Robbinsdale Area Schools

Language Immersion Options

Robbinsdale Area Schools has been a pioneer in offering dual language immersion learning opportunities to students for more than 30 years.  Our district was the second district in Minnesota to offer the opportunity for students to be immersed in a second language.  Since welcoming our first immersion kindergarten class in 1986, Robbinsdale Area Schools has remained a leader in language immersion education, offering comprehensive program to support students' academic and language development from Kindergarten through 12th Grade.  In our programs, students learn the same rigorous Robbinsdale Area Schools curriculum while gaining advanced levels of proficiency in both Spanish and English.
 

Contact

Kim Henke
Coordinator for Dual Language Immersion Programs
Kimberly_Henke@rdale.org

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Goals

  • Become bilingual and biliterate, developing high levels of proficiency in two languages.
  • Perform at or above grade level in academic areas in both languages.
  • Demonstrate positive cross-cultural attitudes and behaviors.
     

Spanish Immersion Program

The Robbinsdale Area Schools One-Way Spanish Immersion Program is one of the oldest language immersion programs in the state of Minnesota. 

  • Open to all students via application and lottery at Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion Elementary
  • School-wide program
  • Focus on acquisition of Spanish as a second language
  • District resident students receive transportation

Spanish Immersion elementary students attend Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion (RSI) with one-way 90/10 immersion program in which students are immersed the majority of their day in Spanish. Students progressively receive more instruction in English beginning in 2nd Grade.

After RSI, students attend Plymouth Middle School to continue their Spanish instruction. Students take three classes per day in Spanish at each grade level: Science, Social Studies and Spanish Language Arts.

In high school, students take one course per day in Spanish at each grade level. Armstrong High School offers Advanced Placement courses in Spanish; Cooper High School offers International Baccalaureate Immersion courses. Upon graduation, students can qualify for one of the Minnesota Bilingual Seals available from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).

Spanish Dual Language Program

Our Two-Way Spanish Dual-Language Program is open to students at Northport Elementary. In this program, students from different language backgrounds learn together while instruction is systematically delivered in two languages. Students read, write, listen and speak in both languages becoming bilingual, biliterate and bicultural while working toward grade level academic achievement. Dual language offers an opportunity for students to add another language while at the optimal age for language learning.

  • Families complete a program preference form and will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis
  • Classrooms balanced between native speakers of English and native Speakers of Spanish
    • students support each other as both models and learners of language
  • Two Spanish Dual Language classrooms per grade level (Kindergarten 2019-2020 school year; Kindergarten and 1st grade 2020-2021 school year; additional grades will be added each school year with a full K-5th grade program by the 2024-2025 school year)
  • Transportation provided to students who reside within the Northport attendance area

Students who join the program will see incredible benefits throughout their life. Knowing two languages allows for greater success in university language classes and employment opportunities. Additionally, language skills open the door to other countries, cultures and people.

Frequently Asked Questions