Charles County to open countywide dual‑language immersion lottery at Middleton; 25 kindergarten seats available

Charles County Public Schools staff told the Board of Education Oct. 14 that the district will open a countywide lottery for a dual‑language (Spanish–English) immersion strand at Middleton Elementary for fall 2026. The program will initially offer approximately 25 kindergarten seats; staff said there may be additional openings in first and second grade depending on current enrollment at Middleton.

Autumn Hoffman, the district English‑learner and bilingual content specialist, said the lottery and application structure are intended to be equitable and to preserve the research‑based composition of dual‑language classes. Key points:

- Seats and language balance: The target is to maintain a classroom composition that includes a minimum of roughly 30 percent Spanish‑speaking students (the minority language) and no more than a 70/30 imbalance, which research shows supports bilingual development.

- Eligibility and proficiency screening: Students in first or second grade who apply for a later entry point will be screened for Spanish language proficiency; staff said second‑grade entrants must demonstrate sufficient Spanish ability because students who start later have greater difficulty catching up in Spanish literacy development.

- Timeline: Two parent information nights were scheduled (one in person and one virtual) and videos will be posted online. The application window opens Jan. 5 and closes Feb. 8; the lottery will be run Feb. 11, and families will be notified by Feb. 20. Enrollment steps must be completed by March/April to finalize kindergarten rosters.

- Transportation and logistics: Families must provide transportation to Middleton; the district said it will advertise widely and provide interpretation help and registration assistance during early‑registration events.

Staff stressed that public and nonpublic county children may apply and that the district will advertise via communications channels and at schools. Several board members praised the program and urged staff to consider future continuity into middle school options for participating cohorts.

Why it matters: Dual‑language immersion is a high‑impact model for bilingualism and biliteracy; opening a countywide lottery expands access beyond Middleton’s immediate neighborhood but imposes transportation requirements on families.

What’s next: Staff will post the application and online videos, run two information nights, and execute the lottery and subsequent enrollment steps for kindergarten and possible limited first/second grade seats.