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:
- K-12 Spanish Immersion programming along with a path for heritage Spanish speakers to become bilingual and biliterate in Spanish and English by graduation
- English Language Learners programming – personalized instruction to ensure that students who enter school with a background in a language other than English, aligned with criteria from the state, are prepared for the language demands of their classes
- World language learning in Spanish or German (outside of immersion, in grades 7-12)
- An opportunity to earn bilingual seals and certificates that recognize proficiency in a language other than English
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.
- Preschool
- Kindergarten – grade 4: Woodcrest Spanish Immersion
- Grade 5-6: Westwood Intermediate School
- Grades 7-8: Westwood Middle School
- Grades 9-12: Spring Lake Park High School
Preschool
Kindergarten – grade 4: Woodcrest Spanish Immersion
Grade 5-6: Westwood Intermediate School
Grades 7-8: Westwood Middle School
Grades 9-12: Spring Lake Park High School
Heritage Spanish speakers
- Grades PreK-4: Woodcrest Spanish Immersion Elementary School
- Grades 5-8: Westwood Intermediate and Middle School
- Grades 9-12: Spring Lake Park High School
Grades PreK-4: Woodcrest Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Grades 5-8: Westwood Intermediate and Middle School
Grades 9-12: Spring Lake Park 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.
- My child was born in the United States. Why do you need to assess his or her language proficiency?
- How does an English learner program help students?
- How will I know how my child’s English is developing?
- How can I support my child at home?
- How long will my child receive English language services?
My child was born in the United States. Why do you need to assess his or her language proficiency?
How does an English learner program help students?
How will I know how my child’s English is developing?
How can I support my child at home?
How long will my child receive English language services?
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.