The Avon Grove School District is continuing to expand its Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, building on the program’s successful launch in the 2022–2023 school year and providing more students the opportunity to become bilingual, biliterate, and culturally competent learners.
Since launching in the 2022–2023 school year with 44 kindergarten students, Avon Grove School District’s DLI program has steadily expanded as cohorts progress through each grade level. Today, 195 students are enrolled in the program, which is roughly 3.5% of all students in the district. The program will continue to expand annually, reaching fourth grade in 2026–27 and fifth grade in 2027–28.
Beyond elementary school, the district is planning a continued pathway for students, with a middle school transition beginning between 2028 and 2031 and a high school transition beginning in 2031, culminating in students earning the PA Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation.
Avon Grove is one of only four school districts in Pennsylvania currently operating a program of this kind, positioning the district as a leader in bilingual education and long-term language learning opportunities for students. Students learn through a 50/50 immersion model, spending half of the school day receiving instruction in English and the other half in Spanish. Through this approach, students develop literacy in both languages while learning core subjects such as reading, math, science, and social studies.
“As the program continues to expand, we are seeing students gain confidence not only in two languages, but also in their ability to connect with classmates from different backgrounds,” said Emlyn Frangiosa, Supervisor of Teaching and Learning, who oversees the Dual Language Immersion Program. “Dual language education recognizes bilingualism as a true asset. Future ready skills such as communication, collaboration, resilience, and cultural awareness are all fostered through two-way immersion.”
Research consistently shows that students enrolled in dual language immersion programs often meet or exceed grade-level expectations and develop strong communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. In addition to academic benefits, these programs foster cultural awareness and collaboration among students.
Superintendent Dr. Scott DeShong noted that the continued growth of the program reflects the district’s long-term commitment to innovative learning opportunities that prepare students for the future.
“We are proud to offer Chester County’s only dual language immersion program,” said Dr. DeShong. “As the program expands each year, we are creating opportunities for students to develop valuable language skills, cultural awareness, and global perspectives that will benefit them throughout their education and future careers.”
The district designed the program with a long-term vision in mind. As the original cohorts progress through the grades, Avon Grove plans to continue evaluating opportunities to expand the program to serve more students and extend the immersion pathway in future years.
Beyond benefiting students within the district, the program also positions Avon Grove as a regional leader in bilingual education. District leaders have begun sharing insights and lessons learned with neighboring schools interested in developing similar programs.
The Dual Language Immersion program represents a long-term investment in student success — academically, culturally, and globally — and reflects Avon Grove’s commitment to preparing students to thrive in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
For more information about the Avon Grove School District Dual Language Immersion Program, visit https://www.avongrove.org/schools/elementary-school/dlip.
