Waltham Dual Language School

Even before entering the Dual Language Program, my kids have all experienced language immersion. They all have gone or are in Spanish immersion daycare, followed by Mandarin immersion preschool. They also hear Cantonese from my side of the family, with the older 2 going to Cantonese school on Saturdays. Needless to say, we are passionate about early second language exposure and acquisition.

Our family was lucky enough to have won the lottery. My boys are raising to first and third grade. By the end of Kindergarten, they were reading in both Spanish and English. Because I want to be an engaged parent, I joined and became an active member of the PTO. Through this, I learned about the need for space and the inequities that our school has to overcome. 

I have spoken to the school committee after researching and combing through many articles on the benefits of 2-way immersion dual language programs and of having these programs run from K-8. Both native Spanish-speaking and native English-speaking students benefit from second language acquisition as well as cultural appreciation. I also spoke about having a safe and equitable environment for our students to learn and grow. 

Last year, Mayor McCarthy and the current school committee gave the Waltham Dual Language School 3 months to move to their current location. Over the summer, teachers and parents moved teaching materials and supplies to the new location. The old furniture was moved there as well. A playground, without input from the community and not completely age appropriate was erected in October and by January already had screws falling out. Even by early Spring, there were bulletin boards that were not put up with just a sticky note to signify its supposed existence. The rushed job left a lot to be desired, but we have a new space with more room and a cafeteria.

When the move was decided in May of 2024, the DL community was told that there will be expansion each summer so that the school can grow. However, we have watched as every School Committee meeting goes to the Revitalization of 617 Lexington Street and Dual Language School with "No updates at this time." This indecisive decisiveness has to change. With the expansion of the Waltham Dual Language School to 80 students per grade in K-5, there will be 240 more slots for Waltham families. If it were to span K-8, we would open up space for 720 students. The Waltham Dual language School has the highest MCAS scores in the city. They are doing something right, and other students can definitely benefit.