Dual Language Immersion Programs - Celebrating Over Three Decades of Excellence

FCPS Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs begin in Kindergarten or first grade. Students learn math, science, and health in another language (French, German, Japanese, Korean or Spanish).

Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program Notice for SY 2020-2021

It is our intent to continue the DLI program in both in-person and online formats. FCPS will use the existing partial-Immersion instructional delivery model whenever possible. In this format instruction is 50% in the target language and 50% in English. The DLI program will be flexible in supporting online and in-person instruction.

Families may withdraw from the program by notifying the DLI school. In this case, families must register their child at their base school. Students who withdraw from the program or from FCPS for the upcoming year will lose their lottery spot or their seat in the DLI program. School Board Regulation 3312 governs readmission to the program.

Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Programs:

The DLI classroom delivers educational content in English and a second, partner language. The program teaches English speakers the partner language. Partner languages include French, German, Japanese, Korean, or Spanish. The DLI program also allows English Learners to develop English skills. (VDOE. 2020. Dual Language Immersion Education: Supporting K-12 Education in Virginia)

The DLI program provides mathematics, science, and health instruction in the partner language. The acquisition process comes easier in these content areas. This is because of the use of manipulatives and concrete, hands-on activities for instruction. Each content area includes literacy development. Instruction takes place in English for language arts and for social studies. DLI teachers are members of grade-level teams in the school building. The goals of the FCPS DLI program are to:

foster grade level academic achievement
develop bilingualism, biliteracy, and intercultural competence.

FCPS uses two DLI program models.

One-Way Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program Model

The One-Way (or World Language) DLI program includes fewer native speakers of the partner language (less than 50%). FCPS offers the One-Way DLI program in French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. Seven schools take part in One-Way programs. One-Way programs begin in kindergarten or first grade. FCPS uses a lottery to accept students for this program.

Two-Way Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program Model:

Two-Way DLI program classes balance speakers and learners of the partner language. Both student populations serve as peer language models to each other. The model benefits English speakers as well as English learners. The Two-Way DLI program offers Korean and Spanish as partner languages. Ten schools take part in Two-Way programs. Two-way programs begin in kindergarten. FCPS uses a lottery to accept students for this program.

Benefits of Being Bilingual

Many studies show the advantages of bilingualism and biliteracy. Benefits range from cognitive to economic to socio-cultural. The Center for Applied Linguistics notes these benefits of early language learning.

“Learning a second language:

Has a positive effect on intellectual growth
Enriches a child's mental development
Promotes flexible thinking
Develops greater sensitivity to language and a better ear for listening
Improves a child's understanding of his/her native language
Gives a child the ability to communicate with people s/he would otherwise not have the chance to know
Opens the door to other cultures
Helps children understand and appreciate people from other countries
Gives a student a head start in language requirements for college
Increases job opportunities

Enrollment Information

FCPS uses a lottery to accept students for this program. Regulation 3312 rgoverns the lottery process. Parents may attend informational meetings before registering for the lottery. All meetings include information for both One Way and Two-Way DLI programs.

Schedule of meetings for enrollment

Schools

School-based lottery schools are only open to residents who live within the boundaries of these schools. If this is your base school and you are interested in applying, please contact the school directly.

County-wide lottery schools are open to all Fairfax County residents through a lottery process.

Transportation will not be provided for students residing outside the DLI school’s attendance area.

School	Language and Grade Levels	Type of Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program	Middle School Transition Programs
Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences 6111 Knollwood Dr. Falls Church, VA 22041 (703) 575-6800	Spanish K-2	Two-Way Immersion (County-wide lottery placement)	Glasgow Middle School 101 Fairfax Pkwy. Alexandria, VA 22312 (703) 813-8700
Bailey's Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences 6245 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA 22044 (703) 503-2700	Spanish 3-5	Two-Way Immersion (Continuation from Bailey’s Primary, County-wide placement)	Glasgow Middle School 101 Fairfax Pkwy. Alexandria, VA 22312 (703) 813-8700
Braddock Elementary 7825 Heritage Dr. Annandale, VA 22003 703-914-7300	Spanish K-5	Two-Way Immersion (School-based lottery placement)	Poe Middle School 7000 Cindy Ln Annandale, VA 22003 703-813-3800
Fox Mill Elementary 2601 Viking Dr. Herndon, VA 20171 (703) 262-2700	Japanese 1-6	One-Way (World Language) Immersion (County-wide lottery placement)	Rachel Carson Middle School 13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 (703) 925-3600
Fort Hunt Elementary 8832 Linton Ln. Alexandria, VA 22308 (703) 619-2600	Spanish K-6	One-Way (World Language) Immersion (County-wide lottery placement)	Sandburg Middle School 8428 Fort Hunt Rd. Alexandria, VA 22308 (703) 799-6100
Great Falls Elementary 701 Walker Rd. Great Falls, VA 22066 (703) 757-2100	Japanese 1-6	One-Way (World Language) Immersion (County-wide lottery placement)	Cooper Middle School 977 Balls Hill Rd. McLean, VA 22101 (703) 442-5800
Groveton Elementary 6900 Harrison Ln. Alexandria, VA 22306 703-718-8000	Spanish K-6	Two-Way Immersion (School-based lottery placement)	Sandburg Middle School 8428 Fort Hunt Rd. Alexandria, VA 22308 (703) 799-6100
Herndon Elementary 630 Dranesville Rd. Herndon, VA 20170 (703) 326-3100	Spanish: K-6	Two-Way Immersion (Spanish) (School-based lottery placement)	Herndon Middle School 901 Locust St. Herndon, VA 20170 (703) 904-4800
Kent Gardens Elementary 1717 Melbourne Dr. McLean, VA 22101 (703) 394-5600	French 1-6	One-Way (World Language) Immersion (County-wide lottery placement)	Longfellow Middle School 2000 Westmoreland St. Falls Church, VA 22043 (703) 533-2600
Lake Anne Elementary 11510 North Shore Dr. Reston, VA 20190 (703) 326-3500	Spanish K-6	Two-Way Immersion (County-wide lottery placement)	Hughes Middle School 11401 Ridge Heights Rd. Reston, VA 20191 (703) 715-3600
Laurel Ridge Elementary 10110 Commonwealth Blvd. Fairfax, VA 22032 (703) 426-3700	Spanish K-6	One-Way (World Language) Immersion (County-wide lottery placement)	Robinson Secondary School 5035 Sideburn Rd. Fairfax, VA 22032 (703) 426-2100
London Towne Elementary 6100 Stone Rd. Centreville, VA 22120 (703) 227-5400	Spanish K-6	Two-Way Immersion (County-wide lottery placement)	Stone Middle School 5500 Sully Park Dr. Centreville, VA 20120 (703) 631-5500
Orange Hunt Elementary 6820 Sydenstricker Rd. Springfield, VA 22152 (703) 913-6800	German 1-6	One-Way (World Language) Immersion (County-wide lottery placement)	Irving Middle School 8100 Old Keene Mill Rd. Springfield, VA 22152 (703) 912-4500
Powell Elementary 13340 Leland Rd. Centreville, VA 20120 571-522-6000	Korean K-6	Two-Way Immersion (County-wide lottery placement)	Liberty Middle School 6801 Union Mill Rd Clifton, VA 20124 703-988-8100
Ravensworth Elementary 5411 Nutting Dr. Springfield, VA 22151 (703) 426-3600	Spanish 1-6	One-Way (World Language) Immersion (County-wide lottery placement)	Lake Braddock Secondary School 9200 Burke Lake Rd. Burke, VA 22015 (703) 426-1000
Rose Hill Elementary 6301 Rose Hill Dr. Alexandria, VA 22310 (703) 313-4200	Spanish K-6	Two-Way Immersion (County-wide lottery placement)	Hayfield Secondary School 7360 Telegraph Road Alexandria, VA 22315 (703) 924-7400 And Twain Middle School 4700 Franconia Rd. Alexandria, VA 22310 (703) 313-3700
Washington Mill Elementary 9100 Cherrytree Dr. Alexandria, VA 22309 703-619-2500	Spanish K-6	Two-Way Immersion (School-based lottery placement)	Whitman Middle School 8515 Old Mt Vernon Rd Alexandria, VA 22309 703-619-3100