• Dual Language Immersion at Sarah Smith Primary Campus
    We are excited to have a thriving Dual Language Immersion program here at Sarah Smith. Our teachers, parents, and students are committed to the DI program and have built a strong community of learners committed to learning a new language and culture.

    The dual language model at Sarah Smith Elementary is a cohort of participants in a 50/50 Two-Way Spanish Model. Beginning in kindergarten, we strive to have 25 native Spanish speaking students and 25 native English speaking students who will be mixed together among two homerooms. Students will then spend half of their school day in an English-only speaking classroom and the other half in a Spanish-only speaking classroom. The cohort of approximately 50 students will move through elementary school together from grade to grade. Students will be reassigned to a new homeroom each school year, but will stay among the 50 DI students.

    We invite you to visit the APS World Language website to learn more about Dual Immersion at Sarah Smith Elementary and in Atlanta Public Schools. Please click here for additional information about Dual Immersion on the APS website. You may also contact Sarah Smith administrators with questions specific to the program at Sarah Smith.

    APS Dual Language Immersion Vision and Mission Statement

    Vision
    APS Dual Language Immersion is a rigorous academic program that develops high linguistic and academic proficiency in two languages while simultaneously fostering positive cross-cultural attitudes.

    Mission
    In a caring culture of global awareness, all APS dual language immersion students will graduate biliterate AND ready for college and career.

    Program Goals
    The purpose of the Dual Language Immersion program in Atlanta Public Schools is to move our students towards biliteracy through engaging instruction with inspiring teachers.

    The goals of the Dual Language Immersion program are:

    • To equip students with the skills that will enable them to function in a language other than their own; 
    • To develop communication skills that allow students to compete effectively in the global community; 
    • To develop listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural competence skills in two languages: 
    • To develop academic proficiency in all content areas;
    • To use technology and other non-print sources to absorb information; and
    • To increase awareness of students’ own culture and appreciate the culture(s) of others.

    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. School principals will notify parents of the lottery results by the week of June 6th.

    2022 - 2023 Dual Language Immersion Program Application Process

    Application Window begins Monday, March 14, 2022. All DLI Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, June 1st. Please see the APS DLI website for more information.

    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 2022 - 2023

    The Student Enrollment and DLI program applications have transitioned to an online process. The applications below are now embedded into the online APS Student Enrollment Form and must be completed electronically with your online enrollment form.

    Click here to access information on the Kindergarten student registration and enrollment process: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/34745

    Early Decision Window: March 14th - 16th (Early Decision Date: March 18th)

    Regular Decision Window: March 14th - June 1st

    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.

    Dual Language Immersion Application for 2022 - 2023 (Grade levels 1st - 5th)

    Click here to access information on the student registration and enrollment process: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/49656

    Sutton Middle School DLI FAQ