Marshalltown Community School District families may request or choose a dual language (DL) program for their child upon enrollment in kindergarten. This program is housed at Woodbury Elementary and extends through Lenihan Intermediate, Miller Middle School, and even Marshalltown High School. It currently serves over 700 students.

For nearly twenty years, the district has supported the English/Spanish immersion program and continues to field requests to expand the program to another elementary school. Many have heard about the program, but not all understand the unique learning environment that the students experience that is only available in a handful of other public schools in Iowa. If you would like to know more about how to enroll your young child and/or the program in general, please call or email! Woodbury regularly hosts tours for families and visitors.

Here are a few of the most common questions and answers about our dual language program:

What is dual language?

Generally speaking, DL is a form of bilingual education in which students are taught literacy and content in two languages. DL programs foster bilingualism, biliteracy, enhanced awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity, and high levels of academic achievement through instruction in two languages. In Marshalltown, the two languages of instruction are Spanish and English.

The program is built around a variety of core tenants including, a minimum of seven years of bilingual instruction (K-6), a focus on the core academic curriculum, and separation of the two languages for instruction (no translation and no repeated lessons in the other language, but rather the use of bridging).

Where will my child go to school?

Currently, all DL students begin in kindergarten at Woodbury until fourth grade. Students must enroll no later than second grade. They also have programming for parts of the day in Spanish at Lenihan (math and science) and for one period of the day at Miller (language arts) and the high school (world language). The district preschool program at Woodbury is not required for kindergarten DL.

When does the program begin and end?

The program runs on the same school calendar as all the other schools, including daily start and end times. Kindergarten is the official start and students may take advanced classes at the high school in Spanish language, literature, composition, etc.

Who teaches in the program and who enrolls in it?

Highly qualified teachers teach in the DL program just like in the other schools and non-DL sites. Most of the DL teachers are bilingual in English and Spanish and keep their students all day, but do teach certain subjects in Spanish and others in English. Some teachers in the program can only speak English and they are partners to the bilingual teacher.

Why should I choose DL to enroll and maintain my child’s participation until graduation?

Students can test to receive a Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation which positions then well to earn the new State of Iowa credential for biliteracy after years of program participation. Studies have also shown that students enrolled have higher levels of achievement and an increased readiness for college, career, and life in a global world.

For questions about the dual literacy program at Marshalltown Community School District, please contact Dr. Lisa Stevenson at lstevenson@marshalltown.k12.ia.us.

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Dr. Lisa Stevenson is the Director of Instruction for the

Marshalltown Community School District (MCSD).