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)
During the 2020-2021 school year due to COVID-19, UCPS is offering a DLI Virtual Spanish Academy for students already enrolled in the Dual Language Immersion program who would like to learn in a virtual setting. Students from all Spanish immersion schools are enrolled in the virtual academy. Core content is split between Spanish and English. English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies are taught in English while Spanish Language Arts and Math are taught in 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.
