Dual Language Programs
Our Commitment to Bilingual Excellence: Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging
At the Bilingual Bicultural Mini School (BBMS), we believe that bilingual education is a cornerstone of student success, and we are fully committed to a culture of inclusion, equity, and belonging. We honor every student’s unique background, language, and identity, fostering a school environment where children feel both safe and seen.
We believe bilingual education is vital because it respects and builds upon a student's home language as a foundation for all future learning. Our mission is to guide students toward becoming truly bilingual and biliterate, strengthening their ability to read, write, and speak in both English and Spanish. By maintaining this culture, we empower our students to see their linguistic diversity as a powerful academic asset.
The Dual Language Program
The heart of our school is the Dual Language Bilingual Education (DL) program. Across kindergarten through fifth grade, our Dual Language program follows a rigorous model where 50% of instruction is delivered in English and 50% in Spanish. We ensure balanced language development over time, helping students build strong academic skills in both languages as they progress through the grades. To support this journey, our classrooms feature bilingual libraries that provide essential resources for vocabulary building and comprehension in both English and Spanish. Our teachers are also trained in research-based practices, including Quality Teaching of English Leaners (QTEL) to support learners.
English as a New Language (ENL) Services
The Bilingual Bicultural Mini School also provides English as a New Language (ENL) services. These services at BBMS are designed to ensure all Multilingual Learners develop the essential skills to read, write, and speak English with confidence. The instruction is delivered by expert bilingual teachers and is provided in addition to regular ELA classes, ensuring students receive the specialized support they need without missing core curriculum.
Leveraging Bilingualism in Classrooms: Station Learning and Project-Based Learning
Our curriculum is designed to encourage meaningful discourse through English Language Arts and Math Stations, where students explore complex concepts in both languages. A key driver of this growth is Project-Based Learning (PBL). Through engaging, real-world projects, students deepen their understanding of how language and content intersect, specifically strengthening their academic vocabulary and communication skills in authentic contexts.
Academic Performance of English Language Learners
The effectiveness of our Dual Language model is clearly reflected in our 2025 New York State performance data. While 62% of our student body are Multilingual Learners (MLLs)—compared to the New York City average of 17%—our students consistently outperform their peers across the city:
- Exceptional Math Growth: In Math, our MLLs achieved a City Rank of 79%ile in 2025, showing impressive and steady growth from the 56%ile in 2023.
· Strong ELA Standing: In ELA, our MLLs maintained a resilient performance with a City Rank of 63%ile.
The Success of Former MLLs
The ultimate testament to the BBMS foundation is the performance of our "Former Muliti-Lingual Learners"—students who have successfully transitioned out of MLL status but often choose to remain in the Dual Language setting to refine their bilingualism. These students are now among the highest performers in the city:
· Elite Proficiency: In 2025, an incredible 92% of Former MLLs achieved proficiency in ELA (89%ile City Rank), and 93% reached proficiency in Math (87%ile City Rank).
· Rapid Academic Trajectory: Our regular education students (non-IEP, non-MLL) have seen meteoric gains, with their ELA City Rank rising from 38%ile in 2023 to 82%ile in 2025, and their Math City Rank climbing from 34%ile in 2023 to 88%ile in 2025.
A Foundation for the Future
BBMS serves as the essential foundation for a lifelong bilingual journey. Our students graduate prepared for bilingual pathways in middle school, building the skills necessary to eventually earn the Bilingual Seal in high school. We are proud to provide a setting where students are academically equipped to lead in a global, multilingual society.