Catawba County Schools is proud to offer a Spanish Dual Language Immersion program now at FOUR area schools: St. Stephens Elementary, Sherrills Ford Elementary, Startown Elementary, and Lyle Creek 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.  ​

AVAILABILITY for 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR

*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. 
At Sherrills Ford Elementary, Lyle Creek 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.
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Beginning February 24, 2025, you may submit your child's application online for the 2025-26 Spanish Immersion Program at Sherrills Ford Elementary, Startown Elementary, Lyle Creek 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 2025-26

  • Monday, February 3, 2025, at 5:30 PM - IN-PERSON Cultural Showcase and Parent Information Night for Startown Elementary 
  • Monday, February 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM - IN-PERSON Parent Information Night for Lyle Creek Elementary
  • Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 5:30 PM - IN-PERSON Parent Information Night at Sherrills Ford Elementary
  • Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 5:30 PM - IN-PERSON Parent Information Night for St. Stephens Elementary (presented in English)
  • Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 6:30 PM - IN-PERSON Parent Information Night for St. Stephens Elementary (presented in Spanish)
  • ​Monday, February 24, 2025, at 8:00 AM - Spanish Immersion Application Period Begins online (click here to apply (waitlist only after 3/10/25)
  • Monday, March 10, 2025, at 12:00 PM - Spanish Immersion Applications Acceptance Ends​​
  • Friday, March 15, 2025 - Acceptance/Waitlist Letters are Mailed Out
  • Monday, March 24, 2025, 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 24, 2025, at 8:00AM, you may request enrollment for your child by applying online or at any of the four schools.  Admittance is first-come first-served, with precedence only given to siblings of students already in the program. The application period ends on March 10, 2025, at 12:00PM and acceptance letters/waitlist letters will be mailed out on March 14th.
Catawba County Schools  | 2285 N Anderson Ave | Newton, NC 28658 |  Phone: (828) 464-8333 | www.catawbaschools.net
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