Dual Language

Highline offers elementary dual language programs at Hazel Valley, Hilltop, Madrona, Midway, Mount View and White Center Heights elementary schools. Secondary middle school programs are available at Cascade, Chinook, Glacier and Pacific middle schools. Secondary high school programs are available at Evergreen, Highline and Tyee high schools.

If you have questions or would like to enroll in Dual Language, please visit our enrollment pages:

Students in Highline’s elementary dual language programs receive 50% of their instruction in English and 50% in Spanish or Vietnamese and are taught by qualified bilingual teachers. Students learn across content areas in both languages. The program includes students who are native speakers of English, Spanish, Vietnamese and many other languages.

Highline’s secondary dual language programs typically offer a language arts course in Spanish or Vietnamese and one course in the math, social studies or science taught in Spanish or Vietnamese.  Additional electives may be offered.  Schools’ offerings may vary based on staff availability and student interest. 

• Being bilingual is good for the brain.
• Students in a dual language program have higher academic achievement.
• Bilingual people have greater economic opportunities than people who don’t speak two languages.
• Students in a dual language program learn about and respect other cultures and languages.
• Students benefit from a dual language program most when enrolled for 6 years or more.

• After English, Spanish and Vietnamese are the most frequently spoken languages by students and families in our district.
• There are more resources and teachers available for these languages.
• There are many future job opportunities for Spanish and Vietnamese speakers in our community.

White Center Heights Elementary School launched a Somali Language Enrichment Program in  in 2023-24 school year. 

Kindergarten, first and second grade students not enrolled in the Spanish or Vietnamese dual language program will receive 30-60 minutes of Somali language learning during the school day. For the remainder of the school day, students will have English instruction. 

The Somali language enrichment program is the next step in considering the development of a full Somali-English Dual Language program at a later date.