English Language Learner

Dual Language Programs

Over the past five years, the ELL department has significantly expanded the district’s dual-language programs.  Several schools offer Spanish dual-language programs; in addition, Jackson Elementary School offers a Hmong bilingual program, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. Professional development is provided to support teachers in these programs.

The Spanish-English dual language programs are offered at:
  • Bruce F. Vento Neighborhood Elementary
  • Cherokee Heights West Side School of Excellence Elementary Magnet/Citywide Option Elementary
  • Homecroft Neighborhood Elementary
  • Riverview West Side School of Excellence Elementary Magnet/Citywide Option Elementary
  • Roosevelt West Side School of Excellence  Magnet/Citywide Option Elementary
  • Paul and Sheila Wellstone Magnet/Citywide Option Elementary
The programs at Riverview and Wellstone, both of which will eventually expand to include grades K-6, are Two-way Dual Immersion programs (TWI).  TWI programs serve both language minority and language majority students in the same classroom and use each group of students’ first language for academic instruction at certain points during the program. The aim is bilingualism and biculturalism for both sets of students. The cognitive, academic, and linguistic benefits of these programs fully appear after 5th or 6th grade.

The programs at Homecroft and Vento, which will also expand to include grades K-6, are Developmental Bilingual programs.  These programs exclusively serve students who come to school proficient in Spanish and have limited or no proficiency in English. Students learn English as they maintain and develop proficiency in Spanish.

The programs at Roosevelt and Cherokee Heights are transitional programs, and as such they will not expand beyond grades K-1.  In transitional programs, Spanish-speaking students initially learn academic content in their first language while developing proficiency in English. ESL instruction is an essential component of transitional programs.  The main purpose of these programs is to prepare students to transition into an all-English program of instruction as soon as possible—not to develop students’ proficiency in Spanish.

The Hmong-English dual language program is offered at:
  • Jackson Preparatory Magnet
Immersion Programs:

In addition, the district offers foreign-language immersion programs in two languages.  The immersion programs are not ELL programs, but are stand-alone schools.  They are included in our support and professional development models.
Spanish
  • Adams Spanish Immersion: K-6
  • Highland Junior High School: 7-8
  • Highland Senior High School: 9-12
French
  • L’Étoile du Nord French Immersion:  K-6
  • Highland Junior High School: 7-8
  • Highland Senior High School: 9-1