Detroit Public Schools opens new dual-language high school

Detroit has a new high school for bilingual students who speak Spanish and English.Academy of the Americas has expanded from its main building in southwest Detroit. Previously, all students attended classes in the same location. The new site will house students in grades 8-10. The high school teaches a curriculum with a 50-50 ratio of both languages, which means students need to have a prior background in speaking Spanish.

"It definitely gives them an opportunity to attain a more academic level of the language, as opposed to just casual and conversational," said principal Nicholas Brown.He says the program helps students preserve their home culture and language, as well as opening up career opportunities. "Having received a dual-language immersion education, they would be put in positions to work in fields that would require them to utilize both languages," Brown said.

By Paulette Parker • Feb 9, 2016

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