Who is eligible to enroll in the Dual Language program?

Given the sequential nature of the program and its alignment with instructional program requirements, students typically enter the Dual Language program in kindergarten or first grade.

Interested families are encouraged to attend the Spring Kindergarten Open House at Frederick Douglass Elementary or Virginia Avenue Charlotte DeHart Elementary School to learn more. 

Any student seeking admission to the Dual Language Program entering grades 2-5 will be assessed to ensure the student can fully access and participate in the appropriate grade-level Dual Language curriculum. 

How can my child apply?

Student placement in the Dual Language Program is determined by a combination of factors, including the student's attendance zone and program capacity. In addition, the program design requires a balanced enrollment of students from homes in which English is spoken and homes in which Spanish is spoken.

Frederick Douglass Elementary School

Frederick Douglass offers a partial whole-school Dual Language program as well as a traditional program. All entering kindergarten and first-grade students in the Frederick Douglass attendance zone are automatically enrolled in the Dual Language program. Students entering grades 2-5 will be assessed to ensure the student can fully access and participate in the appropriate grade-level Dual Language curriculum.  

Students who are not zoned for Frederick Douglass or Virginia Avenue may choose to enroll at Frederick Douglass only. Transportation would need to be provided by the family.

Students who are outside of Winchester City, may also enroll at Frederick Douglass only. 

Virginia Avenue Charlotte DeHart Elementary School

Virginia Avenue will offer both a Dual Language option and a traditional program. Families interested in the Dual Language Program for their students may apply when they register for school. Admittance to the program will be approved based on capacity and student eligibility.

Programmatic Transfers

Programmatic Transfers Slots for students who live outside the attendance zone of Frederick Douglass or Virginia Avenue Charlotte DeHart are limited. Schools will receive  transfers from outside the attendance zone only if space is available for that year and grade level. Families must request a programmatic transfer if they are interested in applying to the Dual Language program. However, there is no guarantee of admission. Programmatic transfers are approved by the Superintendent or authorized designee.

All students must be registered in their boundary school before alternative student placement can be made.

If the number of students seeking programmatic transfers to the Dual Language Program exceeds the available spaces, then after July 1, all the students with new programmatic transfer applications will enter a lottery for random selection. Siblings of students who have received programmatic transfers will be admitted if they meet dual language eligibility requirements.

Transportation is NOT provided for families approved for an administrative transfer to the Dual Language Program. (See  School Board Policy JCA for more information about programmatic transfers.)

Students who are non-resident students would need to refer to our non-resident policy. 

What if my child wants to opt out?

Students who do not wish to enroll in the Dual Language program may participate in the traditional curriculum program if available at the school. If the school is Dual Language only, students may request a programmatic transfer to the school closest to the student's residence with capacity at that grade level.