Dual Language
Model Overview
Grades: K–8 Zones: 1–4
At Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), our Dual Language schools aim to develop academic content in English and Spanish for native and non-native speakers in both languages. The program builds cultural competence through a 50/50 model where students will receive half of their instruction in English and half in Spanish.
Curriculum Focuses
- Linguistic and cultural diversity
- Multilingual instruction
What to Expect
- Classes are taught 50% in English and 50% in Spanish.
- All students are eligible to earn the Indiana Seal of Biliteracy.
- Education and instruction is focused on helping students become bilingual and biliterate.
- Students begin the program in kindergarten or are given a language proficiency assessment to enter into later grades.
An In-Depth Look: Dual Language
The Dual Language educational model is built on three pillars: bilingualism and biliteracy, grade-level academic achievement, and cross-cultural competency. This program supports linguistic and cultural diversity by creating multilingual and multicultural spaces for students to learn. Students will develop academic language skills and content knowledge through multilingual instruction, as well as develop skills to be participants in an ever-developing global society.
Our Dual Language programs are additive in that they support the continual development of English in addition to the Spanish language. As a two-way immersion program, students with different native languages will learn together. The goal is not to transition to a dominant language, but to maintain and value the native language while developing a second with equal proficiency.
IPS Schools with Dual Language Programming
| Zone | Grade Band | School |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Pre-K–8 | Global Preparatory Academy at Riverside 44 |
| Zone 2 | Pre-K–8 | Global Preparatory Academy at Riverside 44 |
| Zone 3 | K–5 | Theodore Potter School 74 |
| Zone 3 | 6–8 | H. L. Harshman Middle School |
| Zone 4 | K–5 | Theodore Potter School 74 |
| Zone 4 | 6–8 | H. L. Harshman Middle School |
Note: All IPS high schools offer Spanish language coursework.