PreK-12 French Dual Language Immersion Pathway

The French Dual Language Immersion Program was established in 1996. The pathway begins at L’Etoile du Nord French Immersion School as a one-way program that follows a 100:0 immersion language immersion model. English instruction begins in 2nd grade.  At each subsequent grade level, the amount of instruction in English is increased so that by fifth grade, students are taught 60% in the partner language and 40% in English. In 5th grade, students participate in the national French language competition, Le Grand Concurs. Students in 5th grade also complete a language proficiency test to provide feedback on their progress in French.

At Hidden River Middle School, students continue their French Dual Language Immersion pathway. The school provides an International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP), which helps students gain a global perspective. Together, the IB and dual language immersion program challenges students to explore complex issues, take action to solve problems and reflect on what they’ve learned. In middle school, students complete two courses in French:

• French Immersion 6, 7, 8 is a language arts class taught in French. Students hone their skills in French through listening, reading, writing, and speaking.  
• Students complete their social studies courses in French: Minnesota Studies (grade 6), American Studies (grade 7), and Global Studies (grade 8).

In 8th grade, students participate in the national French language competition, Le Grand Concours. Students in 8th grade also complete a language proficiency test to provide feedback on their progress in French.

At Central High School, students complete their French Dual Language Immersion pathway. Students have the opportunity to take the following courses in French:

• In French Immersion 9, 10, 11, 12, students hone their language and literacy skills in French through listening, reading, writing, and speaking.   
• Additional elective classes taught in French include France during World War II, French Cinema, Your Voice in French, and Writing for Content.

Students can earn a French Immersion Certificate of Achievement, which includes extra activities and service-learning projects to accompany their schoolwork. Central also offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme; French immersion students take IB assessments in the upper grades to demonstrate their language proficiency. Students also have the opportunity to complete the DELF assessment, which meets the language requirement for admission to universities in France and increasingly to French-speaking universities in Canada.  Both the IB and DELF assessments qualify students for the Minnesota Bilingual Seal.

The German Dual Language Immersion Program was established in 2016 for students in grades 9-12. At Central High School, students complete their German Dual Language Immersion pathway. Students have the opportunity to complete the following courses in German:

• In German Immersion 9, 10, 11, 12, students hone their language and literacy skills in German through listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 
• Additional elective classes taught in German include Your Voice in German, and Writing for Content.

Central also offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme; German immersion students take IB assessments in the upper grades to demonstrate their language proficiency. Students also have the opportunity to complete the DSD2 assessment, which meets the language requirement for admission to universities in Germany. Both the IB and DSD2 assessments qualify students for the Minnesota Bilingual Seal.

PreK-12 Hmong Dual Language Immersion Pathway

The Hmong Dual Language Immersion Program, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, was established in 2002. The pathway begins at Phalen Lake Hmong Studies Magnet as a two-way program that follows a 80:20 language immersion model. Both Hmong and English are used for academic instruction beginning in preK. By 3rd grade, students are taught 50% in Hmong and 50% in English. In 5th grade, students complete a language proficiency test to provide feedback on their progress in Hmong. 

At Hmong Language and Culture School, students continue their Hmong Dual Language Immersion pathway. Students complete one course in Hmong:

• Hmong Immersion 6, 7, 8 is a language arts class taught in Hmong. Students hone their skills in Hmong through listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 

In 8th grade, students complete a language proficiency test to provide feedback on their progress in Hmong.

Students complete their Hmong Dual Language Immersion pathway either at Harding Senior High School (serves areas A, B, Ce) or Washington Technology Magnet School (serves areas Cw, D, E, F1, F2). Students have the opportunity to complete the following courses in Hmong:

• In Hmong 3 and Hmong 4, students hone their language skills in Hmong through listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 

Harding also offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Hmong immersion students can complete a language proficiency assessment in grades 10-12 to demonstrate their language proficiency and qualify for the Minnesota Bilingual Seal.

PreK-12 Chinese Dual Language Immersion Pathway

The Chinese Dual Language Immersion Program was established in 2011. The pathway begins at Jie Ming Mandarin Chinese Immersion Academy as a one-way program that follows a 100:0 immersion language immersion model. Beginning in 2nd grade, students receive 50 minutes of English language arts instruction daily. In 4th and 5th grade, students receive 90 minutes of English language arts instruction. The curriculum in the Mandarin Immersion Program includes a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) focus. Students in the program will learn to view practical problems with the mind and eyes of a scientist, a mathematician and an engineer. They will undertake engineering design challenges, use critical thinking skills to solve problems, and conduct experiments – all with Mandarin as their means of communication. In 5th grade, students complete a language proficiency test to provide feedback on their progress in Mandarin Chinese.

At Highland Park Middle School, students continue their Mandarin Chinese Dual Language Immersion pathway. The school provides an International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP), which helps students gain a global perspective. Together, the IB and dual language immersion program challenges students to explore complex issues, take action to solve problems and reflect on what they’ve learned. At Highland Park Middle School, students complete two courses in Mandarin Chinese:

• Chinese Immersion 6, 7, 8 is a language arts class taught in Mandarin Chinese. Students hone their skills in Mandarin Chinese through listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 
• Students complete their science courses in Mandarin Chinese: Earth Science (grade 6), Life Science (grade 7), and Physical Science (grade 8).

Students in 8th grade also complete a language proficiency test to provide feedback on their progress in Mandarin Chinese.

At Highland Park Senior High School, students complete their Mandarin Chinese Dual Language Immersion pathway. Students have the opportunity to complete the following courses in Mandarin Chinese:

• In Chinese Immersion 9, 10, 11, 12, students hone their language and literacy skills in Mandarin Chinese through listening, reading, writing, and speaking. In Chinese Immersion 11 and 12, students can take advantage of the “College in the Schools” (CIS) program and earn up to ten college credits through the University of Minnesota. 

Highland Park also offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme; Chinese immersion students take IB assessments in the upper grades to demonstrate their language proficiency. The IB assessments also qualify students for the Minnesota Bilingual Seal.

PreK-12 Spanish Dual Language Immersion Pathway

The Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program began in 1986 with Adams Spanish Immersion, followed by dual language immersion programs at Riverview West Side School of Excellence and Wellstone Elementary. Families can choose to begin their pathway at one of three elementary schools:

Adams Spanish Immersion School is a one-way program that follows a 100:0 language immersion model. English instruction begins in 2nd grade. At each subsequent grade level, the amount of instruction in English is increased by 10% so that by fifth grade, students are taught 60% in the partner language and 40% in English. In 5th grade, students complete a language proficiency test to provide feedback on their progress in Spanish.

Riverview West Side School of Excellence and Wellstone Elementary both offer a two-way program that follows an 80:20 language immersion model. Both Spanish and English are used for academic instruction beginning in preK. By 3rd grade, students are taught 50% in Spanish and 50% in English. In 5th grade, students complete a language proficiency test to provide feedback on their progress in Spanish. 

At Highland Park Middle School, students from all three elementary schools continue their Spanish Dual Language Immersion pathway. The school provides an International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP), which helps students gain a global perspective. Together, the IB and dual language immersion program challenges students to explore complex issues, take action to solve problems and reflect on what they’ve learned. Highland Park Middle School boasts the most robust middle school language immersion offerings that students can complete in Spanish:

• Spanish Immersion 6, 7, 8 is a language arts class taught in Spanish. Students hone their skills in Spanish through listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 
• Students can complete their social studies courses in Spanish: Minnesota Studies (grade 6), American Studies (grade 7), and Global Studies (grade 8).
• Students can complete their math courses in Spanish in grades 6, 7, 8.
• Students can complete their science courses in Spanish: Earth Science (grade 6), Life Science (grade 7), and Physical Science (grade 8).

In 8th grade, students complete a language proficiency test to provide feedback on their progress in Spanish.

At Highland Park Senior High School, students complete their Spanish Dual Language Immersion pathway. Students have the opportunity to complete the following courses in Spanish:

• In Spanish Immersion 9, 10, 11, 12, students hone their language and literacy skills in Spanish through listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 
• Additional courses taught in Spanish include World History 9 (Honors) and Human Geography 10 (Honors).

Students can earn a Spanish Immersion Certificate of Achievement, which includes extra activities and service-learning projects to accompany their schoolwork. Highland Park also offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme; Spanish immersion students take IB assessments in the upper grades to demonstrate their language proficiency. The IB assessments also qualify students for the Minnesota Bilingual Seal.

Intermediate Low proficiency in reading, listening, speaking, and writing in a language other than English. To earn a Seal, students must demonstrate proficiency in English by having met their English Language Arts requirements for high school graduation. Students must also demonstrate ACTFL Intermediate High proficiency (Gold Seal) or ACTFL Advanced Low proficiency (Platinum Seal) in reading, listening, speaking and writing in a language other than English.

Students demonstrate proficiency in languages other than English on a qualifying assessment. Qualifying assessments include AP, IB, DELF, and DSD2 assessments. There are qualifying assessments available in 28 languages:

Students can complete a language proficiency assessment at their home school during the school day. Testing opportunities include:

• Students can complete AP, IB, DELF, or DSD2 assessments as scheduled. 
• Students can register for a Bilingual Seal assessment opportunity.

Please view the schedule below for upcoming testing opportunities at your high school.

Register for the Bilingual Seals Assessment here: tinyurl.com/sppsseals