Immersion and Multilingual Learners

Spring Lake Park Schools offers a variety of language learning experiences – from K-12 Spanish Immersion programming to instruction for English language learners to opportunities to learn world languages and earn bilingual seals.

Immersion and multilingual learning experiences at Spring Lake Park Schools support students in acquiring language skills, becoming multilingual and multiliterate graduates and even earning college credit and bilingual seals. We offer:

Spanish Immersion (preK-12)

At Spring Lake Park Schools, our Spanish Immersion program is focused on creating bilingual and biliterate high school graduates proficient in Spanish and English. Programming spans the entire preK-grade 12 experience at Woodcrest Elementary Spanish Immersion, Westwood Intermediate and Middle School and Spring Lake Park High School.

With our immersion programming, students in the younger grades develop proficiency in Spanish by hearing and using it to learn all school subjects, rather than only studying the Spanish by itself. In the older grades, students have opportunities to take courses for college credit.

The student journey for immersion at Spring Lake Park Schools spans three schools:

  • Preschool programming is available at Woodcrest Elementary Spanish Immersion for families interested in exploring immersion.
  • Grades K-4 immersion is located at Woodcrest Elementary Spanish Immersion.
  • Grades 5-8 immersion programming is located at Westwood Intermediate and Middle School.
  • Grades 9-12 programming at Spring Lake Park High School provides an opportunity for students who have attained proficiency in Spanish, to earn college level credits in Spanish.

More than thirty years of research indicates this is the most effective type of language acquisition instruction.

Heritage Spanish speakers

For heritage speakers of Spanish, we offer a path and support for students to become bilingual and biliterate by the time they graduate from high school. 

English Language Learners

In Spring Lake Park Schools, we believe that multilingualism is an asset. For students whose primary language is not English, we personalize learning to ensure equitable access to learning opportunities, while honoring the unique languages and cultures students bring to our schools.

The English Learner Framework outlines how Spring Lake Park Schools supports the language development of students identified as English Learners to ensure all students have the language, academic and life skills necessary to ready or college and career. We offer a personalized system of support for students identified as English Learners as they work to develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English.


The WIDA ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 is an assessment given each year to K-12 students identified as English Language Learners. The test assesses a student’s current English proficiency level in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. See the dates for the ACCESS test.  

If you have questions, please contact your child’s school.

World Language Learning (grades 7-12)

Students not engaged in Spanish Immersion programming have an opportunity to begin learning a world language as early as grade 7. In grade 7, students may elect to take an introductory Spanish or German class. As early as grade 8, students can opt into Spanish 1 or German 1 course for high school credit. Students who continue with this sequence and attain certain proficiency levels will have the opportunity to earn college credits as early as their fourth year of studying the language.

Bilingual Seals and Certificates

Minnesota bilingual and multilingual seals and World Language Proficiency Certificates recognize proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing specific languages other than English. Students with a bilingual seal or certificate may earn college credits at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Bilingual recognition may provide other post-secondary advantages on a student’s college and career path.

To be eligible to earn a seal or certificate, high school students must meet the required English Language Arts credit for high school graduation.

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