withdrawing from the MSD DLI program should be done with great care and consideration. Conditions upon entering the program ask that all participants remain in the program for the duration. 

Research indicates an immersion program is most effective when students remain in the program for a sustained period of time. All students are expected to continue with the program through high school. 

If you wish to withdraw from the program, please contact your student’s principal who will initiate the completion of the MSD DLI Student Progress Review Form . As outlined on the form, the process requires the parent/guardian to meet with at least one of their student’s DLI teachers, conduct an in-person observation of their student in the DLI classroom, and meet with the school principal. The final step in the process is to attend a student progress review meeting with a district office representative where a final determination will be made and the form signed.

Students in the Spanish Immersion Program will be assessed on the appropriate academic grade-level standards. They will also be assessed on oral language and communication standards for Spanish language development. An additional section on the growth report will include knowledge about their child’s current Spanish language development.

Review our Measuring Student Progress page for details.