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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has announced an expansion of its Dual Language Education (DLE) and World Language Education (WLE) programs, as part of a four-year plan to increase bilingual and biliterate opportunities for students. Interim Superintendent/CEO Dr. Macquline King stated that three new schools will offer Dual Language Education in Spanish and English, and three schools will introduce new World Language Education programs in Spanish, starting this year.
The district reports that more than 240 schools currently provide World Language Education, and 43 schools have DLE programs. The expansion aligns with CPS’s strategic vision and follows a recent agreement with the Chicago Teachers Union, aiming to address community needs and broaden access to language education.
“The expansion of these critical programs highlights the District’s commitment to providing students with a well-rounded and high-quality education including knowledge and multilingual skills that will serve these scholars for life,” said Dr. Macquline King. “This targeted investment reflects our dedication to preparing students for success in college, careers and civic life.”
The new Dual Language Education schools are Henry D. Lloyd Elementary School, Little Village Elementary School, and Edward E. Sadlowski Elementary School. The program typically starts in preschool or kindergarten and continues through eighth grade, focusing on developing bilingualism and biliteracy in English and Spanish through an integrated curriculum across academic subjects.
CPS aims for its Dual Language Program to help students become fully bilingual and biliterate, achieve strong academic results in both languages, and develop sociocultural competence. The initiative also seeks to preserve students’ home languages and cultures while promoting equity across the district.
The district plans to expand its Dual Language Program during the 2025-2026 school year to 40 elementary schools, three high schools, and three charter schools, up from 37 elementary schools last year.
Darwin Elementary recently hosted members of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) as part of the organization’s pre-convention tour, highlighting CPS’s dual language efforts. Darwin Principal Daniel De Los Reyes commented on the impact: “In just three years since adopting the Spanish Language Arts (SLA) curriculum at Darwin, we have seen a 33 percent increase in students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards in reading. This proves that when instruction honors students’ identities while maintaining high expectations, bilingual learners don’t just succeed—they soar,” he said. “The ALAS visit affirms that Chicago Public Schools is trailblazing a model for the nation—one where bilingualism is not a barrier to overcome but a strength to lead with.”
The new World Language Education programs will be introduced at Louis Nettelhorst Elementary School, Edgar Allan Poe Classical School, and George B. Swift Elementary Specialty School. More than 100,000 CPS students study world languages at 247 schools throughout the district, covering languages such as American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Polish, and Spanish.
These programs aim to build proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing while promoting cultural understanding and supporting academic achievement. The district’s five-year strategic plan includes the Multilingual Pathways Expansion (MPE) initiative to meet diverse student needs.
CPS’s Office of Multilingual and Multicultural Education (OMME) evaluated schools based on current language offerings, demographics, community needs, and available resources before selecting participants for this year’s expansion.
“We provided schools with the support and guidance needed to fully understand the level of commitment and work required to implement these programs successfully,” said CPS OMME Chief Karime Asaf. “This expansion is designed to have the most significant impact in school communities that have the most pressing needs for multilingual services.”
Participating schools will receive ongoing support throughout the year, including professional development for teachers, curriculum resources, and community engagement initiatives.
