Dual Language Immersion

The ability to communicate and collaborate in the global marketplace will become increasingly valuable skills for our students as they prepare for college, careers, and citizenship. GCPS’ Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program promises to prepare students for this 21st century reality. DLI students develop skills of collaborative leadership in a diverse setting, cultural competency, empathy, and bilingualism, helping students become globally competitive and future-ready.

GCPS students start the DLI program in kindergarten and continue their immersion experience each subsequent school year. Our rising kindergartners can develop proficiency in a new language in DLI classrooms at 10 elementary schools—Spanish at Annistown, Baldwin, Bethesda, Camp Creek, Ivy Creek,  Level Creek, Meadowcreek, and Mulberry; French at Trip; and Korean at Parsons. 

In the DLI elementary school program, students spend half of the school day learning in English and the other half learning content areas in the target language. GCPS honors its commitment to DLI parents and students with a seamless K–12 language program. As students move into middle school and on to high school, we never lose sight of our goals from the first day of kindergarten.

Students in the GCPS DLI Program will become bilingual and bi-literate, able to successfully navigate multiple cultures in their lives and careers. Benefits for DLI students include:

• Second Language Skills: DLI students achieve higher proficiency in the second language than with traditional World Language instruction.
• Cognitive Skills: DLI students typically demonstrate increased attention and memory, superior problem-solving skills, and an enhanced understanding of their primary language. 
• Performance on Standardized Tests: DLI students perform as well as or better than English-only students on standardized tests in English, including students from a range of socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds and with diverse cognitive and linguistic abilities.
• Intercultural Competency: DLI students are more aware of and generally show more positive attitudes toward other cultures and an appreciation of others.
• Attendance: DLI students have higher attendance rates and lower drop-out rates than non-DLI students.

Families of new kindergartners interested in the DLI program for 2023–24 must complete registration on the DLI school’s website (April 10–May 12). Every student registering for this program may not be accepted due to limited space; lotteries for space are held when needed. Learn more about our DLI programs and kindergarten registration on our website.