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
|
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 |
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
|
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 |
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 And Twain Middle School |
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 |
Research on Dual Language Immersion Education
Top Ten Answers for Parents about Immersion Education
Dual-Language Immersion Programs Raise Student Achievement in English
The Multiple Benefits of Dual Language
What does Research Show about the Benefits of Language Learning?
The Cognitive Benefits of Being Bilingual
Dual Language Education Can Close Achievement Gap (Whitepaper)
VDOE Guidance Document: Dual Language Immersion Education: Supporting K-12 Implementation in Virginia (PDF)