Dual Language Learning Models at San Antonio Schools

sachartermoms Leave a Comment
Spanish Grove Academy dual language preschool

Would a school of choice with a dual language learning model be the right fit for your children? In this guide for parents and caregivers, we will explain more about what it means for a school to have a dual language learning model and give examples of schools in San Antonio that offer this model. Our goal is to help you understand the range of learning models that are available in schools of choice and enroll your children in high-quality schools that are the right fit for their needs. 

What Is Dual Language Education?

Success in today’s world often means being fluent in other languages. Teaching a second language while children’s minds are young and flexible is the premise behind dual language learning models. Families and educators report seeing benefits when students learn a second language at an early age. It can improve memory, concentration, critical thinking, and listening skills while enhancing creativity and mental flexibility.

Although some use the terms interchangeably, dual language learning models are different from immersion models. In a Spanish/English dual language classroom, materials are taught in both languages. In a Spanish immersion classroom, the material is taught entirely in Spanish.

Somerset Academy Lone Star sensory hallway

San Antonio Public Schools That Offer Dual Language

In San Antonio, families can choose dual language education at several open enrollment public charter schools and in-district charter schools. These are tuition-free, public schools that are open to all students in a wide enrollment area, as we explain in our guide to school models.

CAST Med High School, part of the CAST Schools network, offers dual language education and has a learning model focused on preparing students for medical careers.

East Central ISD Schools of Choice offer dual language learning models at Salado Dual Language Immersion Academy and Oak Crest Dual Language Immersion Academy.

Edgewood ISD offers dual language education at its Schools of Innovation, including Gardendale Early Learning Program, Gus Garcia University School, Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary, Las Palmas Leadership School for Girls, Loma Park Elementary, Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary, Roosevelt Dual Language Academy, Roy Cisneros Leadership School for Boys, and Stafford Visual and Performing Arts Elementary.

NEISD offers dual language education at specific campuses within clusters of schools. Dual language campuses in NEISD include Coker Elementary, Colonial Hills Elementary, East Terrell Hills Elementary, El Dorado Elementary, Jackson-Keller Elementary, Larkspur Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary, Olmos Elementary, Regency Place Elementary, Ridgeview Elementary, Roan Forest Elementary, Stahl Elementary, Steubing Ranch Elementary, Stone Oak Elementary, Vineyard Ranch Elementary, and Walzem Elementary; Bradley Middle School, Eisenhower Middle School, Garner Middle School, Lopez Middle School, Nimitz Middle School; and MacArthur High School. These programs are open to families who live within NEISD district boundaries.

SAISD Choice Schools offer many options with dual language education. Bonham Academy (and Bonham Academy at Green), Graebner Elementary School, Irving Dual Language Academy, and Twain Dual Language Academy (including Twain Dual Language Academy at Gonzales) are partnership schools with UTSA Dual Language Community Lab Schools. Additional dual language choice schools include Ball Elementary, Bowden Academy, Briscoe Elementary, Cotton Academy (and Cotton Academy at Beacon Hill), Ogden Elementary, Poe STEM Dual Language Middle School, and Rodriguez Montessori Elementary. SAISD Choice Schools are open to students who live outside district boundaries. In addition, SAISD offers bilingual and dual language education at campuses that are not choice schools.

Somerset Academy Lone Star, part of Somerset Academies of Texas, is an open enrollment charter school that offers two learning models: a traditional program with Spanish as an elective, and a bilingual program with instruction in both English and Spanish.

EKHLA is an open enrollment charter school that offers instruction in Hebrew language and the culture and history of Israel in an educational environment with high academic and behavioral standards.

Traditional public school districts in the San Antonio region offer bilingual education, dual language learning models, and language immersion programs. Learn more at each district’s website: Alamo Heights ISD, Boerne ISD, Comal ISD, Fort Sam Houston ISD, Harlandale ISD, Judson ISD, Lackland ISD, Medina Valley ISD, New Braunfels ISD, Northside ISD, Randolph Field ISD, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, Somerset ISD, South San Antonio ISD, Southside ISD, Southwest ISD.

East Central Dual Language dia de los muertos ofrenda market square

Dual Language ​​in Other Education Settings

Dual language is available in other education settings, including private schools and early childhood education centers. Read more in these blog posts:

Also, families can choose to homeschool using multiple languages. Pathways Home Education and Beyond Education can assist families with setting up their homeschool environments.

Identifying dual language as a desired learning model is an important step in your school search. As a parent or caregiver who is researching schools for your children, the range of options can be overwhelming. Remember that you know your children better than anyone else. As you develop an understanding of different learning models, you can narrow the field to the ones where your child will likely be their happiest and most successful. Visiting School Discovery Day events is a great way for parents to meet with representatives from multiple schools in one day, ask questions, and get a feel for the school’s climate and culture. The San Antonio Charter Moms team wants to make it as easy as possible to find the right school for your child as easy as possible. We have a wealth of resources, including our Facebook discussion group, interviews with schools, and a weekly newsletter, to help you make the best choice.

Learning Models Handout

Download or print our learning models information as a one-page handout. The text is in English on one side and in Spanish on the other.

San Antonio Charter Moms Learning Models Level Up

Read More About Dual Language Learning Models

Share with friends:

sachartermoms

A nonprofit that helps parents to research school options and become advocates for high quality education.

More Posts Twitter Facebook