21st Century Skills ~ College and Career Ready
Bilingual, Bi-literate, Bi-cultural
Our Schurz Dual Language Program offers high-quality and rigorous instruction in two languages. Each day our students will be immersed in Literacy and content learning in both Spanish and English. The program promotes academic success for bilingual, bi-literate, and bi-cultural citizens.
- Bilingual: able to speak Spanish and English proficiently
- Bi-literate: able to read and write at grade level in Spanish and English
- Bi-cultural: understanding the similarities and differences of others in our community and having a strong sense of personal and cultural identity.
Each Dual Language classroom consists of nine Native English and nine Native Spanish speaking students. In the event that more than nine families are interested in the program, a lottery is held to determine positioning. Students enroll in the program beginning in kindergarten. Once a student is placed in the Dual Language Program, the student remains in the program through fifth grade. Continued Dual Language options are available at the secondary level.
Core classroom instruction is taught kindergarten through fifth grade in 50% English and 50% Spanish each day.
Physical Education, Art, Music and Media courses are taught in English.
Inside the Dual Language Program
Learning Experiences
Check out these links for more information about the goals and resources that support learning in the Schurz Dual Language Program.
How Does Dual Language Work?
- Two Way: classroom make up of half native Spanish speaking students and half native English speaking students. This model provides our native Spanish speakers an opportunity to learn alongside children whose native language is English, while developing their language skills through academic content. Native English speakers likewise have the opportunity to learn Spanish, through academic content, alongside their native Spanish speaking peers. Our students truly work together as models for one another!
- 50/50 Model: At the K-5 level, 50% of the instructional minutes are rigorous Spanish instruction through literacy and content and 50% of the instructional minutes are rigorous English instruction through literacy and content. Research suggests that the optimal window of second language learning is during a child’s primary years. We believe students should be given access to language learning at an early age!
Why Choose Dual Language?
Research on Dual Language Education suggests the following brain benefits for students:
- Improved cognitive function
- Increased focus and memory
- Problem solving skills
- Deeper awareness of language and identity
Our highly qualified, specialized, bilingual teachers provide rigorous instruction for all learners.
Dual Language Goals
“Dual language education is NOT about English language acquisition. Dual language is about three goals:
- Bilingualism/bi-literacy
- High academic achievement in both program languages
- Socio-cultural competence
Unlike ESL and transitional bilingual programs, dual language is the only additive program model and allows us to serve language learners by adding additional languages, but never at the expense of the first language and culture. Students in dual language programs, or emergent bilinguals, use each of the two program languages to strengthen both. Additionally, students in dual language programs are able to see differences in people as opportunities to connect rather than obstacles to overcome.” – Dr. Jose Medina
Other Resources
Check out this link for more information on the benefits of Dual Language Education:
Parents / Students
See below for general information about the Schurz Dual Language Program and the Watertown Unified School District.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1508 Neenah St.
Watertown, WI 53094
920-262-1485
Office Hours: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Student Hours:
8:00 am – 3:05 pm (M, T, TH, F)
8:00 am – 2:00 pm (W)
ENROLL AT WUSD TODAY
Welcome to the Watertown Unified School District where our vision is Excellence for All – It’s the Watertown Way! We are proud of the Watertown community and committed to providing excellent facilities and quality instruction to every child, every day.
- Enrollment Forms and Procedures for WUSD
- If you live outside our district, please note Open Enrollment requirements.
SCHOOL PLACEMENT
Factors that impact placement of students in addition to parental preference:
- Special Education or ESL Needs
- Location of Siblings
- Class Sizes/Facility Capacity
- Address of Student
