Submitted by North Thurston Public Schools
On a recent afternoon at Lydia Hawk Elementary School, 1st-grade students in the Dual Language program were excited to share their research projects with visiting family members. Students had chosen historical figures to learn more about, such as Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina director of the Johnson Space Center and the first Latina to go to space.
Down the hall, 3rd-grade Dual Language students were putting the finishing touches on the hand-crafted items such as colored masks they would sell to other students at their tienda (store) the following day. It was part of their civics unit, during which they learned about local government and businesses from classroom visitors.
Family members are welcome partners in the program, visiting to learn about students’ work. For example, at Lydia Hawk earlier this spring, families enjoyed a meal and talked with their students about a project on sea turtles that incorporated art, science, and writing.
North Thurston Public Schools will offer the Dual Language program at four schools in the 2026-27 school year: Lydia Hawk, Pleasant Glade, and Mountain View Elementary Schools, and Nisqually Middle School. Students learn in both English and Spanish throughout the school day, receiving the same rigorous instruction and curriculum as other NTPS students. The goal is a classroom with a mix of students who are native English speakers and native Spanish speakers.
“This program has been wonderful for my family,” said Jeremy Sorokas, whose daughter is enrolled in the Dual Language Program at Pleasant Glade Elementary School. “My daughter is thriving in both Spanish and English. She practices Spanish everywhere she goes and is excited for school to start next year. The program not only covers the core curriculum but also shares Hispanic culture. My daughter had so much fun performing a traditional Marimba dance at Multicultural Night; she enjoys learning both the language and the culture.”
Students who participate in dual language education score above average on English reading tests (both native English-speaking students and multilingual learners), according to the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. They also perform well in other academic content areas.
“Learning two languages has so many benefits,” said NTPS Director of Equity and World Languages Dr. Antonio Sandifer. “We know that it supports brain development, can lead to stronger academic achievement, and fosters an understanding of global issues.”
Families who want to enroll their child in the program can visit the NTPS website. The page includes frequently asked questions in English and Spanish, as well as English and Spanish versions of the program application.
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