Wake considers converting three schools to magnet schools with Spanish, Chinese language immersion

Wake County public schools' staff are recommending converting three schools to magnet schools with Spanish and Chinese immersion themes.

Posted 9:37 p.m. Feb 4, 2020 — Updated 9:42 p.m. Feb 4, 2020

CARY, N.C. — Wake County public schools' staff are recommending converting three schools to magnet schools with Spanish and Chinese immersion themes.

Under the proposal, Dillard Drive elementary and middle schools would become magnet schools with Spanish language immersion. East Cary Middle School would convert to a K-8 school with a Chinese language immersion theme.

School leaders said a 2019 survey of magnet applicants showed that parents "indicated a high interest in more immersion and/or world language options."

Wake County Board of Education members reviewed the proposal Tuesday and are expected to discuss it again at their next meeting on Feb. 18. The proposal included the following:

Dillard Drive Elementary School

Full Spanish Immersion Program
- Serve English native speakers in an environment where Spanish is exclusively used
- Spanish content taught in four core classes (literacy, math, science, social studies)
- Students become bilingual, biliterate and bicultural
- Students become equally proficient in both Spanish and English

Spanish and French offered daily for K-5 non-immersion students

Core and elective classes taught through a global lens

Dillard Drive Middle School

Spanish and French offered daily for grades 6th-8th grade non-immersion students
Global electives focusing on the Spanish history and culture for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students
Global concepts integrated into core and other elective classes
Spanish immersion continued in Spanish literacy and one core course in 6th-8th grades

East Cary Middle School

K-8 language school eliminating transition between 5th and 6th grade year, providing nine years of continuous support to all of students
Full Chinese Immersion K-5
- Serve English native speakers in an environment where Chinese is exclusively used, Chinese content taught in four core classes (literacy, math, science, social studies)
- Students become bilingual, biliterate and bicultural
- Students become equally proficient in both Chinese and English

Chinese and Spanish offered for non-immersion students as a daily language for K-5 students

Chinese immersion continued in Chinese literacy and one core course in 6th-8th grades

Chinese and Spanish language offered daily for 6-8 non-immersion students

Core and elective classes taught through a global lens

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