Spanish Immersion Program
Robbinsdale Area Schools has been a pioneer in offering dual language immersion learning opportunities to students for more than 30 years. Our district was the second district in Minnesota to offer the opportunity for students to be immersed in a second language. Since welcoming our first immersion kindergarten class in 1986, Robbinsdale Area Schools has remained a leader in language immersion education, offering a comprehensive program to support students' academic and language development from Kindergarten through 12th Grade. In our program, students learn the same rigorous Robbinsdale Area Schools curriculum while gaining advanced levels of proficiency in both Spanish and English.
Contact
Julie Sonnek
Multilingual Coordinator
Julie_Sonnek@rdale.org
Goals
- Become bilingual and biliterate, developing high levels of proficiency in two languages.
- Perform at or above grade level in academic areas in both languages.
- Demonstrate positive cross-cultural attitudes and behaviors.
Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion School
- Open to all students via application and lottery at Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion Elementary
- School-wide program
- Focus on growing bilingual and biliterate students.
- District resident students receive transportation
Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion (RSI) is a 85/15 Dual Language Program in which students are immersed the majority of their day in Spanish. Students progressively receive more instruction in English. By the time they are in 5th grade, half of their instructional time is in Spanish and half of it is in English.
After RSI, students can attend Plymouth Middle School to continue their Spanish instruction. Students take three classes per day in Spanish at each grade level: Science, Social Studies and Advanced Spanish.
In high school, students take one course per day in Spanish at each grade level. Armstrong High School offers Advanced Placement courses in Spanish; Cooper High School offers International Baccalaureate Immersion courses. Upon graduation, students can earn one or more of the Minnesota Bilingual Seals available from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Learn more about MDE Bilingual Seals on their website.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What if my student does not speak English or Spanish?
- What does instruction look like?
- How do you honor and develop the other languages spoken by students?
- How can I help my student with their homework if I don't speak the language or understand the assignment?
- My English-speaking student is in 2nd grade and still isn't speaking any Spanish. Is the program working?
- My 5th Grade student has been in the program and is already bilingual in Spanish and English. Should they stay in the program?
- How do students in dual language programs compare academically to students in other types of educational programs?