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Dual Language Dept

 

In elementary and intermediate schools, students receive Spanish instruction for 50% of their day.

The Dual Language Program in Winchester Public Schools is designed for families who would like their children to learn another language while receiving the same high-quality academic curriculum as students throughout the division. WPS offers Spanish-English two-way Dual Language Programs at the following schools:

  • Frederick Douglass Elementary School: Grades K-4* (Families zoned for JKES may choose to enroll at FDES to participate in the Dual Language Program.)
  • Garland Quarles Elementary School: Kindergarten
  • John Kerr Elementary School: Anticipated 2026-2027
  • Virginia Avenue Charlotte DeHart Elementary School: Grades K-4
  • Daniel Morgan Intermediate School: Grades 5&6
  • Daniel Morgan Middle School: 7&8

Please note Students may enroll at FDES in grades K or 1. Families must complete an out-of-zone request. Students who wish to enroll at FDES in grades 2-4 must first complete an assessment to measure student knowledge. If students meet the criteria, they may enroll after approval. 

Dual Language Programs are a form of enrichment education based on over forty years of research showing the advantages of learning a second language through academic content instruction. The Spanish-English two-way immersion form of dual language is characterized as follows:

  • Approximately half of the students are from Spanish-speaking homes and half from homes in which English (or another language) is spoken.
  • Instruction integrates literacy and academic content knowledge in both languages.
  • The curriculum focuses on challenging, age-appropriate academic skills and knowledge aligned to high standards for all students.

In keeping with the vision of WPS, the mission of the Dual Language Program is to provide an enriched, bilingual, bi-literate, and culturally competent educational experience for all students.

Dual Language Program Sites

Frederick Douglass Elementary School
100 Cedarmeade Avenue
Winchester, VA 22601
540-662-7656

Garland Quarles Elementary School
48 S. Purcell Avenue
Winchester, VA 22601
540-667-7171

John Kerr Elementary School
Anticipated 2026-2027

Virginia Avenue Charlotte DeHart Elementary School
550 Virginia Avenue
Winchester, VA 22601
540-665-6330

Daniel Morgan Intermediate School
48 S. Purcell Avenue
Winchester, VA 22601
540-667-7171

Daniel Morgan Middle School
48 S. Purcell Avenue
Winchester, VA 22601
540-667-7171

Dual Language Program Goals

The goals of the Dual Language Program are for students to:

Listen, speak, read and write in two (or more) languages
Attain high levels of academic and social-emotional competence
Become lifelong cross-cultural learners and critical thinkers