Why DLS
Mission
To achieve academic excellence and intercultural competence through language immersion education.
Our Vision
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To become a model of students acquiring superior second language skills as the basis for high overall academic achievement.
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To develop the knowledge and skills in students necessary to be productive and valued citizens in a culturally diverse, global economy.
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To prepare all students to be academically successful in their choice of secondary and post secondary education options.
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To create an innovative school that can be replicated in Colorado and nationally.
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Language Immersion Videos
Why Immersion?
Language and communication are at the heart of the human experience. Colorado must educate students who are equipped linguistically and culturally to communicate successfully in a multicultural American society and abroad. Therefore, it is necessary for the United States and the State of Colorado to provide educational opportunities for all students from pre-school through university level to develop and maintain proficiency in English and in at least one or more other modern or classical languages.
Competence in more than one language and its cultures enables people to communicate with those of other cultures in a variety of settings and develop insight.
Language immersion provides a host of educational benefits for your child:
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Immersion is the most effective method of language instruction in the U.S.—and the fastest growing.
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Having a second language increases a child’s skills in abstract reasoning, listening and problem-solving, allowing them to excel in other subjects. In fact, studies show that immersion students outperform their non-immersion peers in math and English standardized subtests by fifth grade.
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Students who have high levels of proficiency in two or more languages score better on tests like the SAT, giving them an edge in college applications.
And important benefits for your child later in life:
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Being bilingual opens doors to a world of important and higher-paying career opportunities in a global workforce.
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Immersion education expands cultural awareness and understanding, and creates empathetic and knowledgeable world citizens.
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4 out of 5 new jobs in Colorado are directly related to international trade.
Articles & Research
Language immersion education has been in practice and under study for decades both in the US and abroad. Many articles and research papers have been published showcasing its benefits and challenges. Here are a few to help you learn more:
“Bilingualism is diversity, tolerance, understanding, richness, power…celebration.”
-Frank Smith
FAQ
Charter School Frequently Asked Questions
DLS is a tuition-free public charter school serving around 970 students. Colorado has 179 public school districts, and over 110 of them have fewer than 1,000 students. This means we’re essentially the size of a small district, with similar responsibilities in governance, finances, staffing, and operations. If you have any questions, please reach out to camilla@denverlanguageschool.org
- What is a charter school?
- Why were charter schools created?
- How is DLS funded?
- Who is responsible for student enrollment?
- What services and functions does DLS manage independently?
- What role does DPS play as our authorizer?
- Why is it important for staff and families to understand this structure?