Dual Language Immersion

Current SPPS Dual Language Immersion (DLI) students:

• Upon completion of 5th grade at an SPPS DLI school (Adams, Riverview, Wellstone or Jie Ming), students will be automatically enrolled to continue the DLI pathway at Highland Park Middle School.

• Thinking about leaving the DLI Pathway? Please note that Highland Park Middle School cannot process transfers out of the DLI program into our English-track community school. To opt out, families must contact the SPPS Student Placement Center directly during the enrollment application period beginning in mid-January.

Prospective Dual Language Immersion (DLI) students:

• To join a Secondary DLI program, students must have intermediate to advanced skills in Spanish or Mandarin (this program is not designed for beginners). Acceptance is based on program availability and the successful completion of a language proficiency exam. To take the next steps, please contact the SPPS Student Placement Center.

• Higher Academic Performance: Research shows that bilingualism has been linked to higher academic outcomes. Language learning strategies boost cognitive and communication abilities which learners can apply across content areas.
• Deeper Cultural Understanding: Dual Language Immersion learning is not only about learning a language. It also involves exposure to and an understanding of different cultures, traditions, and perspectives. 
• Enhanced Interpersonal Conversation Skills: Having experience communicating in another language and within a variety of cultures helps make meaningful connections with a diverse range of people. Students are not only communicating through words, but also tend to become more in tune with body language and non-verbal communication while learning a new language. 
• Increased Job Opportunities: Being multilingual in today's global and interconnected world is very valuable. In addition to opening doors to more career paths, multilingual employees can earn 5-20% more per hour than monolingual peers. 
• Improved First Language Skills: Bilingualism does NOT hinder language development- it improves it! Research shows that multilingual students often have stronger verbal reasoning and reading comprehension skills than their monolingual peers.  
• Better Experiences with Travel & Living Abroad: Bilingualism involves being more open to new experiences outside of your comfort zone, leading to quicker adaptation in different surroundings and new situations. 

*Source: https://www.minnesotabilingualseals.com/

Upon completing 8th grade, our Spanish and Chinese dual language immersion (DLI) students are automatically enrolled at Highland Park Senior High where the DLI pathway continues through 12th grade. Spanish and Chinese DLI students can graduate with Minnesota Department of Education Bilingual and Multilingual Seals or World Language Proficiency Certificates that accompany their diploma. Highland Park Senior High is one of few high schools that offer these endorsements that can also accompany an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. 

Learn more about bilingual seal awards on the SPPS Immersion, Indigenous and World Language website or on the Minnesota Bilingual Seals website.