Washington Dual Language Academy

I want to be clear that I am assessing the new Washington Dual Language Academy that started this school year 2014-2015. I have to admit I was extremely skeptical to enroll my daughters in this school given the District's reputation, but given the focus on dual language acquisition and competency I felt it was a calculated risk worth taking. Also, given this was a new program I believed that if there were enough committed parents and teachers all working toward the same goal, this school could be different. I'm pleased to say that from my experience this year it was MUCH better than I expected. Of course, the enrollment experience could have been better planned and executed but I didn't want that to impact negatively on my experience with the school as they were not at fault for the District's disorganization. We transferred in from Oak Park River Forest school district known for strong academic performances year after year. After experiencing OPRF (as a minority) I would strongly recommend this program for non-Spanish speaking students as well as already bilingual students. My daughters came into the program knowing very little Spanish given we don't speak it at all at home and it was not a strong emphasis (although offered as a course) in OPRF, but at Washing Dual Language they were in the perfect environment to learn it and have done well in their acquisition as well as literacy in both English and Spanish (both on grade level and above for each language). They also did not suffer in their development of the required core subject materials, it was just a bonus to also learn it in Spanish. I'm hopeful that the upcoming years will improve further as long as the community can see the value in the bilingualism of students and parents engage with the school in their individual child's journey. Let's continue to raise the standard for our community school and their overall performance.

It has produced some great professional from our community. It has strong historical roots in this community and is still doing a excellent job with its students. We have a pastor of a church here in Maywood who went to the school at age 6yrs and is now age 87yrs and is still active with the school.. Washington School was the only school African-American children could attend in this community before the school desegration law was passed in the 50's. It has remain the rock for this community and if researched you will find a very beautiful

This is a school that loves and teaches their children. The architecture is only the framework; the real work is done in the classroom.

School has great history of teachers who have given so much to the school. Graduates come back to encourage the students of tomorrow that they also came make it and make a difference. A staff that cares and retirees also return for extra help as well to children and staff. Safe harbor to children in need with after school activities to help children learn that there is better way with the right attitude and self help in helping others.