Elmhurst Dual-Language Students To Reach Middle School

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst School District 205 plans to expand its dual-language program to Churchville Middle School next year.

In 2018, the district launched the program, in which students' instruction is in Spanish and English. The program, which consists of native English and Spanish speakers, is housed at the northside Conrad Fischer Elementary School.

The program started with kindergarten and has been increasing by a grade each year. Fifth grade was started this school year.

For next year, the district hopes all the current 64 fifth-grade dual-language students go to Churchville. According to the district, 51 of the students are in the attendance zone for Churchville, which is near Conrad Fisher. Eight are in Bryan Middle School's zone, while five are in Sandburg Middle School's.

Officials said at Tuesday's school board meeting that they are looking at extending the dual-language program into high school once the current Conrad Fischer fifth graders get there.

In 2016, the dual-language program was proposed to address an achievement gap for English language learners in the district, according to a memo. At the time, officials determined the traditional bilingual program was failing to meet the needs of bilingual students.