Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program

Immersion learning at Castle Elementary is an opportunity for students to learn core curriculum in an environment that is immersed within the speaking, reading, writing and listening of Spanish.  Students learn the basics of language through these experiences and are able to use these skills to enhance their overall learning.

• The global community is ever shrinking and the ability to know and use other languages is a key tool for those who want to continue to develop skills of understanding and cross cultural communication.  These skills can be used in academia as well as in commerce and travel in life.

Language immersion education has been shown to enhance all language skills. Dual language learning does not jeopardize basic schooling goals.  We use a 80/ 20 model which has students immersed 80% of their school day in Spanish, but each year, 20% more time is taught in English.  Students who stay within the program are found to be able to achieve as well or above peers.

Dual language immersion is a way of learning that allows students to engage in academic and social-emotional learning while also learning another language.  Students in dual language immersion classrooms work toward the same grade-level expectations and standards as in non-immersion classrooms.

Students learn in the target language 80% of the time in kindergarten and first grade. 

Note: Lunch/recess is not included in instructional minutes. Specialists are included in the % English. The increasing % English is in literacy, math, and science.

Students in Kindergarten will spend 80% of their day learning in Spanish. All core instruction in literacy, math and science will be done in Spanish. The other 20% of the day students will use English. For Kindergarteners this will take place during their specialist time (Science, Music and Phy. Ed). As students progress in grade levels the percentage of time they learn in English during literacy, math and science will increase.

Students will join their grade level peers who are enrolled in English classrooms during lunch, recess, field trips and other grade level events.

There are many benefits of attending dual language immersion and being bilingual or multilingual, including:

1. Academic benefits: Dual language immersion students can do as well or better than non-immersion students in academics, graduation, and participation in higher academic programs as they reach high school.

2. Cognitive benefits: Dual language immersion students develop more neural pathways in the brain that lead to preparedness for more learning and connections.

3. Social and Economic benefits: Dual language immersion students are more prepared to learn other languages as they get older and are more prepared for work and life in a local and global economy.

Research has shown that students who already speak the target language (Hmong, Mandarin, or Spanish) at home become even more proficient in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in the target language AND in English. Students acquire academic language in both the target language and in English.

Younger students are able to adjust and adapt their language abilities. As they learn more of the target language, they also develop more proficiency in English. If families speak another language at home besides English or the target language (Hmong, Mandarin, or Spanish), they should continue to speak the home language. Research has shown that as students are stronger in their first language, they become stronger in their second or third language.

Students with a strong background and proficiency in their first language become stronger when learning a second or third language.  Research has shown that students who speak another language besides English do as well or better than English-speaking peers in English reading assessments beyond elementary.

1. We encourage families to continue using the home language when at home.  If your family speaks English, continue to use English at home.  If your family speaks Hmong, Mandarin, Spanish, or any other language, continue to speak your home language.  
2. Our teachers and staff will support language immersion students with academic and language learning.
3. Any work that students bring home will be for practice only.  Students will have learned the content during school and may be asked to practice at home.  
4. Families can continue to support their children by reading, telling stories, sharing chores, and engaging in other family activities.

In high school, students in grades 10, 11, and 12 can take reading, writing, speaking, and listening tests in the target language to earn a bilingual seal.

Benefits of receiving a Bilingual Seal include:

• Earn high school elective credit 

• Earn college credit *

• Save money by getting college credits waived

• Skill to highlight on your resume

• Provide an edge in a competitive job market

• Open doors to volunteer opportunities

• Notation on your high school transcript

• Confirm your competence in another language

* The number of credits varies depending on the institution. Students have three years to request college credit after high school graduation. 

There are no attendance boundaries for the dual language immersion programs.  Students can live anywhere in the district and enroll in dual language immersion.

Students who don’t live in District 622 may open-enroll to participate in a dual language immersion program as long as space is available.

Parents/guardians do not need to know the immersion language. Families can encourage the students to practice their language and do any assignments sent home.

Yes. The dual language immersion program is free.

The dual language immersion program occurs during the regular school day. 

Older elementary siblings of the language immersion student may enroll in the same school if there is space available. Families must complete the Intra-District Transfer Form to enroll their older student in the same school.

Dual language immersion class sizes will be similar to the other classes in the school. Kindergarten classes may average 25-26 students.

District transportation will be provided for students who live within the ISD 622 district boundaries, even if students do not live within the school’s attendance boundaries. District transportation is unavailable for students living outside of ISD 622 district boundaries.

Any student with any language background or special needs can enroll in dual language immersion.  Students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are entitled to Special Education Services.  The service model will be adjusted to provide service that works within the dual language immersion program.

We integrate as much of the target culture and exposure to the target language as possible into school events and non-immersion classrooms. In addition, dual language immersion students will have opportunities to socialize with non-immersion students during lunch, recess, and other times in the day.

Parents have the option to transfer their student out of the dual language immersion program at any time.

It is important to note that enrollment into a dual language immersion program produces the best outcomes for students on a long-range enrollment. Many students who initially begin in a dual language immersion classroom, especially in Kindergarten, may feel frustrated because of the added expectation of using the target language. As students gain more proficiency in the target language throughout the school year and from year to year, students will become more confident and more comfortable using the target language.

Students who opt to leave the immersion program can be enrolled a their home school.