Lynwood Unified School District students will benefit from a unique and immersive learning experience through the District’s Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, which will expand to a second school in the 2024-25 school year to continue fostering bilingualism and biliteracy among a new generation of scholars.
The program – which aims to help students achieve excellence through cross-cultural understanding – will introduce one Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and two kindergarten classes at Mark Twain Elementary School beginning in Fall 2024.
“We are thrilled to expand this highly sought-after program, which will open many doors of opportunities for students to succeed in school and life,” Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite, Ph.D. said. “Being bilingual is an invaluable skill that these students can take with them as a tool in college and career, and we’re looking forward to increasing their levels of success.”
The District’s DLI program has provided educational, cognitive, sociocultural and economic benefits to kindergarten through third-grade students at Will Rogers Elementary School since 2014. The program is designed to ensure students achieve academic proficiency in the core academic content areas, earn a Seal of Biliteracy when they graduate and leave the District prepared to compete in a complex global community.
“There is beauty in being able to connect with your elders and community members, and although it’s only kindergarten, I already see a big growth in my students,” Will Rogers teacher Gladys Barbieri said. “Cultural, economic and educational enrichments are also a major benefit of Dual Language Immersion programs.”
Using the 90:10 two-way DLI model, which has been shown to create higher levels of bilingualism, the program begins with 90% of instruction taught in Spanish and decreases yearly until students successfully reach a 50:50 instruction time between both languages.
“My son has an amazing teacher, his confidence has gotten a lot higher, and he’s now able to communicate with my family and other people in English and Spanish,” Will Rogers parent Yvette Sandoval said. “I want my children to have the opportunity to go any place in the world and be able to confidently speak and communicate with those around them. This program helps them learn and be competitive in the workforce and the world.”
The District’s DLI program is currently accepting TK and kindergarten enrollment applications for the 2024-25 school year at Will Rogers and Mark Twain elementary schools. Interested families can visit the enrollment page for details on information sessions and the enrollment process.