In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Distinctive Schools is spotlighting our incredible bilingual programming. Our commitment to bilingual education isn't just about teaching two languages—it's about enriching the entire educational experience for our students. As part of our commitment and All Means All mentality, it’s critical that we remain committed to providing the best resources and opportunities to help all learners thrive in school and beyond.
We believe that all students, no matter their background or language, should feel welcomed and part of their school’s community. That’s why the “push-in” approach is so important, “When I was teaching, it was me in a small room with five kids,” Bilingual Program Manager Noemi Simons shared, as she reflected on her experience in a “pull out” approach. “Those five students and I had a very close relationship, but they didn’t have relationships with any of the other children at school. The push-in method solves for that because it’s inclusive to students while providing them with a personalized learning lens. For many of our English-language learners (ELL), it takes a lot to learn a completely new language and it makes being social even more work for many children. Why not remove barriers where we can?” By using a push-in model, it allows for true collaboration and co-teaching between bilingual teachers and general classroom teachers.
Distinctive Schools campuses CICS Irving Park and CICS West Belden have opened bilingual classrooms for Kindergarten to deepen and enrich the learning experience for our youngest English Language Learners. “We plan on adding 1st and 2nd grade because the hope is that students will need fewer—if any—services by 3rd grade.”
It’s not just the students that are receiving support—through our Community Hub model, Community School Coordinators work to ensure families have what they need. “When Chicago began welcoming migrant families, we knew we wanted to support their journey. We immediately started preparing to welcome them into our schools,” Director of Partnerships & Community Hubs Karin Breo shared, “Each campus is so different, but Community School Coordinators know their schools so well that they’re able to identify needs and advocate for them.” Campuses bring in workshops with Spanish-speaking presenters to guide parents through practical applications like legal rights and preparing taxes. Some campuses even host ESL classes for adults.
A part of why bilingual programming at Distinctive Schools has seen success is in part by having leaders that see this program as a priority. Recruiting bilingual general education teachers means it’s not solely the Spanish teacher’s responsibility to teach English. Distinctive Schools teachers also have time in their schedules dedicated to intensive new student support.
Support for bilingual programming has shown academic and social-emotional successes. Last year, more than 20 Distinctive Schools scholars tested for the Biliteracy Pathway Recognition and passed! This Recognition for students in elementary and middle grades indicates the pursuit of the prestigious State Seal of Biliteracy upon high school graduation. But Noemi also recalls teachers sharing stories about new Spanish-speaking students who were closed off in the beginning of the school year, completely blossoming into social students able to work with others by the end. Those personal stories are just as important and necessary as the stories data-driven test scores tell.
Bilingual programming requires a holistic, community-centered approach to education. By integrating bilingual instruction within regular classrooms, supporting parents, and continually evolving our practices, our schools are not only addressing immediate educational needs but also building a foundation for long-term success for all students. Distinctive Schools’ focus on collaboration, community support, and personalized learning ensures that every child has the opportunity to excel and feel valued in their educational journey. This Hispanic Heritage Month, the theme is Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together. We’re excited to celebrate, and proud to play even the smallest part in shaping the future.
At Distinctive Schools, we value and support our bilingual teachers, offering opportunities for professional growth, collaborative environments, and a commitment to educational excellence. If you’re eager to contribute to a community that values innovation, equity, and the transformative power of education, we want to hear from you. Discover how your expertise can shine at Distinctive Schools—where every voice matters and every student thrives.