Holyoke’s prekindergarten and kindergarten students enrolled in the Dual Language program at Kelly and E.N. White are fully immersed in their classroom lessons, learning primarily in Spanish this fall.
“PreK and kindergarten students follow the 80/20 immersion model,” said Associate Director of Dual Language Education Laura Espinoza-Mufson. “All of their core academic subjects are taught in Spanish in these grade levels, with some exposure to English. This model has shown the best success for students to become fully bilingual in later grades.”
As part of classroom activities, for example, first graders recently wrote informative essays in Spanish about a variety of animals that interest them, while in PreK classrooms students are practicing their language skills in play-based centers around a variety of themes.
The Dual language program is offered this year at E.N. White Elementary for grades PreK-5, at Kelly Elementary for grades PreK-4, at Sullivan Middle for grades 6-8, and at HHS North for grades 9-10. The program helps students reach high levels of academic achievement, bilingualism, and biliteracy in a safe and engaging learning environment that values multiculturalism while preparing students for college and careers.
For families interested in enrolling their children in the Dual Language program next year, HPS will offer school tours in January. The enrollment lottery will open in February 2025.