student with laptopSpanish Dual Immersion Language Program (DLI)

Assistant Superintendent
Scott Wihongi | 801-264-7400 | swihongi@murrayschools.org

Principal – Horizon Elementary School
Mindy Ball | 801-264-7420 | mball@murrayschools.org

Office Hours: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

5102 Commerce Drive | Building #1 | Murray, Utah 84107
Phone: 801-264-7400 | Fax: 801-264-7456

We strongly encourage all parents/guardians of all current kindergarten and first grade students to attend to be informed about this wonderful opportunity for their children to learn to speak, read, and write in English and Spanish! If you want to attend a virtual meeting with more information, please contact Mindy Ball at mball@murrayschools.org for the link to the meeting.

PLEASE NOTE – An online application must be filled out and submitted for a student to be considered to participate in the DLI Spanish Program (including siblings of students already in the program). Here are some important dates:

  • An informational meeting will be held on January 9, 2024, from 6-7 pm over ZOOM
  • The online application will be available on the Horizon Elementary website beginning January 8, 2024
  • The online application must be submitted before 4:00 p.m. on January 26, 2024.
  • Go to the Horizon Elementary website to view the application
  • Applications submitted after the deadline will be put on a waiting list
  • Parents will be notified of selection or placement on the waitlist between January 29th and February 2, 2024.

QUESTIONS? Please contact:
Mindy Ball, Principal Horizon Elementary at mball@murrayschools.org

  • Second Language Skills: Students achieve high proficiency in the immersion language.
  • Improved Performance on Standardized Tests: Immersion students perform as well as or better than non-immersion students on standardized tests of English and math when administered in English.
  • Enhanced Cognitive Skills: Immersion students typically develop greater cognitive flexibility, demonstrating increased attention control, better memory, and superior problem-solving skills, as well as an enhanced understanding of their primary language.
  • Increased Cultural Sensitivity: Immersion students are more aware of and show more positive attitudes towards other cultures and an appreciation of other people.
  • Long Term Benefits: Immersion students are better prepared for the global community and job markets where a second language is an asset.

Elementary School
Mindy Ball, Principal Horizon Elementary at mball@murrayschools.org
801-264-7420, Ext. 5765

Dual Language Immersion instruction is divided between two high-quality creative classrooms:

  1. One English
  2. One in the Second Language (Spanish in MCSD)

The Utah Dual Language Immersion Program uses a fifty-fifty model, in which students spend half of their school day in the target language and the other half-day in English

Junior High School
Earl Kauffman, Principal Riverview Junior High School
801-264-7446

The Utah Dual Language Immersion Program offers two courses in grades seven through nine: one content course in the target language and a second course in advanced language study. Participating students are expected to enroll in Advanced Placement language coursework and complete the AP exam in the ninth grade.

High School
Quinn Linde, Principal Murray High School
801-264-7460

Utah’s DLI Bridge Program offers an advanced language pathway for high school students who have passed the AP Language and Culture exam. Students have the opportunity to complete one to three Bridge courses while in high school, earning both high school and university credits. A student who completes three Bridge courses will graduate from high school with nine upper-division college credits that count towards a major or minor in the language of study.

FAQs for the Dual Immersion Learning program

Please note: Students who reside within the Murray School District boundaries will be given priority placement. Enrollment will be open to non-Murray residents if there is space available.