Elementary Immersion Programs

In Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Lottery Process

www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/

Board of Education Policy JEE, Student Transfers

1. Does MCPS offer elementary world language immersion programs?

Yes, MCPS offers three Spanish, two French, and two Chinese elementary immersion programs at seven sites in the county.  The French and Spanish programs are full immersion.  The Chinese programs are partial immersion.  In full immersion, all core subjects, including reading/language arts, are taught in the target language.  In partial immersion, some core subjects are taught in the target language.  Some immersion programs are based on geographic location and/or give preference to students for whom that school is their home school.  For more information, please visit the special programs website above, or call the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services (DCCAPS) at 240-740-2540.

2. Who can participate in the immersion lottery process? Can students entering Grades 1–5 participate in the lottery?

Any Montgomery County resident scheduled to enter Grades K–5 in the following school year may participate in the elementary immersion lottery.  For students entering kindergarten, approximately 24 seats are available depending on the program.  For students entering Grade 1, seat availability varies year to year.  Admission for Grades 2–5 is determined by both language proficiency and available space.^[1] 

3.  Are younger siblings of students currently in the immersion program guaranteed a seat in that program?  

Any child who has an older sibling who is currently enrolled in a language immersion program, and will continue to be enrolled in that language immersion program the year the younger sibling seeks to enroll, may participate in a lottery established by the superintendent of schools for admission into the same language immersion program. Such lottery shall include a weighting process that takes into consideration factors to include:  (a) students who have an older sibling who is currently enrolled in a language immersion program and will continue to be enrolled in that language immersion program in the year the younger sibling seeks to enroll; (b) socio-economic status and poverty; and (c) other factors as identified by the superintendent of schools, such as, in specific circumstances, a catchment area.

An exception to this includes any child who has an older sibling who was enrolled in a language immersion program during the 2017-2018 school year (or before) and has an older sibling who will continue to be enrolled in the language immersion program the year the younger sibling seeks to enroll, may enroll in the language immersion program without the necessity of participating in the lottery conducted for admission into that program.  An interest form is still required for placement. If more siblings apply than there are spaces available, siblings will be selected via a random lottery.

4.   How can I participate in the lottery?  Where and when can I get a form?

Interested Montgomery County parents/guardians whose child(ren) will be entering kindergarten through Grade 5 for the upcoming school year must complete Elementary Immersion Interest Form online via Google, using the student’s MCPS ID number, and submit it to DCCAPS for processing.  Immersion interest forms will be available February 1, 2024, and the deadline for submitting the form is April 19, 2024.  Completed forms must be submitted online by the deadline.  Parents/guardians may indicate their interest in multiple immersion programs on one entry.  Kindergarten students, as well as anyone who will be new to MCPS, must be pre-enrolled for the 2024-2025 school year at their home elementary school prior to submitting the form as the MCPS ID number is required.

5.  When are the immersion interest meetings for each of the programs?

      Interested parents/guardians and students may attend immersion interest meetings hosted by the local school program from January 2024-April 2024. Please contact the school or visit the individual school website for dates.

6.   Is transportation to these programs provided?

    Immersion programs have central stop transportation from the areas that the program serves (with the exception of Potomac Elementary School).  Stops may be several miles from the student’s home.  Parents/guardians are responsible for arranging transportation to and from central stops.  Bus trips are usually significantly longer than local school transportation and vary by program or location.  It is important to consider transportation options and responsibilities.  The continuation of transportation for the 2024–2025 school year for regional and countywide immersion programs is pending budget approval.

7.   What factors are considered in the lottery?

Depending on the program, there are approximately 24 or 48 seats available in the lottery for students entering kindergarten.  The available seats in the lottery for students entering Grades 1–5 are those seats vacated by students who withdraw from the program.  Factors that may be considered when running each school’s lottery include—

• the student’s high school cluster (eligibility);
• seats available for Grades 1–5;
• the student’s older siblings who are currently enrolled in the language immersion program (see # 3 above);
• socio-economic status and poverty; and
• other factors as identified by the superintendent of schools, such as, in specific circumstances, a catchment area.  

All other assignments are made by a random lottery process.

8.   When will I be notified of lottery results for the 2024-2025 school year? 

All students who participate in the lottery process will receive notification in mid–May 2024.  For those not selected for the program, a wait list is maintained.  Students are assigned in a random order to the waitlist and are invited to the program when a vacancy occurs.  In order to be selected from the waitlist, the student must be enrolled in MCPS.  If a student is invited and accepts the invitation, the student’s name will be removed from the other wait lists. The lottery is conducted in May, and the wait list is valid through the following January.

  9.  What are the options for immersion students in middle school?

Students may continue in the feeder middle school immersion program, return to their home school, and/or be considered for a regional program. A Notice of Intent will be sent to parents of Grade 5 students to indicate their intentions for middle school.

10. Is my child eligible to participate in the lottery and enter kindergarten if born after the September 1 entrance date, but on or before October 15, 2019 known as Early Entrance to Kindergarten (EEK)?

     Students applying for EEK may participate in the immersion lottery.  If invited to any immersion program, the MCPS ID number will be assigned after the student qualifies for EEK.  The assessment for EEK is held at the child’s home school during kindergarten orientation.  Contact the student’s home school for specific details.

11. What if my child has special needs?

Students with special needs that can only be addressed through an Individual Education Program (IEP), best interest   meeting, alternative placement or English for Speakers of Other Languages program, the school assignment via the immersion process may be superseded. 

12. Are same age siblings (twins, triplets etc.) who enter the lottery together and request the same program guaranteed placement if one is invited?

     No, same age siblings who enter the lottery are treated independently.  It is possible one may be invited and   other student(s) be assigned a wait list number.  

Note:  Montgomery County Public Schools' Regulation JEE-RA, Student Transfers and Administrative Placements, applies to students who attend special programs outside of their home school.  To view the regulation, visit the website, www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/jeera.pdf