Dual Language Program

The Amherst Public Schools is proud to offer families the opportunity to learn in both English and Spanish in the Caminantes dual language program.  This innovative program, housed at Fort River, supports students to become bilingual and biliterate in Spanish and English. The program also promotes cultural understanding and academic achievement for all. There are many benefits of becoming bilingual, including cognitive, academic, and social benefits that lay the foundation for college and career readiness.

Caminantes is a 90/10 program, meaning that kindergarten children learn for most of their day in a Spanish immersion classroom. By third grade,  children spend 1/2 their day learning in English with one teacher and 1/2 their day learning in Spanish with another teacher. Children will learn each subject in both languages throughout their time in the program. Each classroom maintains its language of instruction to allow students to develop not only content knowledge but the language needed to engage in academic topics.  Instructional strategies are used to support learners in accessing the content through their new language. Our teachers create a safe and engaging learning environment that values each child and their contributions to the classroom community.

The dual language program can be a great choice for any student, whether your child speaks Spanish, English, or is already bilingual. Students with different language skills and strengths learn with and from each other. Most students join the program in Kindergarten by indicating interest during registration. These students are included in the dual language lottery each spring. Students interested in joining the program in 1st grade or later must meet the Spanish language criteria for the grade they are applying to to be accepted into that grade