Dual Language Program (Spanish/English)

The Dual Language Program is designed to graduate students who are bilingual, biliterate, academically prepared, and culturally competent, while sustaining a viable instructional model across grade levels.

English and Spanish Languages

The program provides students with the opportunity to learn listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in both English and Spanish, while working toward grade-level academic standards. The goal is promoting academic success while fostering socio-cultural understanding.

Program Enrollment & Balanced Language Model

Student enrollment is voluntary and must reflect a balanced language model, with approximately 50 percent of students identified as English speakers and 50 percent identified as Spanish speakers, based on the Home Language Survey. This balance supports effective peer language modeling and program integrity.

Transportation is not provided to students who do not live within the boundary of the school they attend. You can look up your address using the address look-up tool online.

Elementary Program (Grades K-5)

Elementary classrooms are organized as grade-level or multi-age cohorts, depending on enrollment and must reflect a balanced language model. Students learn alongside peers with varying levels of language proficiency, allowing for natural modeling, collaboration, and flexible instructional pacing.

Schools
Classrooms

Schools

Classrooms

Secondary Program (Grades 6-12)

At the secondary level, the program is structured to balance continued language development when enrollment and language balance requirements are met. To offer a Dual Language pathway in grades 6–12, a minimum enrollment of 25 students is required and must reflect a balance language model.

Schools
Courses

Schools

Courses

Students who participate in the secondary dual language pathway receive instruction in English Language Arts and Social Studies using both English and Spanish. Additional electives may be offered based on staff availability and student interest.

Additional opportunities for advanced language study are provided through Spanish courses and Tacoma Flex offerings as an elective. This structure supports student choice and scheduling flexibility during middle and high school while maintaining continuity in language development. Combining in-person instruction with flexible course options allows students to participate fully in elective and pathway offerings.

Additional program information

Student language proficiency requirements

Starting in grade 3, students new to the program are assessed for language proficiency to support program sustainability. This approach accounts for student mobility and helps maintain balanced cohorts over time.

Grades K-2: Open enrollment
Grades 3-12: New students will be assessed using district tools to measure real-world language proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

Student Supports

Grade-level transition

Families with students in grades 5 and 8 will be asked to commit to a middle school or high school pathway. If minimum enrollment or language balance thresholds are not met, families will be notified that the program will not be offered for that year.

All middle and high schools can provide at least two years of world language coursework, offered either in person or through Tacoma Flex.

Funding and Sustainability

Dual Language as an Enrichment Model

The Dual Language Program is structured as an enrichment pathway rather than an intervention approach and reflects extensive research highlighting the long-term academic and cognitive benefits associated with bilingual and biliteracy education. Dual language Instruction is for students learning English and Spanish and is intentionally designed as a choice academic option for diverse learners. Instruction in both languages is standards-based and academically rigorous. Developing literacy in two languages is treated as a strength that prepares students for future academic and career opportunities.