Denver Language School, a K-8 charter school within Denver Public Schools, is shaping the future of its students by offering a unique bilingual education in Spanish or Mandarin Chinese. By immersing students in these languages from a young age, the school is nurturing a generation of bilingual global citizens.
Over the past few years, the school’s enrollment has grown from about 700 students to over 900. The school teaches about 90% of its lessons in Spanish or Mandarin, creating an environment where students become fluent without relying on translations.
“We teach subjects like math, science, and social studies in Spanish,” said Valeria Minoli, a kindergarten Spanish immersion teacher. “Many subjects are only taught in Spanish.”
Students begin learning either Spanish or Mandarin in kindergarten and continue their studies in the same language track through eighth grade. In addition, the school is expanding its offerings to include French in the middle school next year, thanks to a new partnership with the French American School.
“Learning a language at such a young age makes it easier for students to pick it up and understand it better,” said Jessica Reed, assistant principal at Denver Language School.
While kindergartners face challenges in adapting to a new language, they quickly catch on.
“It’s like a game,” Minoli explained. “At first, they might not understand everything, but after just a couple of weeks, they know how to ask for things like lunch bags or water.”
The school’s language immersion program goes beyond teaching vocabulary and grammar. It helps students gain cultural awareness by introducing them to teachers from around the world, offering authentic cultural perspectives.
“They may have teachers from Mexico, Spain, and Colombia,” Reed said. “This gives them a deeper understanding of different cultures.”
By eighth grade, students reach fluency levels comparable to their English skills. Middle school students also have the opportunity to take international trips to countries like Spain, Taiwan, China, and Costa Rica, where they can apply their language skills in real-life situations.
Research shows that language immersion benefits students academically. According to the school’s website, students in immersion programs often perform better in math and English standardized tests by fifth grade. Additionally, those with high proficiency in multiple languages tend to score higher on tests like the SAT.
“Learning a language is like carrying a beautiful suitcase with you,” Minoli said. “You can travel, help others who don’t speak the language, and even improve your career opportunities.”
Students also see the value in being bilingual.
“My parents wanted me to learn a second language because it makes your brain stronger as you grow up,” said Emmaline Montague, an 8-year-old third grader.
The school has one of the highest waitlists for incoming kindergarteners in the district for both language programs. Reed credits much of the school’s success to its dedicated teachers.
“I believe our success comes down to our teachers,” Reed said. “We make sure they are well-supported and feel comfortable, which allows them to fully engage with and support our students.”
