Dual Language Program

What is the Dual Language Program?

The FPS Dual Language Program is offered to students in grades K-6 throughout Franklin Pierce Schools. During kindergarten, teachers provide 90% of instruction in Spanish in order to facilitate early Spanish acquisition. In grades 1-6, English instruction is gradually increased across subject areas so that language use is split evenly in higher grades.

In grades 6-8, students take 3 classes in Spanish (Spanish Language Arts, Science and Social Studies) and 3 classes in English (Math and two electives).

Modelo de Instrucción
En los primeros dos años de instrucción, los maestros provén un 90% de la instrucción en español para poder facilitar la adquisición del español. Conforme los estudiantes progresen, la instrucción en inglés se va incrementando gradualmente para que el uso del idioma sea dividido equitativamente en los grados más altos.

What are the benefits of participating?

Why enroll in the dual language program?

Dual language students are known to have high levels of academic achievement in both Spanish and English
Dual language students have the ability to speak, read and write in Spanish and English within all academic subjects
Dual language students gain cross cultural skills leading them to value rich multicultural environments

¿Por qué inscribirse?

Los alumnos adquieren un nivel alto de alfabetización bilingüe en todas las materias impartidas en inglés y español
Desarrollan la habilidad de hablar, leer y escribir en español y en inglés en todas las materias académicas
Y desarrollan habilidades multiculturales que llevan a valorar el ambiente de enriquecimiento multicultural

Kindergarten Enrollment

To maintain an environment of educational and linguistic equity and to promote interactions between native speakers of both languages, the Dual Language Program seeks a classroom balance with 50% students whose primary language is English and 50% whose primary language is Spanish.

Kindergarten Enrollment

First priority: Students who live in the Harvard Elementary enrollment boundary area (transportation is provided).
Students who live in the Franklin Pierce Schools district boundary that can provide their own transportation.
Students who live outside of the Franklin Pierce Schools district boundary that can provide their own transportation.

Prioridades en la inscripción

Los estudiantes que viven en el área que pertenece a la Escuela Primaria Harvard.
Los estudiantes que viven en los límites del Distrito Escolar Franklin Pierce que puedan proveer su propio medio de transporte.
Los estudiantes que vivan fuera de los límites del Distrito Escolar Franklin Pierce
y puedan proveer su propio medio de transporte.

Elementary (Grades 1-5) Enrollment

To maintain an environment of educational and linguistic equity and to promote interactions between native speakers of both languages, the Dual Language Program seeks a classroom balance with 50% students whose primary language is English and 50% whose primary language is Spanish.

Elementary Enrollment

First priority: Students that enrolled in the program in Kindergarten or have previously participated in the program and live in the Harvard Elementary enrollment boundary area (transportation is provided).
Heritage Spanish speaking students and multilingual learners identified on the Washington State Home Language Survey and determined eligible for English language development services may enter the DL program at any time.
Students whose primary language is English may enter at kindergarten through the first trimester of grade 1, to give students ample opportunity to become bilingual and biliterate in Spanish and English. Entry after the start of the kindergarten year is based on space availability. Enrolling families commit to participation through the elementary school program.
Students that live in the Franklin Pierce Schools district boundary that can provide their own transportation.
Students that live outside of the Franklin Pierce Schools district boundary that can provide their own transportation.

Prioridades en la inscripción

Los estudiantes que viven en el área que pertenece a la Escuela Primaria Harvard.
Los estudiantes que viven en los límites del Distrito Escolar Franklin Pierce que puedan proveer su propio medio de transporte.
Los estudiantes que vivan fuera de los límites del Distrito Escolar Franklin Pierce
y puedan proveer su propio medio de transporte.

Middle School (Grades 6-8) Enrollment

Middle School Enrollment

Students who have participated in a DL elementary program may enter directly into the middle school program.
The middle school will also prioritize Spanish-speaking newcomer students who might otherwise be placed in English-only instruction.
Spanish-speaking students from other schools in the district or surrounding area may also be incorporated into the DL program at the middle school level on a space-available basis if students demonstrate skills to access content in Spanish.
Students that live in the Franklin Pierce Schools district boundary that can provide their own transportation.
Students that live outside of the Franklin Pierce Schools district boundary that can provide their own transportation.

Program Location and Transportation

Elementary Location and Transportation

The Dual Language Program started in 2017 at Harvard Elementary with the incoming Kindergarten class. The program has rolled up each year while welcoming a new Kindergarten class and now serves students in grades K-5. Students that are assigned to Harvard Elementary will receive transportation. Students that are assigned to other schools within Franklin Pierce Schools or neighboring school districts must provide their own transportation.

Middle School Location and Transportation

Starting in 2023, the program will be offered to 6th graders at Ford Middle School. Students that are assigned to Ford Middle School will receive transportation. Students that are assigned to other schools within Franklin Pierce Schools or neighboring school districts must provide their own transportation.

In This Section