Dual Language Immersion

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 DLI program spans all grades, Kindergarten through 5th grade. The APS Dual Language Immersion Program is a two-teacher, 50/50 model in which students spend half the day learning in English and the other half in Spanish. As the DLI program expands, it will continue through the 12th grade in the North Atlanta and the Jackson Clusters.   

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, metalinguistic 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 develop linguistic competence in both languages simultaneously (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). Studying in two languages allows students to transfer knowledge and skills acquired in one language to the other.  Students feel comfortable and successful in one language while gradually building proficiency in the second. 

Continuing to learn and develop in two languages enhances children’s educational and cognitive development.  Learning in two languages gives students access to two bodies of literature and multimedia. It opens them to diverse traditions, ideas, and ways of thinking, fostering open-mindedness, flexibility, and the ability to think differently. 

Program Participation

Access Program Participation to learn how to participate in the DLI program and to view registration information.

Program Articulation

Access Program Articulation to learn which schools offer the program at each grade level and their feeder patterns.