One of our goals at PS 94 is to afford students the opportunity for high academic achievement while becoming bilingual, bi-literate, and multicultural. We believe that these linguistic and cultural skills will enable them to function more successfully in a global society. The Dual Language model is the perfect vehicle for achieving our goal as it integrates native English speakers and native speakers of another language for all or most of their content area instruction. Upon their completion in the Dual Language programs students in both language groups will:
Ø Meet or exceed New York City standards
Ø Develop proficiency in their first language
Ø Develop proficiency in their second language
Ø Develop positive cross-cultural attitudes; behaviors, and skills that will help them function in a global society.
Ø Develop second language skills while learning content knowledge in both languages.
Ø Attain higher self-esteem.
All students at PS 94 can enroll in the Dual Language program. Students who are English Language Learners (ELLs) or who are English Proficient (EP) are encouraged to participate. Program participation will be based on parent choice. Parents must be committed to the philosophy and goals of the Dual Language model. Students entering Dual Language classes will be assessed to determine language proficiency levels in both languages.
We follow a Balanced Language Model (50/50 model), reflecting the fact that the two languages are evenly balanced. Students receive half of their instruction in English and the other half in the other language (Spanish or Chinese). The students are linguistically integrated; there are native speakers of English and native speakers of the other language who are ELLs as well as English Proficient. All students in the Dual Language Programs attend school from 8:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M.; Instruction is in both languages during both the regular school day and in the after-school program. The after school instruction focuses on language and culture.