See our programs in action!

*Startown Elementary is not featured in this district video but their 90/10 Immersion Program mirrors that of Sherrills Ford Elementary. 

Catawba County Schools is proud to offer a Spanish Dual Language Immersion program at three area schools: St. Stephens Elementary, Sherrills Ford Elementary, and Startown Elementary beginning in Kindergarten.

Language immersion programs are an exciting option for parents who want their children to have the advantages of a rigorous academic program while also learning two languages – English and a target language. In a Spanish immersion program, Spanish is not taught as a subject; Spanish is the language in which instruction is delivered.  ​


​Sherrills Ford Elementary

Full Immersion
90% Spanish | 10% English
​
2023-24 Programs
​Kindergarten 
1st-Grade*
2nd-Grade*
3rd-Grade*
​4th-Grade*
​5th-Grade*
​6th-Grade*
 Picture

St. Stephens Elementary

Dual Immersion
50% Spanish | 50% English

2023-24 Programs
Kindergarten 
1st-Grade*
2nd-Grade*
​3rd-Grade*
4th-Grade*
​5th-Grade*
 Picture

 Startown Elementary

Dual Immersion
90% Spanish | 10% English

2023-24 Programs
Kindergarten 
1st-Grade*
2nd-Grade*
​3rd-Grade*

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*Please note: At this time, we are only accepting students into our kindergarten programs unless your student is transferring from another similar Spanish Immersion Program and will be considered on an individual basis and we have an opening in the grade level in which you are interested. Please contact the school directly if you are interested in entering the program beyond kindergarten. 

AVAILABILITY for 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR

At Sherrills Ford Elementary and Startown Elementary,  kindergarten students will receive approximately 90% of instruction in Spanish and 10% will be in English to facilitate early Spanish language acquisition and literacy development. As students transition to higher grades, more of the instruction shifts to English. 
At St. Stephens Elementary, students will begin kindergarten with a 50/50 model of 50% English and 50% Spanish. The 50/50 model is ideal when there is an equal mix of native English speakers and native Spanish speakers.
​
Beginning February 27, 2023, you may submit your child's application online for the 2023-24 Spanish Immersion Program at Sherrills Ford Elementary, Startown Elementary, and/or St. Stephens Elementary. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis for all students. ​​Siblings of current Spanish Immersion Program students have priority during the application window. 

Key Dates for 2023-24

  • Monday, February 13, 2023, at 6:00 PM - IN-PERSON Parent Information Night for Startown Elementary 
  • Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 5:30 PM - IN-PERSON Parent Information Night at Sherrills Ford Elementary
  • Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 5:30 PM - IN-PERSON Parent Information Night for St. Stephens Elementary (presented in English)
  • Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 6:30 PM - IN-PERSON Parent Information Night for St. Stephens Elementary (presented in Spanish)
  • ​Monday, February 27, 2023, at 8:00 AM - Spanish Immersion Application Period Begins online (click here to apply (waitlist only after 3/13/23)
  • Monday, March 13, 2023, at 12:00 PM - Spanish Immersion Applications Acceptance Ends​​
  • Thursday, March 16, 2023 - Acceptance/Waitlist Letters are Mailed Out
  • Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 3:30 PM - Deadline to Accept Position

LEARN THE BENEFITS OF BOTH PROGRAMS

The Science
 Science shows that children who learn in more than one language actually improve their brain function. In fact, nearly 40 years of research has shown that immersion students score higher on standardized tests than non-immersion students.​ 

FAQs

Top Questions Parents Ask

Will my child fall behind?
The short answer is no. Research shows that immersion students actually surpass their non-immersion peers in standardized tested despite not having formal English instruction.
I don't speak Spanish. How do I help with homework?
Your child's homework should support what he has learned in class, so students should be able to tackle the assignment on their own with little help from parents. 
Will End of Grade (EOG) testing be in English or Spanish?
All state-mandated assessments, like the EOGs, will be taken in English. 

Applying is Easy!

HOW TO ENROLL
Beginning on February 27, 2023, at 8:00AM, you may request enrollment for your child by applying online or at any of the three schools.  Admittance is first-come first-served. The application period ends on March 13, 2023, at 12:00PM and acceptance letters/waitlist letters will be mailed out on March 16th.
Catawba County Schools  | 2285 N Anderson Ave | Newton, NC 28658 |  Phone: (828) 464-8333 | www.catawbaschools.net
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