DLI Updates

  •  For additional information about the 2021 Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Kindergarten lottery, please visit the Admission Guidelines page.

    To read the latest DLI Parent Newsletter, please click here. This is also shared with principals and teachers who send it out to parents.

  • Overview of Dual Language Immersion in Union County Public Schools

    Union County Public Schools has language immersion programs in 20 schools and two languages, in grades kindergarten through 8th grade. Students enter the programs through a lottery conducted during the kindergarten registration process. Preferences for the lottery are based on the student's home address and home school assignment. Students who have older siblings in a language immersion program are guaranteed a seat in the immersion program at the same school.

    Schools with One-Way Mandarin Immersion Programs (all core content is taught in Mandarin; Engilsh is introduced in kindergarten):

    • Kensington Elementary (pause in Kindergarten lottery for 2021-2022*)
    • Marvin Elementary (pause in Kindergarten lottery for 2021-2022*)

    Schools with One-Way Spanish Immersion Programs (all core content is taught in Spanish; English is introduced in 2nd grade):

    • Antioch Elementary
    • Poplin Elementary
    • Shiloh Valley Primary
    • Shiloh Valley Elementary
    • Unionville Elementary
    • Weddington Elementary
    • Western Union Elementary

    Schools with Two-Way Spanish Immersion Programs (core content is split between Spanish and English; English is introduced in K, 1st, or 2nd grade):

    • East Elementary (English introduced in 1st grade)
    • Marshville Elementary (English introduced in K)
    • Porter Ridge Elementary (English introduced in 2nd grade)
    • Walter Bickett Elementary (English introduced in 1st grade)
    • Wingate Elementary (English introduced in 2nd grade)

    Middle schools with Immersion Continuation Programs (immersion offered as a year-long elective):

    • Marvin Ridge Middle (Mandarin)
    • Parkwood Middle (Spanish)
    • Piedmont Middle (Spanish)
    • Porter Ridge Middle (Spanish)
    • Sun Valley Middle (Spanish)
    • Weddington Middle (Spanish)

    High schools with DLI students continuing into World Language:

    • Marvin Ridge High (Mandarin)
    • Sun Valley High (Spanish)

    *There is a pause in the kindergarten lottery for the 2021-2022 school year. This was approved by the BOE on March 2, 2021. This pause is due to staffing constraints and the current travel ban in place for those coming to the US from China. Students who are currently in Mandarin immersion will not be affected by the pause. The goal is to resume immersion during the 2022-2023 school year with a lottery for both kindergarten and 1st grade. Rising kindergarteners with siblings currently in immersion on a transfer will be given a transfer to that same school if their intent is to join the immersion class in 2022-2023. These rising kindergarteners should apply for a new transfer when the window opens on June 1, 2021.

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  • For more information about the DLI models in UCPS, visit the links below.

    Partnerships

    UCPS partners with Participate to provide support for Dual Language/Immersion. Participate partners with schools and districts to provide dual language curriculum resources, teacher training, overseas hiring and support services. For 30 years, educators have used Participate’s professional development and curriculum, language acquisition and cultural exchange teacher programs to create engaging learning environments that empower teachers and inspire students to create impact on a global scale. Participate is headquartered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

     

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