HPS to Launch Dual Language Immersion Program

Howell Public Schools to Launch Dual Language Immersion Program
Posted on 01/25/2023
Dual Language program image1/25/2023 - Howell Public Schools is expanding its educational offerings for elementary families with the launch of a Spanish dual language immersion program in the fall of 2023. Academia Bilingüe at Three Fires Elementary will be an optional program that families can choose to enroll their child in. In a Spanish dual language immersion program, students complete the same coursework as their peers in a traditional classroom; however, instruction is provided in both Spanish and English. For the 2023-2024 school year, the program will consist of one kindergarten and one first-grade classroom. Howell Public Schools will host a parent information night on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 6 p.m. at Three Fires Elementary and will begin accepting applications from interested families early February.

Under the instructional model that Howell has chosen, students in lower grades will receive the majority of their classroom instruction in Spanish. As students progress through the program, the instruction will shift to include more time learning in English. By fifth grade, students will learn equally in Spanish and English. Specials classes such as art, music, physical education, and technology will be taught in English. By the end of fifth grade, students will be proficient in English and Spanish.

“As we continue to design pathways to ensure our students are future ready, Howell Public Schools is excited to launch a dual language immersion program. Beginning in kindergarten, students will be immersed in an environment of biliteracy and cross-cultural awareness,” said Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.S., Howell Public Schools superintendent. “Imagine a child finishing elementary school and being fluent in another language and more aware of the world around them; that’s future ready.”

While new to Howell and Livingston County, dual language immersion programs have been offered in Michigan for many years with great success. By fifth grade, students enrolled in a dual language program often outperform their grade-level peers on proficiency assessments.

To learn more about Academia Bilingüe at Three Fires Elementary, please visit HowellSchools.com/DualLanguage.