Escuela Bilingüe Betty Benavidez
Escuela Bilingüe Betty Benavidez
APS' First Spanish/English Dual Language School!
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Accepting applications for preschool through first-grade students for the 2026-27 school year.
Each year, a new grade will be added until we reach fifth grade. We are excited to welcome students from all language and cultural backgrounds!
Apply Now!
Dual Language School - Apply Now Flyer - English First - ADA.pdfEscuela Bilingüe Betty Benavidez Opens Fall 2026!
Escuela Bilingüe Betty Benavidez Opens Fall 2026!
Applications for Pre-K, K, and 1 will take place this fall starting November 3! Keep an eye out on this website. For more information contact Principal Anabel Rafoul or Director of Magnet Schools Jessica Brown or call 303-366-6019.
It's Official! APS' New Dual Language School Named "Escuela Bilingüe Betty Benavidez"
It's Official! APS' New Dual Language School Named "Escuela Bilingüe Betty Benavidez"
Aurora Public Schools is thrilled to announce the name of our new Spanish/English dual language magnet school: Escuela Bilingüe Betty Benavidez! The APS Board of Education approved the name at its Jan. 13 meeting.
The APS community overwhelmingly voted to honor the late Betty Benavidez (1935-2013), a barrier-breaking trailblazer who made history in 1971 as the first Hispanic woman elected to the Colorado State Legislature.
While in office, Betty sponsored Colorado’s first bilingual bill, the “Bilingual Bicultural Act,” forever changing the educational landscape by championing bilingual and bicultural learning for all students. Betty was hailed as one of the madres del movimiento (mothers of the movement). The new school is a continuation of that movement, the fulfillment of a promise and a celebration of culture, language and unity.
The school’s mascot, Los Colibrís (The Hummingbirds), symbolizes joy, transformation, resilience and hope, qualities that defined Betty’s life and will shape the next generation of bilingual learners and leaders.
Escuela Bilingüe Betty Benavidez will open in August 2026. The school will welcome preschool through fifth-grade students from across the district, beginning with preschool through first grade for the 2026-27 school year. Using a gradual 90/10 model, instruction will be given in 90 percent Spanish and 10 percent English in preschool, gradually shifting to a 50/50 balance in the upper grades.
Escuela Bilingüe Betty Benavidez in the News!
Escuela Bilingüe Betty Benavidez in the News!
By Fox 31 Denver
By Noticias Colorado
Aurora abrirá su primera escuela de doble inmersión en español e inglés en 2026
Aurora will open its first dual-immersion school in Spanish and English in 2026.
By CBS News Colorado
By Telemundo Denver
It is very important to start a program like this "First bilingual school in Aurora"
What is a Dual Language School?
What is a Dual Language School?
Two-Way Dual Language is a type of dual language program that enrolls an approximately even number of students from different language backgrounds that learn content in two languages.
The APS Two-Way P-5 Dual Language School will provide instruction in Spanish and English and serve the following students:
Spanish Speakers
English Speakers
Speakers of other languages
What does it look like?
What does it look like?
In a Two-Way Dual Language (DL) Program, academic content is taught in both English and another language. Our school will offer Spanish as the target language.
The program is fully aligned to Student Learning Standards and is designed so that students learn academic content and skills through the target language, thereby acquiring a high level of communicative and academic proficiency in both English and Spanish.
Rationale and Research
Rationale and Research
There is a great deal of research (Thomas & Collier, 2017) that supports dual language programs. These programs help students acquire high levels of language proficiency, typically develop greater cognitive ability, and enhance understanding of their primary language. Dual language programs also provide students with a deeper understanding of other cultures which fosters positive cross-cultural relationships and reduce prejudice. On average, students who participate in dual language programs perform as well as or better than non dual language students on standardized tests of English and math administered in English.
Where is the Two-Way P-5 Dual Language (DL) program located?
Where is the Two-Way P-5 Dual Language (DL) program located?
The program will be located at the 6th avenue site
Who can participate?
Who can participate?
Any APS student who is entering Preschool, K, or 1st grade in August, 2026 is able to apply. Transportation will be provided. More information will be shared in November, 2025.
What if my child doesn’t speak any Spanish?
What if my child doesn’t speak any Spanish?
We aim to create classes that include a robust blend of new language learners and students who already speak Spanish in the Pre-K, K, and 1st grades. Each class will include 50% of native Spanish speakers and 50% of English or another language. So, no introduction to Spanish is necessary. Parents must complete the magnet school application and a lottery will be run.
What is the size of the DL program?
What is the size of the DL program?
The first year goal is to have 48 Pre-K students (50% Spanish speakers); 66 students in Kindergarten (50% Spanish speakers), and 66 students in first grade(50% Spanish speakers). We will grow a grade a year until reaching 5th grade. These students continue together through 5th grade.
What does the DL program look like?
What does the DL program look like?
DL program in the younger grades includes students learning in Spanish 90% of the day in Spanish and 10% in English. The DL Spanish teacher teaches math, science, social studies, and ELA primarily in Spanish. Academic content is reinforced throughout the day (90% in Spanish and 10% in English).
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