Dual Language Immersion Programs - Celebrating Over Three Decades of Excellence

FCPS Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs begin in Kindergarten or first grade. Students learn math, science, and health in another language (French, German, Japanese, Korean or Spanish).

Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Programs:

Dual Language Immersion (DLI) is an approach to language learning that utilizes English and a partner language. Students learn academic content in either language. The goals of DLI programs are to:

  • build bilingualism and biliteracy,
  • develop intercultural/global competence,
  • set high academic expectations for all students.

DLI programs are beneficial for all students enrolled. Longitudinal research studies show higher academic outcomes for all DLI students. This includes " English learners, native English speakers, Latinos, Caucasian Americans, Asian Americans, African Americans, students of low-income backgrounds, students identified as qualifying for Title 1, and students with special education needs of all categories of exceptionality." (Collier, V. P., & Thomas, W. P. (2017). Why Dual Language Schooling. Albuquerque: Dual Language Education of New Mexico/Fuente Press)

In FCPS, students spend half of their day learning math, science and health in French, German, Japanese, Korean, or Spanish. The other half of the day, students are learning in English focusing on English language arts and social studies. Partner language and intercultural learning are integrated within each of the content areas. Students learn both languages through interesting and meaningful activities. DLI teachers use many manipulatives and hands-on activities to teach content area and language skills. All DLI programs follow the FCPS Program of Studies at each grade level. All DLI teachers are members of the school's grade-level teams.

One-Way Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program Model

The One-way (or World Language) DLI program model is used when DLI classes are predominantly filled with learners of the partner language. FCPS offers the One-way DLI program in French, German, Japanese, and Spanish at seven schools. One-way programs begin in kindergarten or first grade. FCPS uses a lottery to accept students for this program.

Two-Way Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program Model:

The Two-way DLI program is used when DLI classes balance speakers and learners of the partner language. Both student populations serve as peer language models to each other. This model mutually benefits both student population. Two-way DLI programs are offered in Korean and Spanish at ten schools. All Two-way programs begin in kindergarten. FCPS uses a lottery to accept students for this program.

Benefits of Being Bilingual

Many studies show the advantages of bilingualism and biliteracy. Benefits range from cognitive to economic to socio-cultural. The Center for Applied Linguistics notes these benefits of early language learning.

“Learning a second language:

  • Has a positive effect on intellectual growth
  • Enriches a child's mental development
  • Promotes flexible thinking 
  • Develops greater sensitivity to language and a better ear for listening
  • Improves a child's understanding of his/her native language
  • Gives a child the ability to communicate with people s/he would otherwise not have the chance to know
  • Opens the door to other cultures
  • Helps children understand and appreciate people from other countries
  • Gives a student a head start in language requirements for college
  • Increases job opportunities

Enrollment Information

FCPS uses a lottery to accept students into kindergarten and grade 1 for this program. School Board Regulation 3312 governs the lottery process. Parents may attend informational meetings before registering for the lottery. All meetings include information for both One-way and Two-way DLI programs.

DLI program entry beyond the lottery process is granted at the principal’s discretion. Parents should contact the DLI school directly. School Board Regulation 3312 governs the process.

Schools

School-based lottery schools are only open to residents who live within the boundaries of these schools. If this is your base school and you are interested in applying, please contact the school directly.

County-wide lottery schools are open to all Fairfax County residents through a lottery process.

Transportation will not be provided for students residing outside the DLI school’s attendance area.

School Language and Grade Levels Type of Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program Middle School Transition Programs
Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences
6111 Knollwood Dr.
Falls Church, VA 22041
(703) 575-6800

Spanish

K-2

Two-Way Immersion

(County-wide lottery placement)

Glasgow Middle School
101 Fairfax Pkwy.
Alexandria, VA 22312
(703) 813-8700
Bailey's Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences
6245 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22044
(703) 503-2700

Spanish

3-5

Two-Way Immersion

(Continuation from Bailey’s Primary, County-wide placement)

Glasgow Middle School
101 Fairfax Pkwy.
Alexandria, VA 22312
(703) 813-8700
Braddock Elementary
7825 Heritage Dr.
Annandale, VA 22003
703-914-7300

Spanish

K-5

Two-Way Immersion

(School-based lottery placement)

Poe Middle School
7000 Cindy Ln
Annandale, VA 22003
703-813-3800

 

Fox Mill Elementary
2601 Viking Dr.
Herndon, VA 20171
(703) 262-2700

Japanese

1-6

One-Way (World Language)  Immersion

(County-wide lottery placement)

Rachel Carson Middle School
13618 McLearen Rd.
Herndon, VA 20171
(703) 925-3600
Fort Hunt Elementary
8832 Linton Ln.
Alexandria, VA 22308
(703) 619-2600

Spanish

K-6

One-Way (World Language)  Immersion

(County-wide lottery placement)

Sandburg Middle School
8428 Fort Hunt Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22308
(703) 799-6100
Great Falls Elementary
701 Walker Rd.
Great Falls, VA 22066
(703) 757-2100

Japanese

1-6

One-Way (World Language) Immersion

(County-wide lottery placement)

Cooper Middle School
977 Balls Hill Rd.
McLean, VA 22101
(703) 442-5800

Groveton Elementary
6900 Harrison Ln.
Alexandria, VA 22306
703-718-8000

Spanish

K-6

Two-Way Immersion

(School-based lottery placement)

Sandburg Middle School
8428 Fort Hunt Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22308
(703) 799-6100
Herndon Elementary
630 Dranesville Rd.
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 326-3100

Spanish: K-6

Two-Way Immersion (Spanish)

(School-based lottery placement)

Herndon Middle School
901 Locust St.
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 904-4800
Kent Gardens Elementary
1717 Melbourne Dr.
McLean, VA 22101
(703) 394-5600

French

1-6

One-Way (World Language) Immersion

(County-wide lottery placement)

Longfellow Middle School
2000 Westmoreland St.
Falls Church, VA 22043
(703) 533-2600
Lake Anne Elementary
11510 North Shore Dr.
Reston, VA 20190
(703) 326-3500

Spanish

K-6

Two-Way Immersion

(County-wide lottery placement)

Hughes Middle School
11401 Ridge Heights Rd.
Reston, VA 20191
(703) 715-3600
Laurel Ridge Elementary
10110 Commonwealth Blvd.
Fairfax, VA 22032
(703) 426-3700

Spanish

K-6

One-Way (World Language) Immersion

(County-wide lottery placement)

Robinson Secondary School
5035 Sideburn Rd.
Fairfax, VA 22032
(703) 426-2100
London Towne Elementary
6100 Stone Rd.
Centreville, VA 22120
(703) 227-5400

Spanish

K-6

Two-Way Immersion

(County-wide lottery placement)

Stone Middle School
5500 Sully Park Dr.
Centreville, VA 20120
(703) 631-5500
Orange Hunt Elementary
6820 Sydenstricker Rd.
Springfield, VA 22152
(703) 913-6800

German

1-6

One-Way (World Language) Immersion

(County-wide lottery placement)

Irving Middle School
8100 Old Keene Mill Rd.
Springfield, VA 22152
(703) 912-4500
Powell Elementary
13340 Leland Rd.
Centreville, VA 20120
571-522-6000

Korean

K-6

Two-Way Immersion

(County-wide lottery placement)

Liberty Middle School
6801 Union Mill Rd
Clifton, VA 20124
703-988-8100

 

Ravensworth Elementary
5411 Nutting Dr.
Springfield, VA 22151
(703) 426-3600

Spanish

1-6

One-Way (World Language) Immersion

(County-wide lottery placement)

Lake Braddock Secondary School
9200 Burke Lake Rd.
Burke, VA 22015
(703) 426-1000

Rose Hill Elementary
6301 Rose Hill Dr.
Alexandria, VA 22310
(703) 313-4200

Spanish

K-6

Two-Way Immersion

(County-wide lottery placement)

Hayfield Secondary School
7360 Telegraph Road
Alexandria, VA 22315
(703) 924-7400

And

Twain Middle School
4700 Franconia Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22310
(703) 313-3700

Washington Mill Elementary
9100 Cherrytree Dr.
Alexandria, VA 22309
703-619-2500

Spanish

K-6

Two-Way Immersion

(School-based lottery placement)

Whitman Middle School
8515 Old Mt Vernon Rd
Alexandria, VA 22309
703-619-3100

Middle School Immersion Transition Program

FCPS provides a middle school Immersion transition program for all students who have completed the elementary DLI program. Consult the FCPS Middle School Immersion Transition program website for additional information. Continued placement into the feeder middle school Immersion transition program of the elementary school attended is guaranteed.

High School Language Continuation

The immersion program ends after eighth grade and students return to their base high school to continue their language study.  If your base school does not offer the partner language, you may request a high school curricular student transfer for your child to continue their language study at the school closest to your home address open to transfers.  Please visit the FCPS Student Transfer website for details.

Research on Dual Language Immersion Education