Application Process

• In the dual language two-way program, students are provided instruction and experiences in both English and Spanish. Both native English and native Spanish speakers participate. The goal is for students to become bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural in both target languages (Spanish and English). 

We offer the Dual Language program on three elementary campuses: Brent Elementary (1st-5th Grade), Hackberry Elementary (K-5th Grade), and Oak Point Elementary(K-5th Grade).

Dual Language Reading may be continued in middle school at Strike or Walker in 6th-8th grades. 

Dual Language is offered for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade in elementary and Dual Language Reading is offered in middle school 6th-8th grades. Students must enter the program in Kindergarten (for non-native Spanish speakers, the first three weeks of First Grade is the latest a student may enter the Dual Language Two-Way Program). 

Elementary: The total number of English proficient students that will be drawn will depend on space and availability in the classroom. Typically, the max number of students in a classroom is 22 (there are exceptions). Students who are language tested and are identified Emergent Bilingual whose language is Spanish, will automatically be offered the Dual Language Program. 

Middle School: Through course selection. Families/students may choose to continue in Dual Language by selecting Dual Language Reading in 6th-8th. Only students who have participated in Dual Language in elementary may continue into middle school. 

Families attend a parent information meeting. Once the application goes live, families will be able to apply for the Dual Language program. Application does not equal enrollment in the Dual Language program. Students who have applied will be entered into a lottery. One of the requirements for entering the lottery is that parents have attended an informational meeting. Once a student is in Dual Language, there is no need to reapply each year. The student automatically continues in Dual Language each year. 

The random selection will occur in April. Parents will be notified by email of their child’s status in the program. Notification will occur regardless of whether a student has been selected for the program or will remain on the waiting list.

Brent Elementary will continue Dual Language in 1st-5th grade and each consecutive year, incoming students for Dual Language will attend Hackberry Elementary.

If the selected student has an older sibling in the program, we will make every effort to assign the student to the same school. However, we are not able to guarantee placement. Campus assignment for Dual Language may also be depend on space availability. 

After the students are selected through the random selection process, the remaining students are placed on a wait list. It is an active waiting list, so if a student declines the program or somehow chooses not to be part of the program after the selection, the next student on the wait list will take the vacancy. Openings in the program can occur throughout the Kindergarten year.  The waitlist will remain open and active throughout the  kindergarten year and will be closed three weeks after the start of 1st grade.  Enrollment numbers are monitored regularly and if the opportunity arises to add more students, they will be contacted by order on the waitlist. The wait list is maintained only through the first three weeks of first grade.
 

LEISD uses current effective methodology in Dual Language programming. Students create metalinguistic connections and learn to bridge their learning in the two target languages. 

Yes, with an approved transfer request. 

No, students are chosen by random selection. Only Emergent Bilingual students who are native Spanish speakers will enter the program directly. Emergent Bilingual students are identified through language testing after initial registration in a Texas school.