Barksdale Elementary School's Spanish Immersion Program serves approximately 270 students from grades K-5, with a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 and 15.5 full-time equivalent teachers. On achievement metrics, the school reported 85% proficiency in math, 75% in reading, and 80%–89% in science, placing it within the top 5% of schools in the state of Tennessee. Other noteworthy factors include 40% minority enrollment among students, and a program that intentionally cultivates bilingualism and cross-cultural intelligence by providing all academic instruction in Spanish. The Spanish Immersion Program was launched in 2018 and the quality of the school has been recognized system-level, ranking it in the top 5% of schools across the state of Tennessee. The median home value in the community is about $236,100.

Students receive 100% of their instruction in Spanish during the early grades. English is gradually integrated, reaching a 50/50 balance by fifth grade.

Q1. Can you elaborate on the purpose of the Spanish Immersion curriculum?

Ans: The curriculum offers all subjects in Spanish in an effort to build bilingualism and cross-cultural competency, a needed skill for the 21st century.

Q2. Can you explain what supports are in place for students who do not speak Spanish?

Ans: The school will have an English support program, with language scaffolding for newcomers.

Q3. Are there cultural programming opportunities offered?

Ans: The students participate in festivals, an international day, and language celebrations relating to Hispanic culture.

Q4. What steps are taken to continue some level of academic rigor?

Ans: The students work in STEM, literacy and math programs aligned to state standards.

Q5. In what ways are families included in the immersion program?

Ans: The school will provide or have parent workshops ,continue to send bilingual newsletters, and have cultural programming.