Dual Language Program

DUAL IMMERSION IN GGUSD

Give your child the lifelong gift of bilingualism! GGUSD’s high-quality Spanish and Vietnamese Dual Language Immersion programs help students become bilingual, biliterate, and academically successful. Beginning in TK or kindergarten, students learn core academic subjects while developing the ability to read, write, and communicate confidently in another language.

Students commit to the program through sixth grade and may continue along the Dual Language pathway through intermediate and high school. Families interested in enrolling for the 2027–2028 school year must attend an upcoming Dual Language Orientation Meeting. Click here to view orientation dates.

Spanish

GGUSD boasts two full Spanish Dual Immersion Schools for transitional kindergarten through sixth grade students at Monroe Elementary Language Academy and for preschool through sixth grade at Russell Elementary Language Academy. New in the 2025-2026 school year, GGUSD launched its third Spanish Dual Immersion Program at Simmons Elementary beginning transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students. The Spanish program follows a 90/10 model where students begin learning in Spanish 90% of the time and in English 10%. By the end of sixth grade, they are learning in both languages 50 percent of the time. Students who successfully complete the program in elementary school have the opportunity to continue in the Spanish Dual Immersion Pathway at Fitz Intermediate School and Los Amigos High School.

Vietnamese

Murdy Elementary School offers Vietnamese Dual Immersion beginning in transitional kindergarten, as well as a traditional English instruction program. Students who successfully complete the program in elementary school have the opportunity to continue in the Vietnamese Pathway at McGarvin Intermediate School.

What does the research show?

Dual language students outperform their peers in English-only programs. Students in dual immersion programs have high levels of self-esteem, high academic competence and motivation. Students are better prepared for the global job market where a second language gives them a competitive edge!

How does the program work?

In a dual language immersion program, students are taught the same curriculum as their peers in English-only schools and are expected to meet the same state standards as all other students in the district. Students may only begin the Spanish and Vietnamese dual language programs in transitional kindergarten or kindergarten and commit to remaining in the program through sixth grade. The Spanish program follows a 90:10 model, which refers to the language of instruction. In TK/K, 90% of instruction is in Spanish. As students progress through the grade levels, English instruction gradually increases until the program reaches a 50:50 model. The Vietnamese program follows a 50:50 model, with 50% of the instructional day in English and 50% in Vietnamese. At Heritage Computer Science Academy, technology is infused into the curriculum at every grade level across content areas.

What are the requirements?

Interested families need to attend a dual language orientation at their school of choice (Monroe, Russell, Murdy, Heritage, Simmons). Applications to the program are completed after the orientation. If accepted, this becomes your new permanent school. Students and parents do NOT have to be bilingual to be successful in the program. This program is designed for three types of students:

English Learners whose home language is Spanish or Vietnamese
Bilingual students who speak Spanish and English or English and Vietnamese
English proficient students
Students with an interest in technology (Applies to Heritage Elementary only)