St. Ambrose School in Annandale is the first school in the diocese to implement a dual language program, an initiative that provides literacy and content instruction in both English and Spanish, according to the diocesan Catholic schools office. The initiative will begin with the inaugural class of kindergarteners; each year, the school will expand the program to the next grade level. By the time the first class graduates eighth grade, they will be fluent in Spanish — and the program will be offered at all levels.
“We live in a global society and a global economy,” said Maria Tejada, principal. “I am very excited that we’re going to equip students with the skills that will enable them to communicate bilingually and bi-culturally, in a faith-filled environment.”
Tejada, who is bilingual, grew up attending Catholic school. When she raised her two daughters, she wanted them to attend Catholic school and become bilingual, but couldn’t find a place that offered both.
“I’m a product of Catholic education,” she said. “I wanted my children to be a product of Catholic education. I wanted my children to be bilingual.” But, “As a mom, I was looking for that and I couldn’t find it for my children.”
Instead, she put her children in Catholic school and drove them to Spanish classes on Saturday mornings.
When Tejada became principal of St. Ambrose two years ago, she saw an opportunity.
“The first idea of a dual language program came from school parents and alumni who shared their experiences of work and higher education in an increasingly multicultural and globalized world,” said Father Andrew Fisher, pastor and head of school. “There was a clear desire to incorporate that lived experience into our school’s curriculum.”
Tejada began to research dual language programs and discovered Boston College’s Two-Way Immersion Network for Catholic Schools. She reached out and connected with the network.
In that time, she also hired new staff, including a kindergarten and first grade teacher, both bilingual.
Last year, the school discussed incorporating more language skills into the curriculum and looked at Boston College’s dual language program.
“It quickly seemed to both school and parish leaders that all the pieces had come together,” said Father Fisher.
In the spring, Tejada worked with Boston College to conduct a feasibility study. She provided data about the parish, school, nearby schools, and results from surveys to parents and teachers. After reviewing the data, the network indicated that St. Ambrose was in a strong position to implement the program.
A critical element was having faculty who could provide instruction in Spanish. Tejada credits God for the providence.
“God puts what you need on your way, on your path,” she said. “You start picking up those pieces until you come out with the final project.”
The school also had to have the curricula and materials in place. St. Ambrose bought math, science and language arts books in Spanish. Tejada translated the existing math and science curricula into Spanish for the teachers. In addition, she helped write the curriculum for Spanish language arts, which needed instruction on Spanish phonetics. Next year, she will write the curriculum for first grade.
In preparation for the program launch, which was announced in June, she spent a week this summer in Boston along with the kindergarten teacher, Cynthia Guevarra.
With everything in place, the school welcomed a class of about 10 kindergarteners Aug. 24. The students will be taught math, science and Spanish language arts in Spanish; and social studies, religion, English language arts and all special classes in English.
Laura Aydlette’s son, Atticus, was one of the youngsters starting the new program.
“I think it’s really good to have exposure to a second language,” said Aydlette. “This (program) is setting St. Ambrose apart.”
She also has a son in second grade at St. Ambrose and a daughter who will be in preschool next year. The family lives in Fairfax, but she hopes to send her children to St. Ambrose as long as possible.
“I don’t want them to miss out on this opportunity,” she said.
Once fluent in Spanish from school classes, Aydlette hasn’t practiced her Spanish in a while, but she looks forward to conversing with Atticus in the future.
“It’ll be fun to practice with him.”
Bartlett can be reached at [email protected].
