Knowing more than one language is a gift. Every child who speaks a language other than English can be tested before school begins to see if she/he needs bilingual services and if so, which program would be best. Call the BPS Multilingual Communication and Placement Center at 635-6547 to make an appointment. The testing can be done any time before your child starts school in September. However, consider testing the November or December BEFORE, so that by the time you register for kindergarten in January, you will know which programs are best for your child.

There are different kinds of bilingual education programs available in the BPS. The first is "transitional" classes for children to learn academic subjects in their native language, while working to improve their English enough to re-join general education classes. (These are offered in Chinese, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Ask at your PIC which schools offer each program.) The second kind of program is multilingual classes, where students who speak different languages study all subjects together in English, with support to improve their English. The third program, offered currently at three schools, is called "two-way" or "dual" bilingual education. Students who are native English speakers learn alongside native Spanish speakers – and each child learns both languages. For more information, call the Bilingual Education Department at 635-9435.