Dual Language / Two Way Bilingual Programs

American Sign Language Program

Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Horace Mann School (HMS) is a K0-12 American Sign Language (ASL) and English dual language program providing an asset-driven education for deaf and hard of hearing children. Horace Mann School provides a Parent Infant Program (PIP) for families of deaf and hard of hearing children from birth to age 3, ensuring that these students enter school with the early language foundation necessary for academic success. K0 through 12th grade students attending Horace Mann School engage with a rigorous standards-based curriculum that aligns with the current district and state frameworks preparing them for postsecondary success. Its language-rich environment allows students to learn through immersion in a community of strong language models and develop fluency in both American Sign Language and English. Horace Mann School empowers students as Deaf individuals to be lifelong learners and innovative thinkers with diverse linguistic, ethnic, and cultural identities.
Learn more about the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Haitian Creole Program

Mattahunt Elementary School

In September 2017, Boston Public Schools launched the Toussaint L’Ouverture Academy at the Mattahunt Elementary School, the first Two-Way Immersion Haitian Creole Dual-Language Preschool Program in the country. The Toussaint L’Ouverture Academy is a Haitian Creole Dual Language program that serves students in grades K1-6. We provide an opportunity for students to achieve high levels of bilingual and biliterate proficiency and sociocultural competency through rigorous Haitian Creole and English dual-language instruction. The team at the Toussaint L'Ouverture Academy believes in the potential of every student and fosters a love of learning and a sense of responsibility in students to position them to realize their immense potential. We do this by providing rigorous and meaningful learning experiences - experiences that are grounded in students’ interests, contexts, and cultures and in the environment and community that surrounds and girds the school.
Learn more about the Mattahunt Elementary School.

Spanish Programs

Hurley K-8

The Hurley K–8 public school is a Spanish-English immersion school located in Boston’s South End. At the Hurley, we challenge students to learn in two languages and achieve academic excellence in both. Hurley’s hallmarks are a committed, talented teaching staff, an intensive language arts curriculum, a dedication to math and science fluency, a strong commitment to the arts and an innovative after school program that engages our children in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities.
Learn more abut the Hurley K-8

 

Margarita Muñiz Academy

The Margarita Muñiz Academy is the first dual language high school and an Innovation School of the Boston Public Schools. Muñiz Academy is dedicated to preparing citizens and leaders who are fluent in English and Spanish. Every student will be ready for college and will contribute to the community and beyond. Muñiz Academy partners with families and the community to realize our mission together.
Learn more abut the Margarita Muñiz Academy

 

Mario Umana Academy

The Mario Umana Academy is a Dual Language school in the East Boston neighborhood that runs from grades K1-8. Our goal is for students to become verbally and academically proficient in both English and Spanish, while also developing intercultural and global competencies that prepare them to thrive in today’s global environment.
Learn more about the Mario Umana Academy

 

Sarah Greenwood

The Dual Language program at the Sarah Greenwood runs in grades K1-8 (growing one grade per year), and has specialized student support services in Therapeutic Learning Center. The school uses Restorative Justice as their guiding philosophy for student and community support..
Learn more about the Sarah Greenwood K-8 School

 

Rafael Hernández

The Rafael Hernández Two-Way Bilingual School is a K1-8 program committed to working with parents and the community within a diverse, nurturing environment in which students use Spanish and English as constructive tools for learning. We believe students, teachers and parents should work cooperatively to set and achieve goals that maximize each student’s potential, and that develop courageous learners, effective communicators, and responsible citizens.
Learn more about the Rafael Hernández School

Vietnamese Programs

Âu Cơ Preschool

Âu Cơ Preschool is the first and only Vietnamese bilingual, bicultural preschool program in Massachusetts. Starting in September of 2019, Âu Cơ PreSchool joined in partnership with Boston Public Schools to become a Universal Pre-K program. Âu Cơ provides Vietnamese dual-language curriculum to the students, teaching the same curriculum as students would learn in Boston Public Schools, in both English and Vietnamese. Students who graduate from our Universal Pre-K program will have priority registration for K2 in selected BPS schools.
Learn more about the Vietnamese Program at Âu Cơ Preschool

 

Mather Elementary School

The Mather Elementary has a Vietnamese Dual Language strand in which students participate in immersive experiences to help them develop foundational Vietnamese language and literacy skills. Students also have the opportunity to grow their understanding of Vietnamese history and culture. The goal of the dual language program is to promote Vietnamese language and culture and help create the foundation for students to achieve the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy in grade 12.

The program is adding one grade per year and currently in SY22-23 serves grades K1-2.
Learn more about the Mather Elementary School

Dual Language Programs FAQ

What languages are available in BPS dual language programs?

Currently, BPS offers dual language programs in Spanish/English in selected elementary schools and in one high school. We also offer Haitian Creole/English programming at the Mattahunt Elementary School. In addition, we also have an American Sign Language (ASL)/English dual language program at the Horace Mann School for the Deaf. Most recently, BPS has added dual language programs in Vietnamese/English at Âu Cơ Preschool and the Mather Elementary School.

 

Are dual language programs the same as two-way immersion programs?

Yes, dual language programs as defined in BPS are also known as two-way immersion programs.

 

Are there any recommendations to enroll my child in a dual language program?

It is recommended that students enter the dual language programs at K0-K2. The child must be proficient in either English or the target language of the program (for the Haitian Creole, Spanish, and Vietnamese dual language programs). In some cases, a new student who has proficiency in the target language (Haitian Creole, Spanish, or Vietnamese) may be enrolled into a DLP beyond grade 1.
Enrollment in the ASL Dual Language program at the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is available for students who are deaf or hard of hearing and does not require proficiency in ASL or English.
Consult your local dual language program school for details and enrollment procedures.

For more information

For more information, please contact the Office of Multilingual and Multicultural Education (OMME) Curriculum and Instruction Team at ommeinstructionteam@bostonpublicschools.org or call 617-635-9435.

Please, click on the link to learn more about the Language Opportunities for Our Kids (LOOK) Act Implementation at BPS.