Woodland Community Consolidated School District 50 offers a dual language program founded on a well-researched approach to promoting biliteracy, bilingualism, and biculturalism for students. Our goal is to prepare students for the future with abilities to listen, speak, read, and write in English and Spanish and develop an appreciation for different cultures. Woodland has chosen a One-Way Spanish Immersion Program in preschool and a Two-Way Spanish Immersion Program in kindergarten through eighth grade. Students may continue developing Spanish language proficiency by enrolling in advanced Spanish courses at our local high schools. 

Quality Dual Language programs are based on the three guiding principles from the Center of Applied Linguistics (CAL). Woodland School District 50 has adopted these principles as our program goals.

• Students are able to speak and understand each of the two program languages.

• Students can read and write in each of the two program languages. 

• Students will use each of the two languages to support the continued growth of the other.

• Students are able to achieve or exceed grade level expectations in all areas. 

• Students will have equal access to learning opportunities including, but not limited to, Advanced Programming, English as a Second Language services, Special Education, services provided under section 504 plans, and/or other related services. 

• Students will receive instruction within their Zone of Proximal Development to ensure growth and achievement.

• All stakeholders work to ensure equity by understanding and advocating for the diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic needs of all.

• Our curriculum and resources will reflect and value all students and their families' culturally, linguistically, racially, and ethnically diverse identities.

50/50 Content Allocation

Woodland has chosen a 50/50 model. "50/50" refers to the amount of time students are instructed in English and Spanish in a school day. Specific subject areas are taught in English and other subject areas are taught in Spanish.

Preschool Teacher Model

Woodland School District's Dual Language program has a one-teacher model in preschool. Preschool is a half-day program, and students from Spanish-speaking homes spend their time learning early literacy skills in Spanish and developing English language skills, all through themed-based, hands-on learning units.

Kindergarten-5th Grade Teacher Model

In Kindergarten through 5th grade, Woodland School District's Dual Language program has a two-teacher model. Students spend half of their day with their English teacher and another half of their day with their Spanish teacher. A two-teacher model ensures that our students have high levels of language instruction from native to near native-like educators.

6th-8th Grade Teacher Model

The middle school consists of teams of teachers working together. We see teaching teams as a key to achieving the full potential of a dynamic middle school and one that truly responds to the unique physical, intellectual, social-emotional, and moral developmental needs of young adolescents. Each team consists of teachers who are content area specialists and teach one subject area, such as English Language Arts, Spanish Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science. By having content area specialists, we can ensure middle school students experience high levels of rigor and language instruction.