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Southampton schools outline 60/40 Spanish–English dual-language model, opt-out rules and parent training
Summary
District leaders described a side-by-side 60/40 Spanish/English dual-language model for 2026–27 with no lottery, a one-year opt-in/opt-out commitment, weekly "Scale Up" exposure for all students, parent trainings, and planned posting of a dual-language handbook over the summer.
The Southampton Union Free School District presented a finalized design for a K–grade dual-language program that will begin roll-out in 2026–27, including enrollment mechanics and family support plans.
According to the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, the district settled on a side-by-side instructional model that allocates roughly 60 percent Spanish and 40 percent English instruction in the dual-language classroom. The program will not require a lottery; families may opt in or opt out but must commit for one school year to avoid midyear transiency that complicates classroom instruction.
All students will continue to have access to a weekly 40-minute "Scale Up" Spanish culture and language exposure session, described as analogous to other exploratory encore offerings (art, music, movement) rather than core dual-language literacy instruction. The administration said Scale Up is intended for every grade and will shuffle students across sections so dual-language and non-dual-language students interact regularly.
The district plans to add parent training on dual-language supports to its Parent University in 2026–27 and to publish a K–4 dual-language handbook on the district website this summer. Administrators said implementation will include ongoing professional development for teachers to support a relatively new staff and multiple tenure candidates.
Board members asked about accommodations and participation. Administrators said students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) who opt into the dual-language model will have access to an ICO teacher. Board members also asked for counts of opt-outs; administrators reported roughly 60 students had opted out across the district, with some grade-level opt-outs as small as eight students.
The assistant superintendent said the model was chosen to increase parental choice, support inclusion and align with Part 154 guidance for English language learners. The board asked for continued updates, a clear handbook and strengthened communication to families before the 2026–27 school year.
Next steps: the dual-language handbook will be posted over the summer; administrators will offer parent trainings in the coming year and continue professional development for staff.
