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What is a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program?

A Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program is an educational approach that aims to develop bilingualism and biliteracy in students by teaching them in two languages. Students receive instruction in both Spanish and English. The goal is for students to become proficient in both languages while mastering academic content.

What are the benefits of Dual Language Immersion programs?

DLI programs offer several benefits, including:

  • Bilingual/Biliterate Proficiency: Students become proficient in both their native and target languages.

  • Academic Achievement: Research suggests that DLI students often perform as well as or better than their peers in monolingual programs on standardized tests over time.

  • Cultural Competence: DLI programs expose students to different cultures and promote cultural competence.

  • Cognitive Benefits: Learning in two languages can enhance cognitive skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and multitasking.

dual language program logo

How does Dual Language Immersion work in Durham Public Schools?

The DLI program starts in Kindergarten and continues throughout elementary school, with an option to enroll in a DLI middle school program at Brogden Middle School. In the early years, a significant portion of instruction is conducted in the target language (Spanish), gradually increasing until it reaches a balanced or 50/50 model, where half of the instruction is in each language. Teachers are often bilingual and use immersion, dual-language instruction, and language separation techniques to facilitate learning. Our model follows a two-way language immersion approach, meaning 50% of the students' first language is Spanish and 50% of the student's first language is English. 

The DLI program starts with a 90-10 split between Spanish and English instruction. Everything in blue represents instruction in Spanish, and everything in green represents instruction in English. Take a look at the following graph:

Pillars of dual language graphic

graphic

Where are DLI Programs offered?

Five elementary schools operate as regional magnet application programs:

*Not sure which region you're in? Click here and enter your address to find out.

Holt Elementary School logo

Northern

Holt Elementary School

Entry grade: Kindergarten

Grades: K - 1st (2025-2026)

Site coordinator: Maria Fernanda Larrea (Email Maria Fernanda Larrea )

Sibling priority: Yes

Transportation: Northern Region only

Visit the DLI website for Holt!

Lyons Farm Elementary School logo

Southeast

Lyons Farm Elementary School

Entry grade: Kindergarten

Grades: K - 1st (2025-2026)

Site coordinator: Maria Fernanda Larrea (Email Maria Fernanda Larrea)

Sibling priority: Yes

Transportation: Southeast Region only

Visit the DLI website for Lyons Farm!

Club Boulevard Elementary School logo

Central

Club Boulevard Elementary School

Entry grade: Kindergarten

Grades: K - 1st (2025-2026)

Site coordinator: Nelida Lopez Fernandez (Email Nelida Lopez Fernandez )

Sibling priority: Yes

Transportation: Central Region only

Visit the DLI website for Club Boulevard!

Merrick-Moore Elementary School logo

Eastern

Merrick-Moore Elementary School

Entry grade: Kindergarten

Grades: K - 1st (2025-2026)

Site coordinator: Nelida Lopez Fernandez (Email Nelida Lopez Fernandez )

Sibling priority: Yes

Transportation: Eastern Region only

Visit the DLI website for Merrick-Moore! (coming soon)

Merrick-Moore Elementary School logo

Southwest

Southwest Elementary School

Entry grade: Kindergarten (If spots are available, placement will be determined for 1st - 5th grade based on proficiency assessments).

Grades: K - 5th

Site coordinator: Africa Dutor (Email Africa Dutor)

Sibling priority: Yes

Transportation: Southwest Region only

Visit the DLI website for Southwest!

* Southwest has one Magnet class for Regional students and one class for students zoned to Southwest.

One middle school operates DLI magnet application programs:

DLI Middle School

Brogden Middle School

Lottery zones: District - wide

Procedure for those in attendance zone: No lottery required to enroll in school. A lottery must be entered for placement in the DLI cohort group. Students must either have attended a DLI program in Spanish or show reading, writing, speaking, and listening proficiency in Spanish at grade level.

Grades: Only 6th (2025 - 2026)

Site coordinator: Taylor Holthouse (Email Taylor Holthouse)

Sibling priority: Multiples only

Transportation: District - wide

Visit the DLI website for Brogden!

Brogden Middle School logo

Two schools operate as community lottery application programs:

Lakewood

Lakewood Elementary School

Entry grade: Kindergarten (If spots are available, placement will be determined for 1st - 5th grade based on proficiency assessments)

Grades: K - 5th

Site coordinator: Heidi Miles (Email Heidi Miles)

Sibling priority: Yes

Transportation: School zone only

Visit the DLI website for Lakewood!

Lakewood Elementary School logo

Bethesda

Bethesda Elementary School

Entry grade: Kindergarten (If spots are available, placement will be determined for 1st - 5th grade based on proficiency assessments)

Grades: K - 5th

Site coordinator: Karla Sauma (Email Karla Sauma)

Sibling priority: Yes

Transportation: School zone only

Visit the DLI website for Bethesda! (coming soon)

Bethesda Elementary School logo

How are community lottery DLI programs different from regional magnet DLI programs?

Component

Community Lottery DLI Program

Regional Magnet DLI Program

Application

  • Families apply to the DLI program at the school (Bethesda or Lakewood).

  • Students must live in the attendance zone for the respective school.

  • Families apply to the DLI program in January through the lottery application process.

  • Students must live in the region for the corresponding program.

Entry Point

  • Any student may enter the program in Kindergarten as space is available.

  • Students entering DLI in grades 1-5 must take and pass a Spanish proficiency test for the grade level of entry.

  • Only in Kindergarten, students may enter the program through the magnet lottery

  • After Kindergarten if there is space in the program students who want to apply must meet the following criteria:

  • Live in the school attendance zone

  • Be a rising 1st-5th grader

  • Pass a Spanish proficiency test

Exit from DLI

  • Students are expected to remain in the DLI program until the end of their 5th-grade year.

  • In rare cases, families who have concerns about remaining in the DLI program will meet with school administrators & teachers to determine a plan on how to best support that student going forward before any decision is made about removing the student.

Change in Attendance Zone

  • If a family moves from the school attendance zone, the family would need to apply for a hardship transfer through the Office of Student Assignment to remain in the DLI program with approval of the district DLI coordinator.

  • If a family moves from the regional attendance zone, the family would need to apply for a hardship transfer through the Office of Student Assignment to remain in the DLI program with approval of the district DLI coordinator.

Victor Hiraldo headshot

Victor Hiraldo

Dual Language & Global Languages District Coordinator

Email Victor Hiraldo

919-560-0000 ext.21230

C. 984-227-1573