Through the district’s Dual Language program, students maintain their first language while adding a second language, and they develop pride in their own language and culture while developing an understanding of the cultures and traditions of others. Leander ISD offers both two-way (for Spanish-speaking and English-speaking students) and one-way (for Spanish-speaking students) approaches.
Leander ISD adopted the Gomez & Gomez Dual Language Enrichment model for all bilingual classrooms in 2009. The goal of bilingual education under this model is to produce students who are bilingual, bi-literate, academically successful and socio-culturally competent.
About Dual Language Education
“Dual language education is an effective program for developing language and content in two languages while students develop sociocultural competence. The three pillars, or goals, of dual language education are the promotion of
- Bilingualism and biliteracy
- Grade-level academic achievement in both languages
- Sociocultural competence
Students maintain their first language while adding a second language, and they develop pride in their own language and culture while developing an understanding of the cultures and traditions of others.” -Center for Applied Linguistics
“Middle and high school students are in the process of becoming young adults, and the secondary DL program gives DL students opportunities to prove to themselves how their bilingual/multicultural capabilities will be important to their adult lives. By building on and expanding their bilingual proficiency, content mastery, and cross-cultural understanding that was begun in elementary school, DL students in middle school begin to see how their DL education is relevant to their future. DL secondary students are preparing to function at high cognitive levels in their evolving bilingual/multicultural contexts as adults in their home communities and in professional contexts.” -Dr. Ginger Collier and WayneThomas
Two Approaches under the Dual Language Enrichment Model
Two-Way Dual Language
Supports “two language” groups of students to become bilingual, bi-literate and socio-culturally competent. For example, both Spanish-speaking and English-speaking students learn in both languages. LISD implemented this approach in the fall of 2014 at Reed Elementary and the next year at Whitestone, beginning in Kinder. In the fall of 2018 LISD began implementation in Kinder at Bagdad and Knowles. In 2020 LISD added the program in middle school at Henry and Danielson.
One-Way Dual Language
Supports “one language” groups of students to become bilingual, bicultural, and bi-literate. For example, students whose primary language is Spanish learn in English and Spanish. Since 2009, LISD has been implementing this approach for students whose primary language is Spanish and who are not yet proficient in English upon entering school. Currently PreKinder is the only grade level that remains a One-Way program.
Current Dual Language Schools
Two-Way DLE, Kinder-5th grades, Early Childhood is One-Way:
- Bagdad Elementary
800 Deercreek Ln
Leander, TX 78641
512 570-5900 - Knowles Elementary
2101 Cougar Country Dr
Leander, TX 78641
512 570-6200 - Reed Elementary
1515 Little Elm Trl.
Cedar Park, TX 78613
512 570-7700 - Whitestone Elementary
2000 Crystal Falls Pkwy
Leander, TX 78641
512 570-7400
If you need to request a transfer to participate in the Dual Language program submit a request through the district system and include Dual Language as the reason for the request.
Application to participate in Dual Language Kinder 2027/28
Dual Language Community Information Nights
Community Information Nights for interested families will be available in the spring.
Dual Language events
Dual Language Family Collaboration Nights
Designed to facilitate collaboration among our Dual Language community stakeholders. Families, children, parents and teachers come together 4 evenings out of the school year. There is time for networking, food and fellowship. The community of students, parents and teachers in the Dual Language program work together to support multilingualism, academic growth and development. We hold the meetings for all families in the program at a different campus each night in order to strengthen the program across all 7 Dual Language campuses.
The four meeting dates for the 2026-27 school year are:
- Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Reed Elementary School:
- Thursday, Oct 22, 2026 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Whitestone Elementary School:
- Thursday, Feb. 4, 2027 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Bagdad Elementary School:
- Thursday, April 8, 2027 from 5-7:30 p.m at Knowles Elementary School:
Other Dual Language Events
- Dec. 5, 2026: 13th Annual Spanish Poetry Festival
Language of Instruction
Language Arts
- Pre-K, Kinder, & Grade 1: Formally develop literacy in Spanish for all students
- Grade 2 through Grade 5: In both languages
Mathematics
- Pre-K through Grade 5: In English
Science and Social Studies
- Pre-K through Grade 5: In Spanish
Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction
More coming soon!
