Garvey School DistrictProviding a premier education in a 21st century learning environment to develop tomorrow's responsible leaders.

Skip to main content
Mobile Menu
Programs » DUAL LANGUAGE+ PROGRAM FAQs

DUAL LANGUAGE+ PROGRAM FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 
APPLICATION REVIEW
 
Are applications processed on a first-come, first-served basis?
Applications will be processed on a first-come first-served basis.
 
What if there are more applications than seats available for the program?
There will be a waitlist. If space in the class opens up, we will accommodate the next student on the waitlist.
 
When will I be notified of my child's acceptance into the Dual Language+ Program?
Parents will receive notification (by mail and email) regarding the status of their application by mid-April for the 2025-26 school year. Once you receive the acceptance letter and enrollment instructions for your child, you may begin enrolling your child online (or begin the release process, if you are part of another school district).
 
My child is already in the Dual Language+ Program. Do I need to reapply?
If your child is currently enrolled in the Dual Language Plus Program, you do not need to reapply. Your child will automatically be enrolled in the program each year. However, you do need to register your child as a continuing student each year through the ParentPortal: https://garveyesd.aeries.net/student/LoginParent.aspx.
 
If my child has siblings attending one of the Dual Language+ schools, does he / she receive priority?
Priority will not be given if your child has siblings already attending one of the Dual Language+ schools. We do recommend that you apply as soon as possible as applications are accepted on a first-come, first served basis.

My family is in the military. Does my child receive priority for the Dual Language+ Program?
Priority will not be given for military families. We do recommend that you apply as soon as possible as applications are accepted on a first-come, first served basis.
 
 
CLASS SCHEDULE & INSTRUCTION METHOD
 
Do students learn traditional or simplified Mandarin in the Chinese/English Dual Language+ Program?
Simplified Mandarin
 
Will the program be provided as in-person instruction, distance learning, or hybrid?
The program will follow the model of regular daytime in-person instruction for the 2025-2026 school year.
 
What time do classes begin and end?
Classes start at 8:20 a.m. and end at 2:35 p.m. (except for Minimum Day Wednesday, when classes end at 1:35 p.m.). The Dual Language Enrichment Program (approx. 30 minutes for two times a week) will occur during the school day to develop appreciation for Chinese or Spanish language and culture through visual and performing arts.
 
Which subjects are taught in Spanish/Chinese versus English?
 
Spanish & English Dual Language+ Program:
Spanish & English Dual Language+ Program
 
Chinese & English Dual Language+ Program:
Chinese & English Dual Language+ Program: 
 
ELIGIBILITY
 
My child will be Preschool or Transitional Kinder (TK) age in 2025-26 school year. Is my child still eligible to enter the Dual Language+ Program?
We do not have a Dual Language+ Program for Preschool. You may submit an application and your child will receive priority consideration class when he/she turns 5 years of age.
 
However, beginning in 2025-26, we will launch a Transitional Kinder (TK) class at Duff Language Magnet Academy (Chinese/English only).
 
Hillcrest Elementary (Chinese/English) and Dewey Elementary (Spanish/English) Dual Language+ Programs will continue to have programs for students in Kindergarten through Grade 6. For Hillcrest and Dewey, TK students will have less priority than Kinder students during the admission process. You may submit an application and if space becomes available, the district may consider TK students to enter the Dual Language+ Program Kinder class. If your child is not considered in 2025-26, your child will receive priority consideration for the 2026-27 Dual Language+ Program Kinder class when he/she turns 5 years of age.
 
My child will be Grade 1 through Grade 6 for 2025-26 school year. Is my child still eligible to enter the Dual Language+ Program?
We accept students Grade 1 through Grade 6 for the Dual Language+ Program. Acceptance depends upon:
 
1) Student’s Language Proficiency: students must pass the language proficiency assessment in the target program language (Spanish or Chinese) and demonstrate grade level appropriate language readiness for the Dual Language+ Program. Students will be tested in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
 
2) Space Availability: There are very limited spaces available for the Grade 1-6 Dual Language+ Program classes. Acceptance of qualified applicants will be determined by the availability of space for the requested grade level and/or school. IF there is space availability, you will be contacted to have your child participate in a language assessment in the target language. Assessments usually take 30-45 minutes and will be conducted by the teacher.
 
 
ENROLLMENT
 
My child has been accepted into the Dual Language+ Program. When should I enroll my child?
Please DO NOT complete online enrollment until you receive a notification letter for your child to the Dual Language+ Program (usually by mid to late April). At that time, you will also receive special instructions on how to complete Garvey School District online enrollment. (Note: Improper online enrollment may delay the acceptance of your child to the program.)
 
Regardless of the outcome of your Dual Language+ Program application, please be assured that there will always be space availability for your child in the regular English program at Garvey School District.
 
I live outside Garvey School District boundaries. Could I still apply for my child to enter the program? 
Garvey School District accepts students from all outside school districts. On your Dual Language+ Program application, under “Home School,” enter the district (and school) your child is currently attending. If your child is accepted to the Dual Language+ Program, you will need to follow the instructions below to properly enroll your child: 
 
STEP ONE: Inter-District Transfer Application 
  • Obtain a release permit (aka “Inter-District Transfer “Release” Approval”) from your home district of residence. You may need to provide a copy of your child’s Dual Language+ Program acceptance letter.
STEP TWO:  Inter-District Transfer “Accept” Application
STEP THREE: Online Enrollment
  • Complete the Garvey School District online enrollment form to enroll your child as a new student: https://www.garvey.k12.ca.us/apps/pages/enrollment-new-students
  • Instructions:
  • Home Address: Enter the Dual Language+ Program SCHOOL Address
  • Mailing Address: Enter your HOME Address.
  • Answer the rest of the questions on the Online Enrollment Form. 
STEP FOUR: Verification Documents
 
My child has been accepted to the Dual Language+ Program. I live within Garvey School District boundaries, but my home school is a different school. What do I do?
You do NOT need to file any intra-district permit to transfer from your home school to the Dual Language+ School. This will be done automatically for you each year that your child is participating in the Dual Language+ Program.

My child will be in Transitional Kinder -or- Kinder during the 2025-26 school year. I live within the Garvey School District. What do I need to do?
 
Transitional Kinder:
 
Kinder:
 
When should I submit my registration verification documents?
After completing online enrollment, please submit copies of your registration verification documents directly to your Dual Language school of acceptance. Please contact your child’s school if you have any questions.
 
 
 
CHANGES & WITHDRAWALS
 
I already submitted an application but would like to change the Dual Language school. How could I change my preference?
If your child has not yet been accepted to the Dual Language+ Program, we may be able to change your Dual Language school preference. However, depending on space availability, your child may be placed at the bottom of the waiting list. Once the school year begins, we do NOT allow transfers from one Dual Language+ Program to another, except for exceptional circumstances. Students may only transfer from a Dual Language+ Program to a regular English class. Please notify [email protected].
 
My release request was denied by my home school district. What should I do?
You may appeal the request from your home school district and submit the following reason:

Reason for Request = Specialized Program
Garvey School District’s Dual Language+ Program is a Specialized Program. It provides the mandatory 30-minute during the school day Enrichment Program for a third language experience. This mandatory portion of the program aims to develop an appreciation for Spanish and/or Chinese language and culture through visual and performing arts.
  • Spanish & English+ Program: follows a 90:10 model, enhanced with an additional third language (Chinese) experience offered during the school day for approximately 30 minutes for two days a week. -- OR --
  • Chinese & English+ Program: follows a 50:50 model, enhanced with an additional third language (Spanish) experience offered during the school day for approximately 30 minutes for two days a week.
 
If you still have issues obtaining your permit, please reach out to Rene Hernandez, Assistant Superintendent, Student Support Services, by phone at (626) 307-3427 or by email at <[email protected]>.
 
I would like to withdraw my child from the Dual Language+ Program and enroll him/her in regular English class. What do I need to do?
Please notify your school office and also email the district at [email protected].
 
 
OTHER PROGRAMS
 
Can I enroll my child in the Woodcraft Rangers After-School Program? 
The Woodcraft Rangers After-School Program provides all students, including Dual Language+ Program students, with after school enrichment care Monday through Friday until 6:00 p.m. Dual Language+ Program parents must apply for the Woodcraft Rangers After-School Program at the same time as all other parents.
 
Parents will receive an email in July or August notifying them about the Woodcraft Rangers Program application process. If you do not receive an email, call the district office at (626) 307-3400, or go to your school's office to obtain an application, and submit the completed form to your school's office.
 
If your child is currently enrolled in or accepted to the Dual Language+ Program, please write “Dual Language Program” at the top of your Woodcraft Rangers application.
 
Can I enroll my child to receive meals at school? 
Yes. All students are eligible for free or reduced-cost breakfast and lunch. Apply for meal benefits on SchoolCafe: https://www.schoolcafe.com/. For more information, please visit: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=0605082306458427
 

Where can I find more information?
 
Or, please contact us at [email protected].
 
 
 
THANK YOU!