Next fall, Stratton Academy of the Arts will host a new program option for incoming kindergarten families: a French-English Dual Language classroom.
Unit 4, and Stratton in particular, has seen the number of French-speaking students rise in recent years. In response to this growth, the District has created this new option for both French and English speaking families as part of the Schools of Choice Process that honors the culture of our French-speaking students and provides a unique opportunity for English-speaking students to become bilingual.
The program will start with one kindergarten classroom next Fall, and will grow each year into a full “strand” at Stratton as students advance to the next grade level. The program will grow in concert with the two existing general education “strands” at Stratton, creating a diverse and rich school climate centered around the arts.
The dual language two-way immersion (TWI) instructional model integrates native French speakers with native English speakers for instruction in and through two languages: English and French. The faculty and staff at Stratton are committed to not only creating unique opportunities in the arts for all students, but also fostering a linguistically responsive learning environment that respects and embraces languages and cultures.
In a 50/50 dual language setting, students learn two languages as they learn the core academics. Dual language classrooms will have equal numbers of English speakers and French speakers, and the students will be together for all or most of the school day. Instruction in French and in English will be divided evenly, and each language is used for a set period of time. The students themselves are models for their respective home languages and cultures.
Spanish Dual Language is available at International Prep Academy and has been since 2014.
Through a French-English dual language program, students are unified through two languages and two cultures. The goals of the program are for students to become:
* Bilingual – speak in two languages
* Bicultural – embrace and navigate two cultures
* Biliterate – read and write in two languages
Families may indicate the program as one of their choices in the kindergarten registration process at the Family Information Center. Families are encouraged to register prior to the end of the registration period on March 31.
What you need to know about the kindergarten school of choice process.