Immersion and Multilingual Learning

Start your child's bilingual journey in preschool. Spanish Immersion Preschool is a half-day program for families who want to begin their child's Spanish Immersion journey before kindergarten.

Young children are naturally ready to learn new languages. Build confidence in Spanish through play, learning and everyday conversations.  In preschool, students hear and use Spanish every day as they learn, play, explore and build preschool skills. 

Spanish Immersion Preschool is located at Woodcrest Elementary Spanish Immersion.

Interested in learning more? Explore our preschool options. 

At Woodcrest Elementary Spanish Immersion, students begin an exciting journey to become bilingual and biliterate in Spanish and English.

From kindergarten through grade 4, students learn in Spanish every day while building the same academic skills as students in all Spring Lake Park elementary schools. Along the way, they gain confidence communicating in two languages and develop a deeper understanding of different cultures.

Learning through Spanish

Students learn reading, writing, math, science and other core subjects in Spanish. In kindergarten through grade 2, about 90% of instruction is in Spanish and 10% is in English. Formal English reading instruction begins in grade 2.

As students learn and grow, they build strong skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing in both Spanish and English.

A school where language comes to life

Students learn from caring teachers and staff who are bilingual, and many are multilingual. Bilingual teachers help students hear and use authentic Spanish throughout the school day, creating a rich language-learning experience.

Preparing students for the future

The Spanish Immersion program continues through middle school and high school, giving students opportunities to strengthen their language skills, earn college credit and graduate bilingual and biliterate.

Research shows that students in well-designed immersion programs perform as well as, or better than, their peers academically while gaining the lifelong benefit of speaking more than one language.

Students who attend Woodcrest Elementary Spanish Immersion continue their bilingual journey at Westwood Intermediate School in grades 5 and 6.

As students grow, they strengthen their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing in Spanish while continuing to learn the same academic content as their peers. By the end of grade 5, most students communicate confidently in Spanish in everyday and academic settings.

Learning in two languages

Students spend about 70% of their school day learning in Spanish and 30% in English.

Classes taught in Spanish include:

• Spanish language arts
• Math
• Science
• Social studies
• Morning meeting

Classes taught in English include:

• English language arts
• Art
• Music
• Physical education

Opportunities for students who speak Spanish at home

Students who speak Spanish at home but did not begin the immersion program in kindergarten may have the opportunity to join Spanish Immersion in grade 6.

Based on their Spanish language skills, students may join either a Spanish Immersion classroom or a class called Pre-Juntos. Juntos means "together." Pre-Juntos helps students who speak Spanish at home strengthen their reading and writing skills in Spanish while building on the language they already know. This prepares them to continue their journey toward becoming bilingual and biliterate.

Spanish Immersion classrooms for grades 5 and 6 are located together at Westwood, creating a welcoming community where students continue learning and using Spanish every day.

The bilingual journey continues in grades 7 and 8 through our Juntos program at Westwood Middle School. Juntos means "together." In these classes, students continue building their Spanish and English language skills while learning alongside classmates who began in Spanish Immersion and students who speak Spanish at home.

Juntos helps students become confident readers, writers, speakers and listeners in both languages while deepening their understanding of the cultures and communities of the Spanish-speaking world. The program prepares students to continue their bilingual journey in high school and work toward becoming bilingual and biliterate by graduation.

Spanish learning opportunities

Students may take up to two classes in Spanish each year.

Grade 7

• Social Studies (taught in Spanish)
• Juntos I (high school credit)

Grade 8

• Social Studies (taught in Spanish)
• Juntos II (high school credit)

The bilingual journey continues at Spring Lake Park High School with advanced Spanish courses that help students strengthen their language skills and prepare for college, careers and life. Students continue building confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing in Spanish while exploring the language, cultures and communities of the Spanish-speaking world.

Advanced learning opportunities

Students may take Spanish courses each year based on their language skills and placement results. In addition to Spanish language courses, students may have opportunities to complete internships where they use their Spanish skills.

College credit

Students may earn college credit through our partnership with Minnesota State University, Mankato. Depending on their placement, some students may begin earning college credit as early as 9th grade.

Students may also take Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish Literature and Culture for additional college credit opportunities.

Bilingual recognition

Beginning in grade 10, students may earn a Minnesota Bilingual Seal or World Language Proficiency Certificate. These honors recognize students who demonstrate strong Spanish language skills and may qualify for college credit at participating Minnesota colleges and universities.

Getting started

In the spring of 8th grade, students take a Spanish language assessment that helps place them in the course that best matches their skills. This ensures every student starts at the right level and continues growing throughout high school.

To personalize learning, we take time to learn about each student’s language background, experiences and strengths.

During enrollment, families complete a Home Language Survey that tells us about the language(s) students use at home and outside of school. We also talk with families to better understand each student’s culture and language experiences.

Based on what we learn, some students may complete an English language assessment (or screener) to help us understand their current English skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

A student may be able to have conversations with friends and follow everyday directions but still need support with the more advanced language used for classroom learning. This information helps us provide the right support so every student can be successful.

At Spring Lake Park Schools, we believe all teachers help students build language skills.

Throughout the school day, students receiving English Learner services get support to develop the English skills they need to participate and succeed in their classes.

 Support may happen in a dedicated English Learner class or through instruction and support provided in the classroom with their peers. Students learn English while also learning grade-level content, building confidence and preparing for future success.

Students who receive English Learner services take the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 assessment each year. This test measures how students are developing their English skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. The assessment helps teachers understand what each student already knows and what support will help them continue growing.

Families receive their child’s ACCESS results in late summer or early fall. Score reports are available in many languages, and your child’s English Learner teacher can help explain the results and answer questions.

Throughout the school year, teachers also look at classroom work, conversations and observations to understand each student’s progress and provide the right support.

Families will receive updates throughout the year about their child’s growth and learning.

Your child’s home language is a strength. Encourage your child to continue speaking, reading and writing in the language they know best.

Using their first language helps students build strong communication skills and can support learning English and other languages.

Families can support language growth by:

• Talking with your child about their day.
• Reading books together in your home language.
• Sharing stories, traditions and experiences.
• Encouraging your child to use both their home language and English.

Every student’s language journey is different. Students receive English Learner services until they have developed the English skills needed to be successful in their classes.

The Minnesota Department of Education sets the guidelines for when students no longer need English Learner services. Students continue receiving support until they meet the required scores on the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 assessment in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

After a student transitions out of English Learner services, we continue to monitor their progress for two years to make sure they are successful and have the support they need.