Kelly Elementary School has hit an important milestone this year: The Dual Language program is now offered to students at every grade level in the building, from prekindergarten through grade 5. The program has grown incrementally over the years, adding an additional grade level each year to ensure participating students can continue to develop their language skills in both English and Spanish as they progress through elementary school.
Next fall will mark a new milestone: For the first time since the Dual Language program launched, Kelly will be sending its first class of Dual Language students to Sullivan Middle School in the fall. Dual Language is offered at both Kelly and E.N. White for elementary students, at Sullivan for middle school students, and at Holyoke High School North for high school students.
“Our Dual Language Program provides innovative learning opportunities for participating students, with all grade-level subjects taught in both English and Spanish every day,” said Associate Director of Dual Language Learning Laura Espinoza Mufson. “The goal is for students to reach high levels of academic achievement, bilingualism, and biliteracy in a safe and engaging learning environment that values multiculturalism while preparing students for college and careers.”
How to enroll your child in the Dual Language program next year
While the Dual Language program is right for all students, enrollment slots are not unlimited, Ms. Espinoza Mufson said, and there are age restrictions as well.
For the 2026-27 school year, students entering preschool must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2026. All students applying for grades 1 and up will need to be evaluated to determine their verbal, written, and reading level in Spanish. Students must meet the Spanish language criteria for the grade they are applying to in order to be accepted into that grade.
Students are accepted into the Dual Language Program through three lottery rounds: Round 1, Round 2, and Rolling Admission. “We aim to accept an equal balance of students that are Spanish-dominant speakers, English-dominant speakers, and bilingual speakers,” Ms. Espinoza Mufson explained.
Round 1 is open to all students across the district, but priorities will be for siblings currently enrolled in the Dual Language program, children of HPS employees, and residents of the E.N. White and Kelly zones. The Round 1 lottery opens February 9 and closes March 20, 2026.
Round 2 is open to all students across the district. The Round 2 lottery opens March 21 and closes May 1, 2026.
Rolling admission is also open to all students across the district. Rolling admissions open June 1 and remain open for the rest of the year.