Students demonstrate Spanish immersion at Frederick Douglass Elementary
Summary
Students and teachers from Frederick Douglass Elementary showcased the division’s Spanish immersion model—content-based instruction for math and science and daily Spanish blocks—demonstrating classroom routines and language-acquisition activities for the Winchester Public School Board.
Frederick Douglass Elementary students and teachers presented a live demonstration of the school’s Spanish immersion program during the Winchester Public School Board meeting on Dec. 8, 2025. Teachers described a model that delivers most math and science instruction in Spanish for grades K–4 and supplements that content-based immersion with a smaller block of direct Spanish-language instruction.
"As everybody knows, Frederick Douglass is dual language school, our first in Winchester," said the presenter, explaining that students spend roughly two-and-a-half hours a day in Spanish classrooms and learn language through subject matter rather than through isolated language drills. The presenters highlighted the Haggerty program, used in both English and Spanish, which targets the four language domains—reading, writing, speaking and listening—to support oral language development.
Students demonstrated typical classroom routines and brief lessons intended to show how the immersion model supports both academic content and language acquisition. Presenters explained that teachers follow the same division pacing guides and standards while adapting instruction for Spanish-language delivery, and they use visual aids, anchor charts and cognates to help students connect Spanish words to English equivalents.
Board members and audience members praised the students’ performance and the program’s progress. A parent in the audience complimented the students’ comprehension and encouraged the board to continue supporting the program.
The presentation was followed by brief audience remarks before the meeting moved on to the agenda’s business items.
