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6-8: Dual Language

District 65’s bilingual education opportunities for students expanded in the 2024-2025 school year with the start of our Dual Language program in middle school! The program has continued to grow:

  • 2025-2026 school year: Dual Language is available in 6th and 7th grade at Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies
  • 2026-2027 school year: Dual Language will be available in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade at Haven Middle School and in 6th grade at Nichols Middle School. 
  • Future school years: View the Dual Language Committee webpage to learn more about plans for the program's expansion.

Building upon the success of our Two Way Immersion (TWI) program, we’re excited to expand our bilingual programming and to provide a continued pathway for students to become bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural global citizens.

Learn more about our Dual Language program with this presentation! (February 2026)

About the Dual Language Program

The middle school dual language program has many similarities to TWI, including:

  • The model has a 50/50 language allocation between Spanish and English.
    • Taught in Spanish: Math, Science and Spanish Language Arts
    • Taught in English: Social Studies, PE, Specials, and English Language Arts 
  • The model meets state and federal requirements for English Learners (EL) and allows for participation by native English speakers after filling seats for ELs. 

Based on best practices

Based on research, we know that in 5-7 years and by the time a TWI student reaches middle school, they are bilingual or approaching bilingualism.  The focus of a dual language program shifts to supporting students in their content area fluency in both languages. 

This means the program no longer follows the linguistic composition of the classroom (50% Spanish and 50% English speaking) because this distinction is no longer meaningful for a classroom full of bilingual students.

Once an English Learning student becomes proficient in both languages, research has shown they perform at or above state standards in core academic subjects. Dual Language programs prepare all students to navigate the world and the workforce in two global languages. It also offers a pathway to receive the Seal of Biliteracy from the State of Illinois.