ASD | Curriculum | World Languages

K-12 Program, Elementary Language Immersions Programs

Language immersion is one of the several programs of choice available to elementary students in the district. The partial immersion language programs in the Anchorage School District provide a total language experience in a multicultural setting for students whose parents would like them to have the advantage of becoming proficient in two languages – English and a second language – by the time they complete the Kindergarten through grade six sequence of the program. There are four programs: two Spanish (one is a dual language bilingual program for ESL students also), one Japanese and one Russian.

Chugiak Elementary

Sand Lake Elementary

Government Hill Elementary

Turnagain Elementary

Spanish Immersion

Grades K-5

Japanese Immersion

Grades K-6

Spanish Two-way Immersion

For both Spanish-speaking and English-speaking children in grades K-6

Russian Immersion

Grades K-6

Enrolling your child

Apply through the lottery process for optional programs

All students who meet the age requirements for entering kindergarten may apply for the program through the district's lottery process for optional programs. Parents are encouraged to attend informational meetings and observe in the classroom prior to submitting a lottery application. Get lottery applications and read guidelines »

Learning a second language

Beginning at an early age reaps benefits

American and Canadian studies of immersion programs and experience within the district's own programs show students in immersion programs perform average or above average on standardized tests in academic achievement and demonstrate proficiency in two languages. Learn more about the benefits »

Classroom instruction

Immersion programs deliver the same curriculum offered in all district elementary schools

Students in the partial immersion language programs have two teachers each day, one teaching entirely in English and the other a native or near-native speaker of Japanese, Russian or Spanish. They learn the language and culture in a natural way in everyday classroom conversational situations and through subject content instruction. Subject matter is divided between the two languages according to content areas that best support second language instruction for the appropriate grade level.

Learn more about language immersion programs

Students in these "school-within-a-school" programs achieve the same academically as their monolingual English peers

About language immersion programs » (PDF)

Enrollment numbers for language immersion programs at ASD » (PDF)

Frequently asked questions about language immersion programs »

Dual language immersion - a teacher responds to questions »
By Kim Amaya, a Spanish immersion teacher at Government Hill Elementary

What Parents Want to Know About Foreign Language Immersion Programs (PDF)
Tara W. Fortune, Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition, University of Minnesota
Diane J. Tedick, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Minnesota

The five C's of foreign language education
"Connections - connect with other disciplines and acquire information"
Learn more about the national standards »