Dual Immersion

Horizon Elementary Website Dual Immersion Program

Video Overview of Program (English) | Video Overview of Program (Spanish)

Attendance to the Q&A is not required.  We encourage parents/guardians of current kindergarten students to attend to be informed about this opportunity for their children to learn content and academic vocabulary in both English and Spanish.

We strongly encourage all parents/guardians of all current kindergarten students to attend to be informed about this wonderful opportunity for their children to learn to speak, read, and write both English and Spanish! If you want to attend a virtual meeting with more information, please contact Megan Kunzler at mkunzler@murrayschools.org.

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

• An informational meeting will be January 26, 2023, 6-7 pm over ZOOM
• The online application will be available on the Horizon Elementary website beginning January 30, 2023
• The online application must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on February 17, 2023
• 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 by February 24, 2023

QUESTIONS? Please contact:
Mindy Ball, Principal Horizon Elementary at mball@murrayschools.org or Scott Wihongi, Assistant Superintendent

• 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.

• University of Utah Secondary Bridge Program/YouTube presentation
• Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA)
• Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL)

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.