• Dual Language Immersion
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      Building better brains with two languages.
     
     
     

    2021 - 2022 Prospective DLI Parents

    Information regarding the DLI program applcation process for the 2021 - 2022 will be posted here once finalized. 

     

     

    2021 - 2022 Kindergarten DLI Application Dates

    Application Window begins during Kindergarten Round Up: TBD

    All DLI Applications must be submitted by TBD

     

     

    The schools listed below provide a Spanish Dual Language Immersion program for students zoned to their schools and for the grade levels listed. Students begin in Kindergarten and continue each year. The application does not guarantee your child a spot. Should applications exceed the number of available slots, the school will determine placement via a lottery process conducted at the local school during the first week of June. Please contact your child's school for more information. School principals will notify parents of lottery results by June (date TBD).

     

    2021 - 2022 Dual Language Immersion Program Application Process
    DLI Program Admission is outlined in APS Board Policy JBC-R (4). Registering adults should complete the DLI application below and return the Dual Language Immersion application with the completed APS Student Enrollment form to their child's school prior to the deadline.

    Should interest in the DLI program exceed the number of available slots, parents will be notified and an internal lottery process conducted. After the first week of school, admission to fill any remaining seats will be allocated based on the waitlist results of the lottery. Priority admission is given to students zoned for the school and in the following order:

    1. Native speakers of the target language.
    2. Current DLI program students from another DLI program school with the same target language (A DLI program school is one in which 50% or more of daily instruction is provided in the target language by the primary classroom teacher.)
    3. Siblings of students already in the APS DLI program. Twins will be treated as one applicant in a lottery process.
    The APS DLI program only serves students who reside within the school's attendance zone unless the school is a designated Choice School.
     
     
    Kindergarten Dual Language Immersion Application for 2021 - 2022
     
    NOTE: Due to COVID 19, Student Enrollment and DLI program application have transtioned to an online process. The applications below are now embedded into the online APS Student Enrollment Form. Click here to access information on the student registration and enrollment process: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/49656
     
    Should you like to access a paper version of the DLI application, click below:
     
    English Version:
    Spanish Version:
     
    NOTE: Garden Hills Elementary will have a structured application process to better meet the needs of its community.
    Early Decision Window: TBD
    Regular Decision Window: TBD
    Native English speakers may only begin the DLI program in Kindergarten or 1st grade unless the student has prior participation in a Spanish Dual Language Immersion program or has sufficient proficiency in Spanish to meet the proficiency targets for that grade level. Native Spanish speakers who are new to the country may begin the DLI program at any grade level. Native/Heritage Spanish speakers who begin in grades 2nd or higher and who have been schooled only in English, will need to complete a Spanish language assessment to ensure sufficient proficiency to meet the proficiency targets for that grade level.
     
    If your child is not currently at one of the schools listed below and you would like your child to be considered for entry into the DLI program in 1st - 5th grade for 2021 - 2022, please download the application below. Completed applications should be submitted directly to the school.
     
    Dual Language Immersion Application for 2021 - 2022 (Grade levels other than Kindergarten)
     
    NOTE: Due to changes in the Student Enrollement process due to COVID 10, the DLI program application process has transtioned to an online process. The applications below are now embedded into the online APS Student Enrollment Form. Click here to access information on the student registration and enrollment process: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/49656
     
    Should you like to access a paper version of the DLI application, click below:
     
    English Version:
    Spanish Version: 

     

    Dual Language Immersion Program Schools for 2021 - 2022

     

    Maynard Jackson Cluster:
    Benteen will have slots available through the School Choice process; therefore, parents who live outside of the Benteen attendance can submit an application for the Dual Language Immersion Program, if they are selected for Benteen via the School Choice process! (School Choice Application Window is March ______)

     

    Benteen Elementary (Pre-K -3rd)

    200 Casanova Street

    Atlanta, GA 30315

    404-802-7300

     

     
     
     

     

     

     
    North Atlanta Cluster:    
     

     

    Bolton Academy (K - 5th)

    2268 Adams Drive

    Atlanta, Georgia 30318

    404-802-8350

     
    E Rivers ES (K - 5th)

    8 Peachtree Battle Ave

    Atlanta, Georgia 30305

    404-802-7050
     

    Garden Hills ES (Pre-K - 5th)  

    285 Sheridan Dr NE

    Atlanta, Georgia 30305

    404-802-7800
     

    2741 Howell Mill Road

    Atlanta, Georgia 30327

    404-802-7250

     

    		  
     

     Sarah Smith ES (K - 5th)

     370 Old Ivy Road

     Atlanta, Georgia 30342

     404-802-3850

     

    Sutton Middle School (6th)

    4360 Powers Ferry Road NW

    Atlanta, Georgia 30327

    404-802-5650

     

    The Dual Language Immersion Program initially began in APS during the 2013‐2014 school year and has grown each year. DLI elementary schools add a grade level each year until the school DLI program spans all grade levels, Kindergarten through 5th grade. The APS Dual Language Immersion Program is a two teacher, 50/50 model in which students spend half of the day learning in English and the other half of the day in Spanish. As the DLI program expands, it will continue through the 12th grade in the North Atlanta Cluster (Sutton Middle School, North Atlanta High School) and the Jackson Cluster (ML King Middle School, Maynard Jackson High School).

     

     

    Why Dual Language Immersion?

    Research has proven that world language study boosts the brain. Results indicate that bilingualism is reliably associated with several cognitive outcomes, including increased attentional control, working memory, meta‐linguistic awareness, and abstract and symbolic representation skills. (Adesope, Lavin, Thompson, Ungerleider, 2010).

    Dual Language Immersion programs are the most effective types of learning for nurturing bilingual/biliterate students.  The APS Dual Language Immersion program helps students to develop linguistic competence in both languages at the same time (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). Studying in two languages allows students to transfer knowledge and skills acquired in one language to the other.  They are able to feel comfortable and successful in one language while gradually building the second language.

    By continuing to learn and develop using two languages, children’s educational and cognitive developments are enhanced.  Learning in two languages provides students with access to two groups of literature, an opening to diverse traditions, ideas, and ways of thinking which can lead to open mindedness, flexibility, and an ability to think in a different way.

     
    Click here to access the handout "What Parents Need to Know about DLI in APS."
     
    For more information about the APS Dual Language Immersion program, visit the APS DLI Support site at http://tinyurl.com/apsdli

     

     
    APS is committed to 

    o   Ensuring Highly Qualified Certified teachers. Spanish partner teachers are native Spanish speakers with high levels of language. English partner teachers are also highly qualified and certified. In schools with two-way programs the English partner teacher also holds the ESOL Endorsement or ESOL certification.

    o   Ensuring high quality instructional materials in Spanish and English for these classrooms. With a focus on the use of authentic Spanish language and not just translated text.

    o   Ensuring that all students receive a curriculum in English and in Spanish that is based upon the Georgia Standards of Excellence, as decided by the State of Georgia.

     

    Question:
    Do I have to reside in the zone for one of the schools listed above for my child to attend this program?
     
    Answer:
    Yes.  However, if the school has been designated as a choice school, there may be some limited spaces for students who do not reside in the school attendance zone. Parents would need to complete the application for school of choice to be selected for the school and then complete the Dual Language Immersion application. 
     
    Question:
    How long is the commitment to the program?
     
    Answer:
    Parents/guardians are asked to commit to the program at the elementary school until their child completes 5th grade. APS plans to provide Dual Language Immersion Program at the feeder middle and high schools for the schools listed above. Upon completion of the Dual Language Immersion program in 12th grade, students may be eligible for the Georgia Seal of Biliteracy.
     
    For more information about Dual Language Immersion, contact
     
    Dr. Margaret McKenzie
    Director, Office of ESOL & World Languages
     
    Maria Dunbar
    Teacher Support, Office of ESOL & World Languages
     

    world  

     
     
    Multilingualism Matters!