The Public Schools of Edison Township is proud to offer a Dual Language Academy (DLA) located at Washington Elementary School.  In this dual language program, students are taught literacy and academic content in both English and Spanish.  The DLA is a full-time program of instruction running from Grade K through 5th grade that provides structured English language instruction, as well as instruction in Spanish, in all core content areas.

All Edison School District students are eligible to apply for the program prior to the start of kindergarten. Each Fall, we create a new Kindergarten cohort of language learners who are already native speakers of either English or Spanish.  These DLA cohorts continue together through 5th grade.  As it is anticipated that many students in the program and their families will not speak the target language (either English or Spanish) at the start of the program, lessons are designed for students who are beginning to learn the language.

The Dual Language Academy offers students an opportunity to become bilingual and biliterate in both English and Spanish.  The program integrates native English-speaking students with native Spanish-speaking students for instruction, which is presented in both languages.  It is supported by teachers who are fluent in English, Spanish or both languages.

The goals of the Dual Language Academy are aligned with the Three Pillars of Dual Language Education:

1. Bilingualism & Biliteracy: Students will gain the ability to speak, read and write proficiently in two languages.  Fluency in both reading and writing will be presented through academic performance that is at or above grade level, in both languages.

2. Grade-level Academic Achievement: The development of high levels of proficiency in the student’s dominant as well as second language.

3. Multiculturalism: To broaden individual perspective and achieve understanding and appreciation for different cultural backgrounds.