K-5 Dual Language Transition

In the 2026-2027 school year, all incoming Dual Language kindergarten students will attend Oak Terrace Elementary School.

In the 2027-2028 school year, the full K-5 Dual Language Program will be housed at Oak Terrace. Red Oak Elementary School will close after the 2026-2027 school year, and the Early Childhood program will return to Green Bay School.

The Dual Language Task Force has completed its report, and the district’s work now shifts to implementation. This includes transition activities between Red Oak and Oak Terrace, continued family communication, Oak Terrace facility planning and the independent program evaluation being conducted by Paridad Consulting.

Yes. Oak Terrace was designed for 600 students and has 85,000 square feet of learning space. The district expects the building to remain under capacity when the full K-5 Dual Language Program is housed there beginning in 2027-2028.

Oak Terrace also has several features that support the transition, including larger classrooms, small group learning spaces, ADA accessibility and mechanical systems that are in good condition. During Phase 1 of the Long-Range Facilities Plan, the district invested more than $6 million at Oak Terrace for heating and cooling systems, roofs, site work and plumbing.

As part of the planning process, Wight & Co. completed a gap analysis comparing Oak Terrace to the district’s recently renovated K-5 schools. That work helped identify recommended updates to better align Oak Terrace with other modernized elementary buildings in District 112.

The recommended Oak Terrace project includes interior renovations and site improvements to support the full K-5 Dual Language Program beginning in 2027-2028.

The proposed work includes classroom updates such as new storage, flooring, LED lighting, acoustics, window shades and flexible furniture. It also includes improvements to specialized spaces such as art, music, band, orchestra and small group instruction rooms; updates to the Library Media Center; staff and security improvements; a wellness/respite room; a new food service servery; a universally designed playground; and site improvements to support pedestrian safety.

Some areas are not included in the current recommended scope. Bathroom remodels, corridor flooring and corridor lighting are deferred. The multipurpose room and gym will remain largely intact, except for the servery addition and a new PE office. Outdoor learning spaces previously considered for the front of the school are also deferred.

The playground structure is planned for replacement in summer 2026.

Final design work, bidding and Board approval for the broader Oak Terrace project are expected in fall 2026. Major interior renovations and remaining site work are planned for summer 2027. Some work is expected to continue into the 2027-2028 school year, with final completion of the servery and remaining site work expected after the start of the school year.

The broader recommended renovation and site-improvement plan has an estimated total cost of $11.95 million and is planned to be funded through Phase 3 cash reserves.

Traffic flow and safety were major areas of focus during the Task Force process. Director of Safety and Security Solvei Jurmu completed a traffic management report after concerns were raised by the Facilities and Operations Subcommittee.

The report found that Prairie Avenue currently shows stable, low-risk traffic behavior. The review included traffic accident and violation data from January 1, 2024, through November 20, 2025, and did not identify congestion-related safety issues that would prevent Oak Terrace from accommodating the transition.

The report also notes that Early Childhood will move out of Oak Terrace beginning in 2027-2028. That change will eliminate midday Early Childhood arrival and dismissal at Oak Terrace and reduce the number of daily arrival and dismissal periods. The district will continue to review arrival and dismissal procedures with school staff and the Highwood Police Department as implementation moves forward.

The district is planning a new universally designed playground at Oak Terrace. The playground design was shaped through staff presentations, family engagement events, Facilities and Operations Subcommittee meetings, parent presentations and full-day student presentations at each grade level at both Red Oak and Oak Terrace.

The final playground design was recommended to the Board on April 21, 2026, after multiple design revisions based on student and community feedback.

The district is also reviewing improvements to the blacktop play area on the east side of the school. The concept includes relocating the gaga pit, redesigning the basketball area, adding space for activities such as kickball and four-square, adding swings and incorporating a shade structure. Because the exterior play space project is extensive, the work is expected to be phased.

The Family Engagement Subcommittee recommended continued opportunities for Red Oak and Oak Terrace students and families to connect before the full transition in 2027-2028.

During the 2025-2026 school year, the two school communities came together through several activities, including a mariachi band event, Family Skate Night, a joint PTO meeting, a Chicago Wolves outing and a Dual Language Family Fun Fair.

During the 2026-2027 school year, the district will continue working with school leaders, PTOs and BPAC to support transition activities, family communication and opportunities for connection before the full K-5 Dual Language Program is housed at Oak Terrace.

The Task Force report recommends carrying forward traditions and activities that families value from both Red Oak and Oak Terrace.

The Red Oak rocket mascot will be retired when the school closes. Oak Terrace will keep the monarch butterfly mascot, which holds cultural meaning connected to migration, hope, strength and resilience.

The district will also bring meaningful Red Oak elements into the Oak Terrace campus. The “We All Live Here” mural from Red Oak will move to Oak Terrace and be installed on an exterior wall near the existing mural. The report also recommends increasing student artwork throughout the updated Oak Terrace campus. New murals will be developed next year with student involvement from both Oak Terrace and Red Oak.

Beginning in 2027-2028, Oak Terrace will have a leadership model that includes co-principals and an associate principal. Current Red Oak Principal Chelsey Maxwell will join Oak Terrace as co-principal to help support continuity for students, families and staff.

This leadership model is intended to help bring the two school communities together and support a positive transition into one K-5 Dual Language school.

No. The district has not made a final decision about changing the instructional model.

The Student Success Subcommittee reviewed the current 50/50 model and explored other possible models, including 80/20 and 90/10 approaches. The district also surveyed K-5 Dual Language staff on language allocation and professional development needs.

Paridad Consulting is conducting an independent evaluation of the K-5 Dual Language Program. The final evaluation will help guide future decisions about the instructional model, classroom size guidelines and resource allocation.

Paridad Consulting is conducting an independent review of the K-5 Dual Language Program. The review includes stakeholder feedback, classroom visits, staff interviews, program data and recommendations related to the instructional model, biliteracy assessment, curriculum pacing, class size and support for students.

Paridad’s final report is expected to be shared with the Board of Education in October 2026. The report will help guide long-term planning for the Dual Language Program beyond the building transition.

Input was gathered through the Dual Language Task Force, subcommittee meetings, family engagement events, family surveys, staff surveys, school tours, PTO meetings, BPAC meetings and direct student feedback.

The Facilities and Operations Subcommittee reviewed Oak Terrace, Red Oak, Indian Trail and Ravinia to compare learning spaces and understand recent district renovation work. Students at both Red Oak and Oak Terrace also provided feedback on playground design.

The Family Engagement Subcommittee gathered feedback on school traditions, family needs and transition priorities. The Student Success Subcommittee helped shape the program evaluation process and supported the selection of Paridad Consulting.

The Dual Language Task Force included nearly 60 parents/guardians, staff members, board members and administrators. The group was organized into three subcommittees: Student Success, Family Engagement, and Facilities and Operations.

The Student Success Subcommittee focused on instruction, resources, professional learning and the independent program evaluation. The Family Engagement Subcommittee focused on family communication, transition activities and school traditions. The Facilities and Operations Subcommittee focused on Oak Terrace learning spaces, outdoor areas, traffic, safety and facility needs.

The Task Force report has been completed, but the transition work continues through the 2026-2027 school year.

Next steps include preparing for incoming Dual Language kindergarten students at Oak Terrace in 2026-2027, continuing transition activities between Red Oak and Oak Terrace, completing the Paridad program evaluation, advancing Oak Terrace facility planning and preparing for the full K-5 Dual Language transition in 2027-2028.

The district will continue sharing updates with families as major decisions, timelines and transition activities are finalized.