Dual Language Immersion (DLI)
NVUSD’s Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program is a K–12 pathway where students are immersed in a partner language alongside peers from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Native English and native Spanish speakers learn together as they develop biliteracy, bilingualism, and biculturalism—the three core goals of our DLI model.
This year, our K–12 DLI pathway was honored by the California School Boards Association (CSBA) with a Golden Bell Award, recognizing NVUSD’s commitment to high-quality, culturally sustaining dual language education. We invite you to read more about this exciting recognition in the NVUSD News.
Please watch the video above and review the Frequently Asked Questions below to learn more about our DLI pathway. We also encourage families to attend open houses at our DLI schools in the fall, tour campuses, and meet our amazing teachers and staff.
NVUSD DLI Schools
Dual Language Immersion students automatically matriculated into the next level of the DLI program.
Elementary Schools
If you are in a transition year (5-6th, 8-9th) NVUSD Enrollment Staff will make contact will all DLI families to confirm the next school.
Middle School
High School
NVUSD is committed to providing a high-quality, research-based dual language immersion program:
- Program Structure
- Curriculum
- Instruction
- Assessment and Accountability
- Staff Quality and Professional Development
- Family and Community
- Support and Resources
The NVUSD Dual Language Immersion K-12 Pathway is a rigorous academic program developing high linguistic and academic proficiency in Spanish and English while simultaneously fostering socio-cultural competence.
NVUSD Dual Language Immersion Goals
Frequently Asked Questions
Since DLI is a K-12 pathway, do students need to start in kindergarten?
Students can begin the pathway in kindergarten or first grade. There are also options to join later in the pathway and students are assessed on a case by case basis.
When are most students competent in their second language?
Research shows that a language is learned in the course of 7-9 years. Generally, most students start using their new language (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) in the first few years of being immersed in the second language and progressively get stronger over the course of their development at the elementary grades and beyond.
What schools do DLI students attend in NVUSD?
Students for elementary (K-5) attend either Pueblo Vista Elementary or Napa Valley Language Academy, Unidos Middle School (6-8), and Napa High School.
How do I enroll my student in the DLI pathway?
NVUSD offers a K-12 Dual Immersion pathway. Students can enroll at either NVLA or Pueblo Vista to start the DLI pathway in kindergarten or first grade. Families would need to enroll their student during the open enrollment period for NVUSD which is held in the Fall. Those students would then continue to the dual immersion pathway to Unidos Middle School and then complete the pathway at Napa High. For students who are new to the Spanish language and wish to provide this opportunity to their children during the middle school years, Unidos Middle School offers 3 tracks: DLI, Spanish for Heritage Speakers, and "New to Spanish Pathway." All the tracks could potentially onboard students to earn the Seal of Biliteracy during their high school years.
Contact Information
International Spanish Academy (ISA)
The Napa High International Spanish Academy (ISA) program focuses on preparing bilingual, biliterate and multicultural students so that they can achieve proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking in Spanish.
Napa High is one of only 4 ISA high schools on the entire west coast and the only ISA High School program in Northern California.
The Napa High ISA program is a rigorous 4 year program designed to accept dual immersion students in the 9th grade and support them through their 12th grade year with the highest level of Spanish language achievement, culminating in AP Spanish Language and AP Spanish Literature.
The Napa High ISA program is a clear pathway for Napa Valley Language Academy or Pueblo Vista Dual Language Immersion and Unidos Middle School Dual Immersion students.
Additionally, by completing the program requirements, most Napa High ISA students qualify for the prestigious California Seal of Biliteracy.
The International Spanish Academy (ISA) program is an educational outreach initiative of the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of Spain where high performing schools in the United States and Canada implement a Spanish/English dual language immersion curriculum.
The goal of the ISA program is to offer students a high-quality dual language immersion instruction that will prepare them to be responsible citizens in a globalized world. They will become individuals who value multiculturalism and respect its differences, who are capable of facing a changing world in the digital age, who can communicate effectively in English and in Spanish, and who can pursue higher education in any of the two languages upon the completion of high school.