BVSD to add bilingual program options at Lafayette's Angevine Middle

Jan. 7—The Boulder Valley School District is adding more bilingual middle school options in the fall as part of a plan to create a K-12 bilingual pathway.

The district now has two elementary schools with full dual-immersion bilingual programs — Lafayette's Escuela Bilingüe Pioneer and Boulder's University Hill. Boulder's Columbine Elementary also offers a partial program. In dual-immersion programs, students take classes in English and Spanish, with a goal of leaving fifth-grade able to read, write and speak in both languages.

Students who wanted to continue with a bilingual program after elementary school have had two options, Casey or Manhattan middle schools, both in Boulder.

In the fall, Lafayette's Angevine Middle School will become east county's first bilingual middle school program. Starting with sixth graders, the plan is for Angevine to offer three classes in Spanish — language arts; a core content area that could be math, science or social studies; and an elective.

"We found we were missing out on a lot of families," said Kristin Nelson-Steinhoff, Boulder Valley's Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education director. "Many didn't continue with their dual language learning. They really wanted an option in their community."

The current Manhattan students who have open enrolled from east county — about 60 students — can continue to receive transportation through their eighth grade year so they don't have to switch middle schools.

'More opportunities for students'

The new Angevine program, as well as other planned changes to provide more robust bilingual options, are part of a district goal to create a K-12 bilingual pathway and follow a recent outside evaluation of the district's bilingual options.

"With three middle level programs, we will have more opportunities for students," Nelson-Steinhoff said. "It's just super exciting."

As part of the evaluation, focus groups with students found they want more instruction in Spanish, more teachers who understand language acquisition, more opportunities for content classes in Spanish, more opportunities to take advanced classes and electives and more books in Spanish. They also want to attend schools where speaking Spanish is valued.

Families and community members asked for well planned bilingual programs and long-term support, as well as more opportunities for students to enter bilingual programs after elementary school. Teacher requests included bilingual specific professional development and more time to plan together.

Pioneer Principal Anabel Rafoul said one key to Pioneer's success is a high percentage of teachers of color, as well as teachers who are native Spanish speakers. The teachers can build a culture of bilingualism and connect with students and families, she said, and elevate the Spanish language.

"We're really fortunate," she said. "Our staff is something we're really proud of," she said.

Pioneer fifth grader Arabella Hernandez is planning to go to Manhattan Middle for sixth grade because her mom works in Boulder. She wants to continue with bilingual education because some of her family members only speak Spanish.

"I still want to learn how to communicate with my family," she said. "I want them to know what I'm saying, and I want to know what they're saying."

Classmate Willow Lupp is heading to Angevine, saying the school is close to where she lives. One reason she wants to continue with a bilingual program is because "all the places I really want to go speak Spanish."

At the elementary level, Pioneer and University Hill plan to continue to use slightly different bilingual models. Both are effective, according to researchers, as long as they're implemented well.

Pioneer's preschool and kindergarten students learn 90% of the time in Spanish, with more English added in each grade until they're spending about half their time in each language. At University Hill, students spend about half their time in each language in every grade.

A goal of dual-literacy

The third bilingual elementary, Columbine, provides instruction in Spanish in literacy and math to native Spanish speakers, starting in preschool. More English is added each year, with students continuing to receive some Spanish instruction through fifth grade.

Columbine plans to add an option for both native English and native Spanish speakers to participate in a dual language program in the fall, starting in preschool and kindergarten and adding a grade each year.

Nelson-Steinhoff said the change at Columbine responds to neighborhood families requesting more Spanish opportunities for students. Students also will be able to continue to learn in English only.

At the middle school level, both Manhattan and Casey are adding classes in Spanish in the fall. District officials say they decided on three classes in Spanish per grade level because that's what research shows is best practice at middle school.

Manhattan, which now offers Spanish language arts and either Spanish science or social studies, is adding a Spanish elective.

Casey now offers Spanish language arts, a Spanish content class and the option to take folkloric dance, which is taught in Spanish. The school also plans to add another Spanish elective.

Once students get to high school, their current options are taking advanced Spanish classes or concurrent enrollment in college level Spanish. Graduating seniors can earn a Seal of Biliteracy for achieving a high level of proficiency in English and another language. The district also is looking to add more high school options in the future.

"The goal is for our students to graduate with dual literacy," Nelson-Steinhoff said.