English Development programs are offered to students who qualify for English language support services and speak a language other than English or Spanish.  These services are offered at ALL District 87 Schools. Multilingual learners in these programs continue to grow and develop their academic English in order to meet grade-level academic standards.  High school students participate in an academically and linguistically rigorous and scaffolded English course that counts as an English credit toward graduation.

One-Way Dual Language:

Multilingual learners whose first language is Spanish have the option to enroll in our one-way dual language program.  This program is offered at Sarah Raymond Early Learning Center, Bent Elementary School and Bloomington Junior High School.  Students are taught in both English and Spanish.  English is systematically introduced into the curriculum.  The ratio of Spanish to English begins at pre-K with 95% Spanish and 5% English.  Percentages gradually shift yearly to include more English. The goal of this program is for students to become bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural. 

Transitional Bilingual Program:

Multilingual learners whose first language is Spanish enroll in a transitional bilingual program at Bloomington High School.  Through this program, the native language (Spanish) is used to help students transfer linguistic and academic skills into English.  Students continue to grow academically and linguistically in Spanish through Spanish for Heritage Speakers, Spanish, and/or bilingual resource classes.  English language development components are also a part of these students' programming. Based on students' language development, they participate in an academically and linguistically rigorous and scaffolded English course that counts as an English credit toward graduation.