Brandywine School District
16 Great Schools. 1 Strong Community.
Spanish Language Immersion
Dual Language Immersion K-12 Information Session
January 6, 2026 - 6:00pm
Join us to learn more about Brandywine Dual Language Immersion Programming and availability!
We will share
- Information about Spanish Immersion and how it works.
- Explore academic/social benefits of bilingualism.
- Program availability from Kindergarten to grade 12.
- Students support as they develop two languages.
The Brandywine School District is proud to offer a comprehensive Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program that prepares students to be bilingual, biliterate, and culturally competent. Through this program, students gain academic content knowledge while developing fluency in both English and Spanish—laying the foundation for global citizenship and future career opportunities.
Elementary School (Grades K–5)
In elementary school, students in our immersion program receive instruction in both English and Spanish. Typically, students spend approximately 50% of the day in Spanish and 50% in English, learning core academic content—such as math and science—in both languages.
Program Goals:
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Develop strong skills in both English and Spanish
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Achieve academic success across all subject areas
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Build cross-cultural awareness and appreciation
Instructional Model:
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Co-taught by two teachers: one English-speaking and one partner-language teacher
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Students begin the program in kindergarten and continue through fifth grade
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
In middle school, immersion students continue to deepen their language proficiency while applying it to more complex academic tasks. Students learn in Spanish during Spanish Language Arts and Social Studies.
Program Focus:
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Expand academic vocabulary and literacy in Spanish
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Strengthen cultural understanding and critical thinking
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Prepare for high school coursework and AP-level language classes
High School (Grades 9–12)
At the high school level, students build on their immersion foundation through advanced language and content courses. The program supports students in earning the Delaware Certificate of Multiliteracy and qualifying for the Seal of Biliteracy on their diploma.
Course Offerings May Include:
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Advanced language and literature in Spanish
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AP Language and Culture courses
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Dual enrollment opportunities in world languages
Program Outcomes:
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Bilingual and biliterate graduates
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Enhanced college and career readiness
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Recognition of language proficiency on transcripts and diplomas
What Does Curriculum Look Like in a DLI Program?
Students in our immersion classrooms learn the same rigorous academic content as their peers in traditional classrooms. The key difference is how they receive that instruction. In a DLI setting:
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Core subjects like math, science, and social studies are taught in both English and the partner language.
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Language learning is integrated into daily instruction, not taught in isolation.
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Instruction is aligned with Delaware state standards, WIDA English Language Development Standards, and ACTFL language proficiency guidelines.
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Students develop skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both languages, beginning in kindergarten and continuing through high school.
Instructional Approach
Our immersion teachers use proven strategies to support students’ content mastery and language development at the same time. These include:
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Clear content and language objectives in every lesson
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Scaffolded instruction using visuals, gestures, and modeling
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Encouraging student talk and academic language in both languages
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Frequent opportunities for collaboration and interaction
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Differentiation based on each student’s language proficiency level
Using STAMP to Monitor Language Proficiency
Brandywine School District uses the STAMP (Standards-Based Measurement of Proficiency) assessment to measure students’ proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the target language. STAMP is administered at various points during a student’s language learning pathway—typically at the end of key courses or program milestones. The data helps us:
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Monitor individual and group progress over time,
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Guide instruction and curriculum planning, and
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Determine eligibility for the Certificate of Multiliteracy.
STAMP results give a clear picture of what students can do with the language in real-world tasks and support our commitment to proficiency-based teaching.
How to earn the Delaware Certificate of Multiliteracy
The Certificate of Multiliteracy recognizes students who demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and at least one additional language. This distinction affirms a student’s ability to communicate effectively across languages—a valuable skill in today’s global workforce and multicultural society.
To earn the certificate, students must meet proficiency benchmarks in all four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. These are typically measured using the STAMP assessment or another approved language proficiency test. Recipients are honored at the end of the school year and receive an official certificate and a notation on their academic record.
The certificate is open to students studying world languages in school as well as heritage speakers who have developed language skills outside of the classroom. Visit the Certificate of Multiliteracy page for more information.
Questions? Contact the school administrator, school counselor, or the administrator of Multilingual leaners, Dr. Sugely Solano.
Spanish Immersion Program Contacts
BSD Immersion Bulletins/Newsletters
Stay informed by exploring our previous Immersion Program bulletins. Each issue includes important updates, program highlights, family resources, and upcoming events.
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October Special edition – View PDF
- August 2025 Fall Bulletin – View PDF
- June 2025 Summer Bulletin – View PDF
- May 2025 Spring Bulletin – View PDF
Check back regularly as we continue to add new editions!