Frequently Asked Questions

In the dual language 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. 

We offer the Dual Language program on three campuses: Brent Elementary, Hackberry Elementary, and Oak Point Elementary.

Dual Language is offered for students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade. Students must enter the program in Kindergarten.

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. 

Families attend a face to face meeting or view the virtual presentation. Once the application goes live, families will be able to apply for the Dual Language program during the window of time the application is live. 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 or watched the virtual presentation.

The random selection will occur in May. 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.

Typically speaking, students who have a current attendance zone for Oak Point or Chavez will attend Oak Point Elementary. Students who have a current attendance zone for Hackberry or Prestwick will attend Hackberry Elementary, and those with a current attendance zone for Brent or Lakeview will attend Brent 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 dependent on space availability. 

After the students are selected through the random selection process, the remaining students are placed on a waiting 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 waiting 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. No waiting list is maintained after that time.
 

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 limited English proficient students who are native Spanish speakers will enter the program directly. The limited English proficient status is designated through an evaluation.