Middle School
DLI Continuation Program: Middle School
The Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Continuation Program at Community Middle School (CMS) will encompass 6th-8th grades. During these three years, DLI students will have the opportunity to engage in a bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural learning environment that supports their ongoing academic and linguistic development.
The DLI Continuation program will offer two DLI courses per language, with the remaining courses being conducted in English. This approach aims to provide opportunity for advanced language proficiency development while allowing access to grade-level content and ensuring a well-rounded education for our students.
The Continuation Program will begin with 6th grade in September of 2024.
For 6th grade, we plan to offer an enriched DLI curriculum that includes:
One advanced World Language class (Spanish or Chinese Literacy & Culture)
6th Grade Science in Spanish/Chinese
If you were unable to attend our Jan. 2024 DLI Continuation Program Webinar, please click here to view the slides from the presentation.
FAQ for the DLI Middle School Continuation Program
Do I need to fill out any forms or paperwork to enroll in the DLI Continuation program?
No forms are necessary! All current DLI students will be transferred to Community Middle School and enrolled in the DLI Continuation Program.
Will transportation be provided to Community Middle School if it is not my home school?
Yes, the district will provide transportation to CMS for all DLI students.
Why should our DLI student continue in the DLI Middle School Continuation Program?
We are exceptionally proud of our DLI K-5 program - and we are even prouder of our students! DLI students have demonstrated strong academic and linguistic growth throughout their elementary years. For DLI students to maintain their current proficiency level and reach advanced levels that persist into their adult years, it is recommended that DLI programs offer a K-12 pathway for continuous language study. Ideally, middle school DLI programs should have at least two subjects in the target language. In WW-P, we are excited to offer both an advanced World Language class and a Science class in Spanish/Chinese for 6th grade.
Why will DLI students take Science in Spanish/Chinese?
Our Science department seeks to promote hands-on, inquiry-based learning, encouraging students to actively engage in scientific investigations, problem-solving, and the application of scientific concepts to real-world scenarios. This style of learning lends itself well to our DLI program for many reasons. In science, students will be able to observe and engage with concrete products, models, and experiments in class, and this tangible experience will support students as they develop more abstract, higher-order thinking in the target language. Additionally, students in 6th Grade DLI Science will draw upon the mathematical and scientific language that they learned in our K-5 program, while further developing their literacy and language skills in our more humanities-centered advanced world language class.
As we discussed in the meeting, there are no standardized tests in 6th Grade Science for any WW-P middle school student, and there are no advanced/honors tracks of Science in middle school.
Will my child be able to take an additional World Language?
At this time, DLI students will take an advanced Spanish/Chinese course for World Language. We will explore options for exposure to an additional language in 7th or 8th grade. In high school, students can use their electives to study a new language.
Can a rising 6th grade student transfer into DLI?
Yes! If there is space in the grade-level cohort and the student demonstrates the appropriate language proficiency level to join the class, registered WW-P students may apply to join the DLI program. Contact Dr. Warren for more information (ashley.warren@wwprsd.org).
Can my child participate in the English Language Learning (ELL) program and DLI?
Yes. If your child does not yet speak/understand English proficiently, then your child can be in DLI and receive ELL services.
Will DLI students be eligible to participate in Honors & Accelerated Math?
Yes, all eligible 6th grade students are able to participate in H&A Math.
Where will the DLI students go to high school?
We are currently planning for the DLI Middle School transition, and we will continue to explore programming options for High School. At this point, we can assure families that DLI students can take advanced World Language classes (AP coursework) in High School.
What if my child is not planning to attend WW-P Middle School or is not continuing DLI?
Please let Dr. Warren (ashley.warren@wwprsd.org) know as soon as possible so that we can have an accurate account of rising 6th grade DLI students.
