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Dual Language & ESL Programs

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If you have questions about Dual Language and ESL programs, please contact Enrique Castro at ecastro@nssd112.org.

Dual Language Information Night will be held on January 14, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at Northwood Middle School (945 North Avenue).

Dual Language Program

The District 112 Dual Language Program, which has been running for more than 25 years, is a Spanish and English immersion option available for students from preschool through eighth grade. The program is designed to develop academic and cultural competence, as well as bilingualism, starting in kindergarten. In Dual Language classrooms, approximately half of the students are Spanish speakers and half are English speakers, and they are taught by specially trained bilingual teachers. Reading and writing are introduced in both English and Spanish from kindergarten, while math is primarily taught in English with connections to Spanish in grades K-5. Science and social studies are integrated with language arts, providing context and authentic language learning experiences for all students.

The program’s goals are to help students achieve high levels of proficiency in both languages, maintain high academic achievement, and develop positive attitudes toward language and diverse cultures. Parents are encouraged to participate in classroom and after-school activities. 

Students are encouraged to stay in the program from kindergarten through eighth grade to achieve these goals, maintain a continuous educational plan, and preserve the language balance essential to the program. Dual Language students also have opportunities at the middle and high school levels in District 113, where they can earn the Illinois Seal of Biliteracy and the Highland Park High School Dual Language Seal.

In addition to the Dual Language Program, the district offers comprehensive ESL services across all schools. For more information, you can review the program FAQ and other resources on this page, or learn more through the Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC).

Dual Language Lottery

Annually, North Shore School District 112 holds a lottery for students who wish to participate in the Dual Language programs in kindergarten and first grade.

  • To be eligible for the kindergarten lottery, all families must complete the pre-registration process and provide the required proof of residency. Pre-registration forms will be available on February 1, 2025.
     
  • To be eligible for the first grade, families must fill out and submit an application. Applications will be available on February 1, 2025.

To be considered for Dual Language in the lottery pull, pre-registration and the application must be complete by February 28, 2025. Applications received after February 28, 2025 will be placed in the order received on the waiting list. 

Priority placement is only available to families who completed the pre-registration and application by February 28, 2025. Priority placement is in the following order: 

  1. Student has siblings currently enrolled in the Dual Language program
  2. Student attends the Early Childhood Dual Language program at Oak Terrace 

A date for the lottery will be shared soon. Families selected to participate in Dual Language from the lottery will have seven days from when they receive their communication to accept or decline placement in Dual Language. All applicants will receive communication on their application status following the lottery pull.

Additional Dual Language Questions and Answers

2024 Dual Language Information Night

Overview: District 112 Dual Language Immersion Program

In an effort to celebrate and promote this special instructional program, we have created this video narrated by Northwood Middle School 6th-grade student Rafael Pickle (narrated in Spanish with English subtitles).

 

Overview: District 112 Dual Language Immersion Program

In an effort to celebrate and promote this special instructional program, we have created this video narrated by Northwood Middle School 6th-grade student Rafael Pickle (narrated in Spanish with English subtitles).

 

Dual Language Instruction in Kindergarten

This video shows literacy instruction in a kindergarten dual language classroom. It focuses on learning to read in both languages and student engagement.

 

 

 

Dominican Republic Capstone Trip Documentary

More than thirty 8th-grade Dual Language students and chaperones went on a service learning trip to the Dominican Republic. This trip was a capstone to their District 112 Dual Language experience.

 

 

Dual Language Kindergarten Teacher Ms Ashley Servin

Meet112 episode featuring Dual Language Kindergarten Teacher Ms. Ashley Servin.