Dual Language & ESL Programs

The submission period for the 2024-2025 Dual Language program has now closed. A lottery will be conducted on Friday, March 8, to allocate program slots for the upcoming year.

If you have questions about the Dual Language program, please contact Enrique Castro at ecastro@nssd112.org.

Thank you for your interest in the District 112 Dual Language program. This program, that has been running for more than 25 years, is dedicated to developing academic and cultural competence and bilingualism for students from preschool through eighth grade. Students enrolled in the Dual Language program may earn the Illinois Seal of Biliteracy and the Highland Park High School Dual Language Seal. The district also provides comprehensive ESL services to all schools district-wide. 

We invite you to review the program FAQ and other information on this page to further explore the program. You can also learn more about our programs through the Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC). 

Dual Language Lottery Information

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, 2024.
   
• To be eligible for the first grade, families must fill out and submit an application. Applications will be available on February 1, 2024.

To be considered for Dual Language in the lottery pull, pre-registration and the application must be complete by February 29, 2024. Applications received after February 28, 2024 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 29, 2024. 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 

The tentative date for the lottery pull will be March 8. 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.