Spanish-Dual Language

Overview

The Puyallup School District is one of a few districts in Washington state to offer an elementary dual language program, bringing together Spanish and English speakers in one classroom.

Where is the Program Offered?

The program is offered at Karshner and Dessie Evans Elementary for grade K-6 students.

Starting the 2025-26 school year, the program will be offered to 7th grade students at Aylen Junior High.

Spanish-Dual Language Information

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Spanish-Dual Language Education Information Sessions for 2026-27 School Year

Hosting three informational sessions for families interested in the PSD Spanish-Dual Language Program for students in grades K-8 for the 2026-27 school year.

Ready to Apply?

2025-26 SPanish-Dual Language Program Application

Current PSD Dual Language Students do not need to reapply.

Program Benefits

English-speaking students have the chance to acquire a new language in the early years when the brain is most receptive to new language acquisition.

Most become highly proficient in the second language, typically far better than those who begin to learn a new language in high school or later in life. English-speakers also gain socially by making friendships across cultural, ethnic, and linguistic boundaries.

Spanish-speaking students have the chance to learn academically in their native language.

They can maintain their first language while learning a second as young students, when language acquisition is most effective. The academic content and skills learned in Spanish do not need to be retaught in English. As students progress through the grades they are also increasing their reading and writing in English.

Student Testimonies

Check out why some of our current Spanish-Dual Language Students enjoy learning in two languages, how it enhances their education, and has helped them in and out of the classroom.

Language Balance in the Classroom

To maintain an environment of educational and linguistic equity and to promote interactions between native speakers of both languages, the Dual Language Program seeks a classroom balance with 50% students whose primary language is English and 50% whose primary language is Spanish.

This may also look like 30% primary English speakers, 30% primarily Spanish speakers and 30% Heritage or bilingual speakers.

90/10 Dual Language Education Model

There are different models for dual language education.

A two-way (bilingual) model uses a balance of two languages, in this case, native English speakers and native Spanish speakers.

During kindergarten, teachers provide 90% of instruction in Spanish in order to facilitate early Spanish acquisition. In grades 1-6, English instruction is gradually increased across subject areas so that language use is split evenly in higher grades.

Program Acceptance and Criteria Information

Kindergarten

Students who live:

in the Karshner or Dessie F. Evans Elementary Enrollment Boundaries.
outside the Karshner or Dessie F. Evans Elementary Enrollment Boundaries, but attend different school in the Puyallup School District or a different school in another school district that can provide their own transportation.
Acceptance is on a first-come, first-serve basis and contingent upon completed district enrollment; only students who have completed their enrollment & uploaded all necessary documents will be considered for the program.
Priority is given first to students whose home school is Karshner or Dessie F. Evans, then to other in-district students, and finally to out-of-district students.
- If your home school is not Karshner, Dessie Evans or Aylen Junior High but you reside in-district, simply complete your neighborhood school registration through the Online Enrollment Center-- no transfer request is needed up front. If your student is accepted into the Dual Language Program, we will process the in-district transfer for you.
- Please note that submitting an in-district transfer request solely for the Dual Language Program consideration does not guarantee an acceptance into the program.
If you reside outside the district, please complete the online enrollment process. You must complete all required documentation including the Home Language Survey to be considered for the program. If your student is accepted, you'll be asked to fill out an out-of-district waiver. This step is not necessary until accepted to the program but can be completed before.
Students who have siblings already enrolled in the program will receive priority.
Incomplete online enrollment documentation will delay your student's application. Complete all enrollment documentation to be considered for the dual language program.

Grades 1-6

Entry after the start of the kindergarten year is based on space availability and the following points:

Heritage Spanish speaking students and multilingual learners identified on the Washington State Home Language Survey and determined eligible for English language development services may enter the DL program at any time, space permitting.
Students that have participated in Dual Language Spanish Education.
Students whose primary language is English may only begin the program in kindergarten. This gives them adequate time to become bilingual and biliterate in both Spanish and English.
If you're new to the district, please complete your enrollment before we can review your student's application; applications with incomplete enrollment, including all documentation will be delayed or not considered.

Grades 7-8

Entry after the start of the kindergarten year is based on space availability and the following points:

Heritage Spanish speaking students and multilingual learners identified on the Washington State Home Language Survey and determined eligible for English language development services may enter the DL program at any time, space permitting.
Students that have participated in Dual Language Spanish Education.
Students whose primary language is English may only begin the program in kindergarten. This gives them adequate time to become bilingual and biliterate in both Spanish and English.
If you're new to the district, please complete your enrollment before we can review your student's application; applications with incomplete enrollment, including all documentation will be delayed or not considered.

For Families

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) -Resources for dual language education from the state.
Literacy Center Education Network - Spanish interactive literacy website for student practice.
Literacy Center Education Network - English interactive literacy website for student practice.
Unite for Literacy - Access to books in many languages to read together or hear aloud.

Dual Language Research

Bilingualism at an early age - A research article that provides research-based arguments for the cognitive benefits of bilingual education at an early age.
The Bilingual Brain - Research the describes the benefits biilngualism has on the brain extending from early childhood to old age.
The Multiple Benefits of Dual Language - A research article written by well-known Dual Language experts that describes the impact of Dual Language on both ELLs and Native-English speakers.
Two-Way Immersion - The Basics: An overview of the goals & structure of Dual Language program.

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