Dual Language Education (DLE) programs offer grade-level instruction, biliteracy development and sociocultural learning to students in two languages: English and a target language. The goal is to develop the cognitive, academic, and sociocultural competencies, where both languages and cultures are valued, respected, of students through the acknowledgement and use of their linguistic and cultural assets. LA Unified offers more than 230 DLE programs in Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK) through 12th grade.

Students in DLE programs have the opportunity to become bilingual, biliterate and culturally competent leaders in their communities and in our global society. DLE offers Arabic, Armenian, French, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish programs. DLE programs are located on residential school campuses which allows the students in these programs to participate in shared school experiences/ events and fosters family involvement and engagement. Please review the school list to determine the programs that fit your child’s needs.

LA Unified aims to increase the number of graduating seniors who are bilingual and biliterate. This is achieved through Dual Language Education Programs (DLE) and World Languages and Cultures (WLC) courses, which start from Universal Transitional Kindergarten to 12th grade. These programs develop academic language and sociocultural competencies. Students have the opportunity to earn awards by meeting specific criteria starting with the UTK Promise to Bilingualism Award. As students continue their learning, they have the opportunity to earn awards in kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 8th grades. In the 12th grade, the students who have met proficiency criteria in multiple languages will be presented with the Los Angeles Unified and/or the California Department of Education State Seal of Biliteracy.

The DLE programs are designed to provide support for a wide range of language learners:

• English Learners (EL): Students who are in the process of learning English as an additional language
  • NOTE: DLE programs are open to families new to the country, English Learners who are recent arrival International Newcomers, who speak the target language of the DLE program, regardless of participating in a DLE program.
• Initially Fluent English Proficient (IFEP): Students who initially demonstrate proficiency in English.
• Reclassified Fluent English Proficient (RFEP): Students who were previously classified as English. Learners and have demonstrated proficiency and fluency in English.
• English Only (EO): Students whose home language is English.

What Dual Language Education Program Are Available for Language learners?

The district provides three Dual Language Education (DLE) programs, Two-Way Immersion, One-Way Immersion, and World Language Immersion.

Two-Way Immersion (TWI) Program:

This program model integrates native English speakers and native speakers of the target language, providing all students access to academic instruction in both languages.

Eligible Language Learners:

• English Learners (EL)
• Initially Fluent English Proficient (IFEP)
• Reclassified Fluent English Proficient (RFEP)
• English Only (EO)

Eligible Grades UTK, K, and 1

• English Learners (ELs) who speak the target language of the program
• English Speakers (EO, IFEP, RFEP)

Eligible Grades 2-12*

• English Learners (ELs) who speak the target language of the program
• English Speakers (EO, IFEP, RFEP) who have previously participated in a DLE program of the same target language
• *Target language verification will be required for students new to LA Unified and students new to a DLE program in grades 2nd-12th with no prior DLE experience.

By the application deadline, if there are fewer than 50 percent English Language Learners (ELs), or English Speakers to create a balanced classroom composition, the ratio of assignment will be composed of up to 2/3 from either language group.

One-Way Immersion Program (OWI) Program:

This program is for English Learners whose primary home language is the target language of instruction. The program goal is to help students attain proficiency in English while maintaining their home language.

• Eligible Language Learners Grades UTK-12 —English Learners (ELs) who speak the target language of the program including International Newcomers.

World Language Immersion (WLI) Program :

A program model providing English-speaking students access to academic content with targeted second language instruction. The goal of the program is to help students develop proficiency in a second language in addition to English.

Eligible Language Learners:

• English Only (EO) students
• Initially Fluent English Proficient (IFEP) students
• Reclassified Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) students
• English Learners (ELs) who speak the target language of the program (Per parent request)

Eligible Grades UTK, K, and 1

• English Speakers (EO, IFEP, RFEP)
• English Learners (ELs) who speak the target language of the program (Per parent request)

Eligible Grades 2-12*

• English Speakers (EO, IFEP, RFEP) who have previously participated in a DLE program of the same target language
• English Learners (ELs) who speak the target language of the program (Per parent request)
• *Target language verification will be required for students new to LA Unified and students new to a DLE program in grades 2nd-12th with no prior DLE experience.

Selection preferences for applicants will be applied in the following order:

1. Siblings living within the school’s attendance boundary
2. Students living within the school’s attendance boundary
3. Siblings living within Los Angeles Unified boundaries
4. Students residing within Los Angeles Unified boundaries
5. Siblings requiring an Inter-District Permit
6. Students requiring an Inter-District Permit

Dual Language Education Programs Information

If a school site has more qualified applications than space available, the offer of seats to the program to students shall be based on priority order. There are no priority points for Dual Language Education programs. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of openings in a designated grade level, the student will then be placed on a waiting list.

ON-TIME APPLICATION

With the timely application, the student can apply to up to three different DLE programs. The on-time application may be for one, and the second and third choices are optional.

• If the application for the first choice does not have space availability, the application is considered for the second choice and/or third choice
• If offered admission, the applicant is not placed on the waiting list for other choices.
• The applicant will be placed on a waiting list for their first choice only if no seat is offered for any of their choices.
• The student will remain on the waiting list regardless of whether they accept or decline another program offer.
• The school(s) will notify the parents of students on the waiting list if a seat becomes available. There is no need for any other action from the parents of students on the on-time or late waiting list.

Language Classification
A student’s official language classification is determined by the school following enrollment based on the Home Language Survey (HLS).

Inter-District Permits
Once placement has been offered, admitted applicants living outside the boundaries of LA Unified must obtain the Inter-District Permit. The Office of Permits and Student Transfers is responsible for the review and processing of all inter-district permit requests, either entering or leaving LA Unified. More information and the link to the Inter-District Permit process can be obtained at the http://studentpermits.lausd.net site or you may contact the Permits Support Line at (213) 584-6862.

Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK)
Some Dual Language Education program schools offer a Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK) program. Please contact individual schools for age requirements and further information.

Transportation may be available for students participating in Choices programs. Please visit the Transportation Services Division website at www.lausd.org/transportation to complete the opt-in process or speak to an administrator at your school to inquire about transportation options.

Please contact the Choices Support Line at (213) 241-4177 if you have questions about Dual Language Education programs.

The International Newcomer Academy (INA) is a learning academy intended for English Learners (ELs) who are non-US born High School students and who have been enrolled in U.S. schools for 0-3 years or less. The program is designed to support formal academic English, attainment of secondary content, meet A-G requirements for graduation, focus on project based learning, and intentional language instruction. Students actively engage in globally relevant themes and use the students' primary language to acquire new knowledge. A commitment to social emotional instruction, asset-based community development and culture are essential to the curriculum.

Students enrolled in the International Newcomer Academy receive a curriculum with language integrated into the daily instruction. They are taught language in tandem with content to facilitate academic discussion, inquiry, and teamwork. Students collaborate with their peers to construct their understanding of subject matter. Culturally relevant and global themes are embedded in the curriculum, allowing students to create global connections, connections to their communities, and the world. The aspiration of the academy is to have multilingual students graduate college and career ready with proficiency in both the language they bring to the academy and academic English.

Non-US born High School students who have been enrolled in U.S. schools for 0-3 years or less that speak any language other than English are eligible to participate and therefore will be selected.

Resident students from Belmont High School and Bernstein High School must apply through Zones of Choice (ZOC). If a parent/guardian would like their child to attend an International Newcomer Academy (INA) within their ZOC, the parent/guardian must:

• Select that site as their first choice during the ZOC selection process.
• Complete a placement appeal through the ZOC office if the INA site was indicated as first choice on the ZOC application and the student was not assigned to INA.

Students who are assigned to a designated INA through the ZOC process and meets the eligibility criteria, will be selected to attend that site's INA. Non-resident students from Belmont HS and Bernstein HS wishing to participate in the INA will need to submit a Choices application.
Van Nuys High School and Monroe High School are not ZOC schools. Non-resident students who wish to participate in the INA must submit a Choices application. Resident students should enroll at the school site.
For information about ZOC, please contact the ZOC office at (213) 241-0466 or email zoc@lausd.net.

Transportation may be available for students participating in Choices programs. Please visit the Transportation Services Division website at www.lausd.org/transportation to complete the opt-in process or speak to an administrator at your school to inquire about transportation options.

Please contact the Choices Support Line at (213) 241-4177 if you have questions about International Newcomer Academies.