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Bilingual Dual Language Program

The Bilingual Dual Language Program in Milwaukee Public Schools cultivates language and culture, preparing students to listen, speak, read, and write in both English and Spanish.

The goal of the program is not to replace one language with another, but instead to promote learning and achievement in both languages. Students in the bilingual dual language program will: 

  • Achieve high levels of bilingualism (speaking/listening) and biliteracy (reading/writing) in English and Spanish  
  • Reach high levels of academic achievement in both English and Spanish
  • Develop sociocultural competence, cross-cultural knowledge, and a sense of identity

Each MPS school offering this program is staffed with bilingual teachers who promote the development of two languages using materials in each language.
 

One-Way vs. Two-Way Programs 

At MPS, there are two types of programs: 

  • One-way programs are for Spanish-speaking students who are learning English.  

  • Two-way programs serve at least two language groups with a balanced population of students. Half of the students are native English speakers, and the other half are Spanish speakers who are learning English.

Program Structure

Both programs provide the same learning structure for students. In five-year-old kindergarten, students receive 90% of their instruction in Spanish and 10% in English. That percentage increases gradually each year until grades 4 through 12, when students receive 50% of their instruction in Spanish and 50% in English.

Grade Level Language of Instruction:
Spanish | English
K5 90% | 10% 
Grade 1 80% | 20% 
Grade 2 70% | 30% 
Grade 3 60% | 40% 
Grades 4 and 5 50% | 50% 
Grades 6–8   50% | 50% 
Grades 9–12 50% | 50% 

The Learning Process

The following practices enhance the development of language, literacy, and content in English and Spanish from kindergarten through grade 12. 

Building Oracy 

This refers to speaking and listening. When students work on building oracy in school, they're getting better at talking about what they are learning and listening carefully to others. Students learn new words and better understand ideas in every subject, like science, math, and social studies. It's how students can think out loud about what they just learned!

The Bridge 

This is a special time in class when students get to look at two languages side-by-side. We put languages next to each other to compare how words are the same and how they are different. This makes it easier for students to transfer what they know from one language to the other. It also helps them notice the rules of language.

The Extension 

Students take the new words and use them in the other language. This offers fun ways to talk about and use words, and it helps students remember new words and learn even more about a topic.

Bilingual MPS Schools 

If you are looking for a bilingual dual language program, there are many options to choose from. Due to Milwaukee’s high population of Spanish speakers, we offer many one-way programs for students in all grades.  

One-Way Programs (Spanish speakers)

Elementary Schools (K–5) and K–8 Schools 

  • Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes (ALBA) 
  • Allen-Field School 
  • Anna F. Doerfler School 
  • Forest Home Avenue School 
  • Greenfield Bilingual School 
  • Albert E. Kagel School (two-way in grades K–2) 
  • Lincoln Avenue School 
  • H. W. Longfellow School 
  • Alexander Mitchell Integrated Arts School 
  • Rogers Street Academy 
  • Escuela Vieau 

Middle Schools 
(Grades 6–8)

  • Audubon Technology & Communication Center (Middle School)
  • Wedgewood Park International School

High Schools (Grades 9–12) 

  • Alexander Hamilton High School (grades 9 and 10 only) 
  • Casimir Pulaski High School 
  • Riverside University High School (grades 9–11 only)  
  • South Division High School 

Two-Way Programs (Spanish and English speakers) 

  • La Escuela Fratney (K–6) 
  • James Whitcomb Riley Dual Language Montessori School (K–5) 
  • Hayes Bilingual School (K–8)  
  • Albert E. Kagel School (K–7; one-way in grades 3–7) 
  • Lincoln Center of the Arts (6–8)  

Bilingual Resources (PDFs)

Resources for MPS students who attend bilingual schools include online district-adopted resources in literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and more. They also include online English as a Second Language (ESL) websites and ESL resources that can be printed. 

Discover helpful resources using the links below: