Dual-Language Programs
What are Dual-Language and Immersion Programs?
What are the benefits for your child becoming bilingual, biliterate and bicultural?
Which elementary schools offer dual-language programs?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Spanish/English Dual-Language Choice School
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Elementary opened for the 2023-24 school year, and it is the first entirely Spanish/English dual-language program.
Since beginning this model at an early grade is essential for success, RBG will enroll students in kindergarten and first grade the first year it is open, and grades offered each school year will expand as the students progress until all grades preschool through fifth grade are offered.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is considered a school of choice and is open to students across the district with no “neighborhood school” boundaries.
Is transportation provided to RBG?
Yes, transportation is provided from the students’ neighborhood schools.
Spanish/English Dual-Language Programs at Neighborhood Schools
Spanish/English Dual-Language programs are offered in the following neighborhood schools:
All students must apply for the dual-language program, even if this is their neighborhood school.
Students who live in a neighborhood school’s boundaries are given preference, followed by other students in the district hoping to join the program.
Students within the schools’ boundaries can also choose an English-only traditional learning program.
Mandarin Language Immersion at a Neighborhood School
Our Mandarin language immersion program is offered at Franklin Elementary neighborhood school.
Students who live in a neighborhood school’s boundaries are given preference, followed by other students in the district hoping to join the program.
Students within the schools’ boundaries can also choose an English-only traditional learning program.
How are students selected?
The Vancouver Public Schools board approved an equity-based selection policy for choice schools and programs of choice which states, “The district will provide all students an equitable opportunity to participate in and benefit from the district’s academic and extracurricular programs, including the district’s programs of choice.”
Based on this, the selection process for all programs of choice, secondary and elementary, will allot a designated number of openings based on the student’s neighborhood school’s population size and factors of that school community. This selection process is an effort to assure the enrollment within programs of choice mirror those of the district.
Dates to know
How do I apply?
Spanish/English Dual-Language pathways
Our dual-language pathways support students in their language learning experience from grades kindergarten through 12th grade.
In middle school, students can continue the dual-language program at either Gaiser Middle School or McLoughlin Middle School. The dual-language program offers two classes per grade in Spanish and students have the opportunity to earn up to four high school credits.
Students who complete the program through eighth grade will receive a Certificate of Biliteracy.
In high school, students can earn college credit and higher placement in college courses, and dual credit opportunities are available through two Advanced Placement courses. The program is located at Fort Vancouver High School.
Students who complete the program through 12th grade will receive a Washington Seal of Biliteracy.
Mandarin Language Learning Program pathways
Our Mandarin Language Learning Program pathways support students in their language learning experience from grades kindergarten through 12th grade.
The Mandarin Language Learning Program is an academically challenging and enriching program for developing linguistic proficiency in Mandarin and English. Beginning in kindergarten, approximately 90 percent of instruction will be in Mandarin and 10 percent in English to facilitate early Mandarin Chinese language acquisition and literacy development. Students enter the program in kindergarten and continue through fifth grade at Ben Franklin Elementary School.
Mandarin language instruction continues with a focus on literacy at Jason Lee Middle School. At the middle school level, students receive two periods of instruction in Mandarin. At VPS middle schools, world language courses are taken as electives.
The Mandarin Language Learning Pathway is offered at Columbia River High School, home of the International Baccalaureate program. This school offers college-level coursework and a learning focus on international-mindedness and global competence.
