The KCKPS Dual Language Program offers students the opportunity to become bi-literate in Spanish and English by learning language through the content.
Dual Language Program
What is the Dual Language Program?
Enrollment and Registration
The Kansas City, Kansas Public School District will begin enrollment of students entering kindergarten in the 2026-2027 school year and is in the attendance zones of Frances Willard and New Stanley.
For students who are outside the boundary areas of these schools, your first step is still to register your child for kindergarten on the district website.
Register your child for kindergarten for the 2026- 2027 school year. The registration is online and available on the district website.
If your child is transitioning from a USD 500 early childhood center, you register through the parent portal.
New students to the school district will need to register using the “new registration link” on the district website (which you are currently on).
Click on “Register For School” located on the top right-hand side of the screen.
Scroll down to the middle of the page and click on “NEW FAMILY ENROLLMENT”.
Once families complete the registration and dual language interest form a native language proficiency level screening appointment will be scheduled for your child. The first round of parent notifications of acceptance into the program will start in April, and a second round of notifications will be in June of each year.
If seats are available after April of each year, students who are outside the attendance area of these schools will be given an opportunity to express interest in enrolling. This window will be open from April through June of each year.
A lottery will take place after interest forms close, and you will be notified if your child is selected for a native language proficiency screening. Parent notification for final acceptance will be completed by July of each year.
| 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K | K | K | K | K | K |
| 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | |
| 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | ||
| 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | |||
| 4th | 4th | ||||
| 5th |
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Register your child for kindergarten for the 2026- 2027 school year. The registration is online and available on the district website.
If your child is transitioning from a USD 500 early childhood center, you register through the parent portal.
New students to the school district will need to register using the “new registration link” on the district website (which you are currently on).
Click on “Register For School” located on the top right-hand side of the screen.
Scroll down to the middle of the page and click on “NEW FAMILY ENROLLMENT”.
-
Once families complete the registration and dual language interest form a native language proficiency level screening appointment will be scheduled for your child. The first round of parent notifications of acceptance into the program will start in April, and a second round of notifications will be in June of each year.
If seats are available after April of each year, students who are outside the attendance area of these schools will be given an opportunity to express interest in enrolling. This window will be open from April through June of each year.
A lottery will take place after interest forms close, and you will be notified if your child is selected for a native language proficiency screening. Parent notification for final acceptance will be completed by July of each year.
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2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 K K K K K K 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd 4th 4th 5th
Dual Language Program Vision and Goals
Vision
To inspire excellence through k-5 dual language program rooted in biliteracy and bicultural schools. With a focus on providing learning environments that embraces and promotes the success of all students by adding a second language to their linguistic repertoire and high academic achievement.
Goal
KCKPS students will graduate bilingual with the skills necessary to obtain the Seal of Biliteracy (Diploma +) so they can distinguish themselves for academic and professional success, as well as increase their sociocultural competence.
Dual Language Frequently Asked Questions
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Dual-language immersion is a way to learn academic content while acquiring another language at the same time. KCKPS students will be learning Spanish and English throughout the school day.
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Dual language is a long-term program with the goal of developing bilingualism, biliterate and cultural appreciation in all students.
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Students entering kindergarten with either English or Spanish as their native language will immediately start learning a second language while continuing to develop their native home language. Students naturally want to learn and readily absorb the dual language instruction.
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Dual language students develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in two languages, building academic fluency in both English and Spanish.
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The research shows that solidifying the home language builds a foundation of grammar, reading and writing in Spanish that will be an advantage to transition more fluently to English. There will also be strong acknowledgment of their culture and heritage, which is an important part of having well-rounded students.
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Our native English-speaking students get to be immersed in the Spanish language and will be functionally biliterate and bilingual by the time they complete 5th grade. This model results in better vocabulary and language acquisition for all students.
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As in other education programs, strong home-school connections are essential to the success of dual language programs. We ask that parents show their commitment to ensure their student’s success by committing to the program for the full duration of their child’s elementary schooling ( through 5th grade).
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The following schools will offer dual language programs beginning with entering kindergarten students for the 2026-2027 school year: Frances Willard Elementary and New Stanley Elementary. Each school year, a new grade level will be added until a K-5 model is completed in the 2028-2029 school year. Annual admission will be granted at the kindergarten level each preceding school year.
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Students entering kindergarten in the 2026-2027 school year. A student must be five years old by Aug. 31 to be eligible for the program per state of Kansas regulations.
Students who reside in the attendance boundary of Frances Willard and New Stanley will be given priority for the dual language programs. All other students' applications will be considered on a space available at each school site. A lottery will be implemented to grant students admission into the program if space is available.
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Transportation will only be provided for students who qualify per USD 500 policy. Students that live in the attendance areas of New Stanley and Frances Willard will have transportation provided if selected to be in the program.
Students residing outside of New Stanley's attendance area will need to provide their own transportation. Students residing outside of Frances Willards attendance area will have transportation provided for the student if they are selected to be in the program.
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Students will spend half of their day learning in Spanish and the other half learning in English, a 50/50 model. The academic subjects and content will not change only the language of instruction. All academic content will meet grade level standards.
The dual language program is not about learning the language only, but rather learning through that language; instructional minutes are spent learning the same math, science, and social studies standards as non-dual language students, only in the Spanish or English language. Dual language students develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in two languages, building academic fluency in both Spanish and Spanish.
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Students entering kindergarten in the 2026-2027 school year who are in the attendance zones of Frances Willard and New Stanley.
For students who are outside the boundary areas of these schools, your first step is still to register your child for kindergarten on the district website.