Dual Language

Families interested in enrolling their incoming kindergartner in the Spanish/English Dual Language Program can indicate so on the registration form while completing the kindergarten registration process that begins March 1, 2024. This process should be completed by April 15, 2024, to be entered into the Dual Language Lottery. Please note that indicating interest in the Dual Language Program does not guarantee acceptance into the Dual Language program.
The public Dual Language Lottery will be hosted virtually at 6 p.m. on May 1, 2024. Confirmation emails and lottery details will be sent to parents who have indicated interest through the registration process.

The purpose of the Dual Language Program is to implement instruction across all subjects of the curriculum that provides students the opportunity to develop a deep academic proficiency in two languages, which will give them the tools to become highly sought-after bilingual professionals in today's more globalized world. (Thomas and Collier)

Dual Language in District 96

In 2015, when considering recommendations for the future, the Board of Education directed District administrators to continue analyzing data regarding student achievement and the transition to middle school by investigating two-way immersion dual language instruction. Research included review of Dual Language program models in specific school districts selected for their match in demographics, including Barrington 220, Glen Ellyn 41, and North Shore 112. After periodic follow-up from administrators and extensive multiyear preparation, the Board heard the detailed RECOMMENDATION for the District 96 Dual Language program, which began in the 2019–20 school year.

50/50

Approximately 50 percent of the students in the Dual Language program will come from homes in which Spanish is spoken and approximately 50 percent will have had little to no experience with the Spanish language. For participants, 50 percent of the academic day instruction will be delivered in Spanish and 50 percent of the academic day instruction will be delivered in English. All students in the program will receive academic instruction in Spanish and English.

The inaugural Dual Language program began with selected students entering kindergarten in the 2019–2020 school year. Student participants were selected by lottery. 

Kindergartners enrolling for the 2024–25 school year will receive Kindergarten instruction at Willow Grove Early Learning Center.  This class will move to Country Meadows for 1st-5th grade and will transition to Woodlawn Middle School for 6th-8th grade.

Participants Selected By Lottery

Families interested in enrolling their incoming kindergartner in the Spanish/English Dual Language Program can indicate so on the registration form while completing the kindergarten registration process that begins March 1, 2024.  This process should be completed by April 15, 2024, to be entered into the Dual Language Lottery.  Please note that indicating interest in the Dual Language Program does not guarantee acceptance into the Dual Language program.  

The public Dual Language Lottery will be hosted virtually at 6 p.m. on May 1, 2024.  Confirmation emails and lottery details will be sent to parents who have indicated interest through the registration process.

The names of students not selected for immediate entrance into the program due to capacity will be placed on a waiting list based in the order in which their names were drawn in the lottery.  All names received will be drawn to determine the waiting list order.