Salem Public Schools to Apply to Expand Dual Language Program to Collins Middle School
Dual language expansion would prepare students for AP courses, Seal of Biliteracy
SALEM (Feb. 5, 2025) – With a little help and within a few years, the number of multilingual students to graduate from Salem High School will increase substantially.
With the success of the dual language program (English and Spanish) at the Bentley Academy Innovation School, Salem Public Schools is preparing to apply to create a second dual language pathway at the Collins Middle School beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
Establishing a dual language program at CMS is aligned with all four core values of the District’s Strategic Plan: elevating learning, empowering educators, centering belonging and strengthening the District’s foundation.
SPS will submit its preliminary application to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on Nov. 15, 2025. Upon acceptance, it will submit a final proposal on Jan. 1, 2026 with a response expected within 90 days.
Should DESE accept the proposal, SPS would open a dual language pathway for CMS students in grade six with the academic year 2026-27, allowing BAIS students to seamlessly transition to the middle school.
With consistent growth each year, the CMS dual language program would expand to grade seven students in 2027-28 and grade 8 students in 2028-29.
“At Bentley, we are all very excited that students will have the opportunity to build on their bilingual foundation in a dual language program at the middle school level,” said BAIS Principal Elizabeth Rogers. “Students are fortunate to continue on this path of doing academic work in both Spanish and English. This will be a lifelong benefit that will prepare them well for high school and beyond.”
André Fonseca, Director of Multilingual Learner Education at SPS, agrees and is hopeful of acceptance.
“I am optimistic that DESE will approve our application,” he said. “These extra three years of dual language education would prepare students to achieve the Seal of Biliteracy when they study Spanish at the high school level and to participate in Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, which would provide them with college credits.”
Along with a strategic proposal, the application process involves community support. “We would love to submit our application to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the fall of 2025 with as many letters of support from family and community members as possible,” said Mr. Fonseca.
“These students would receive the best model of English learner education by participating in a Dual Language program,” he added. “They will build and maintain their literacy skills in the Spanish language, their first language, while also serving as excellent models of spoken Spanish for students currently enrolled in the program.”
The dual language program at BAIS began in 2020 and involves students receiving instruction in both Spanish and in English, with the goal of ensuring all students finish grade 5 completely bilingual and biliterate at the grade 5 level. Dual language students are also expected to achieve high levels of academic achievement and sociocultural competence.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.
