WARSAW, IN - At Tuesday’s board work session, the school board heard updates about Warsaw Community Schools’ (WCS) Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program.
WCS launched their 50/50 Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program model (balancing instruction for half of the day in English and half in Spanish) at Eisenhower Elementary in 2016, expanding to Leesburg Elementary in 2018 and Lakeview Middle School in 2023. Currently serving over 800 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade, the program will expand to 9th grade at Warsaw Community High School next year. WCS aims to enroll more than 1,400 DLI students annually once fully established in 2029.
After reaching 2nd grade, students' Spanish proficiency is assessed annually using the STAMP assessment. Recent results indicate that all grade levels are exceeding expectations in writing, reading, speaking, and listening, which indicates that they are on track to achieve the same levels of proficiency as a native Spanish speaker upon completion of the program.
Recently, Warsaw Schools developed a partnership with Indiana University Kokomo (IUK). This collaboration started over a year ago and has involved several site visits and meetings to plan future initiatives. The intention is to work with IUK to provide future 10th-12th grade DLI students with advanced college courses that offer transferable college credit. These courses will immediately follow the honors and Advanced Placement (AP) classes taken in 7th-9th grade. The courses will be developed over the next two years in preparation for the 2026-27 school year.
Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert shared, "These initiatives showcase our dedication to offering outstanding educational opportunities for our students. We're thrilled to partner with IU Kokomo, Ball State and others to help our students achieve their goals and prepare for their futures."
In addition, Eisenhower Elementary recently received the International Spanish Academy (ISA) designation from the embassy of Spain. This recognition will provide access to resources, professional development, and networking opportunities both locally and abroad. Leesburg Elementary and Lakeview Middle School will apply for ISA designation later this year now that both buildings are offering DLI at each grade level. Warsaw Community High School will apply in 2029. With this recognition, WCS will also have a higher priority when hiring visiting teachers from Spain and the allocation of language assistants if needed.
Finally, the board had the opportunity to hear about WCS’s partnership with Ball State University (BSU). Chin Sook, a professor at Ball State, collaborated with WCHS Spanish teacher Ana Manwaring to take a group of students to campus, which was an eye-opener for many. They learned about the difference between a major and a minor, the advantages of being bilingual, various career options, college logistics and costs, job opportunities on campus, and numerous scholarship options. A group of WCS administrators and teachers are also partnering with Chin Sook on a research article to highlight the unique success of Warsaw's DLI program and provide insights for sustaining and growing dual language immersion programs.
Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships Krista Polston added, “We’re all in when it comes to the DLI program. This commitment starts right here at Central Office, which is something unique to WCS. Our board members, superintendent, cabinet team, and building administrators work together all year long to support the DLI program, which has been crucial for long-term sustainability.” For more info about our Dual Language Immersion program or to enroll your student, visit our DLI Program Page at WarsawSchools.org/DLI.