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Buncombe County Schools highlights dual-language expansion and student biliteracy gains
Summary
District leaders outlined the scope and growth of Buncombe County Schools’ dual language (English-Spanish) program — serving 941 K–5 students now and adding a kindergarten cohort at Sand Hill Venable next year — and a middle-school student described personal gains from the program and the Conexiones experience.
Superintendent and district curriculum leaders used the April 2 board meeting to spotlight Buncombe County Schools’ dual language program and its planned expansion.
Dr. Reed introduced elementary and secondary directors who said the district currently employs 48 K–5 dual language teachers and 11 Conexiones teachers serving 941 K–5 students. The presenters said the district uses a 90/10 immersion model in kindergarten and first grade that gradually shifts toward about 50% English/50% Spanish by fifth grade to support biliteracy.
Ms. Ponder and Dr. Lanahan described program structure and curriculum. They said K–5 students receive content instruction in Spanish using materials such as the Illustrative Math K–5 curriculum delivered in Spanish and that Conexiones in middle school continues language and content work with coaching support from Participate, a partner that the district said helps recruit and onboard international teachers.
District leaders said seven elementary schools currently host dual language tracks and that Sand Hill Venable will launch a kindergarten dual language cohort next year, bringing the count to eight. They also said Conexiones coursework can earn middle schoolers high-school credit (Heritage Spanish 1 and 2) and that students typically place into higher-level high school Spanish courses after an eighth-grade placement test.
The presentation included district data that, according to speakers, show dual language students “do as well as or even better than” their peers on end-of-grade reading and mathematics assessments in grades three through five. Presenters also noted benefits for native Spanish speakers in mixed classrooms, including literacy development in their home language alongside English.
A current AC Reynolds Middle School student and former Oakley dual-language participant, Ivana Lowly, told the board the program “helped me form lifelong relationships” and expanded her career and leadership opportunities through events like CAD (Conexiones for Diplomatic Action). “The Spanish program helps you take down barriers with people who don't speak English,” she said.
Board members asked brief clarifying questions about which high schools currently have dual-language cohorts; presenters listed Owen, TC (titled in the meeting as "TC"), and Reynolds as schools with students who progressed from the district’s dual-language pathway. The board did not take votes on program changes during the meeting.
District leaders said they will continue to map high-school progression options for students coming through Conexiones and encouraged families to use the district arts calendar and website for event dates.
The presentation concluded with applause and an offer from staff to answer follow-up questions at future meetings.
