Lessons from a Dual Language Bilingual School

Explores the lessons, successes and challenges of Dos Puentes directly from those within the school community

Celebrating 10 years of Dos Puentes Elementary School in New York City, this book showcases the lessons, successes and challenges of developing a fully bilingual school. It centers the voices of those directly involved in the school community and features discussion by researchers on the implications for the field of bilingual education.

This edited book showcases the lessons, successes and challenges of starting and growing a fully bilingual school. Reflecting on the first 10 years of Dos Puentes Elementary School in New York City, it explores the evolution of the school through its four founding pillars: (1) bilingüismo, biliteracidad y multiculturalismo, (2) las familias son partners, leaders and advocates, (3) investigaciones and hands-on learning, and (4) partnerships with universities, organizations y la comunidad. The chapter authors include families, teachers, school administrators and university partners, centering the voices of those directly involved in the school community and highlighting key moments in the life of the school. At the end of each chapter, researcher commentary contextualizes these experiences within the wider literature and discusses implications and next steps for the field of bilingual education. This book will be of interest to pre- and in-service teachers and school administrators, particularly those looking to develop bilingual programs in their own context.