Our bilingual TNLI programs serve our Spanish-speaking students. In an elementary TNLI program, students are instructed primarily in Spanish in the early grades. As students progress through the program, the amount of English instruction gradually increases until there is a 50:50 balance of Spanish and English instruction by 4th grade. In our Secondary TNLI programs, students take up to two of their content courses in Spanish each semester. In addition, your student will receive a daily class period dedicated to building a strong foundation to learn how to listen, read, speak and write in English, called English Language Development (ELD). The goal of bilingual programs is to help your student learn English while developing literacy and content skills in Spanish at the same time, leading to proficiency in both languages.

More than 30 years of research shows that this kind of program helps students master English more quickly than English-only programs. In addition, students who become literate in two languages will have enhanced opportunities after graduation.

Teachers in bilingual programs are proficient in Spanish and have been specially trained to help students learn English while they learn other subjects. Instruction in TNLI schools is guided by research-based Language Allocation Guidelines, which determine the percentage of instruction time in each language.

To select this program, choose “Option 1” on the Parent Permission Form that you will receive at registration. 

At the secondary level, many of our schools offer Spanish Language Arts as another avenue for Spanish speaking students to develop biliteracy. Use the Opportunities for Bilingual Instruction guide to find out where this program is offered. For more information about the curriculum visit 1 Way Education.

• TNLI Program Brochure (for students who are primarily Spanish-speakers)

• Elementary Language Allocation Guidelines (Grades ECE-5)

• Secondary Language Allocation Guidelines (Grades 6-12)

• Opportunities for Bilingual Instruction Guide