Lafayette Parish School System Magnet Academies

World Language Immersion an Exceptional Pathway

Bravo! Choosing an immersion experience for your child gives them distinct advantages for the rest of their lives. In this environment, students’ brains make more connections enabling them to think more creatively and become excellent problem-solvers. Students in immersion environments generally outperform students in traditional classrooms on standardized tests and have increased social skills. They grow healthy brain tissue which will keep their brains active and alert for a longer period of their lives! An investment in immersion is an investment in well-being and achievement.

Students are instructed in English plus a target language during their PreK-12 learning journey. Currently, French and Spanish languages are offered. In immersion environments, students are exposed to a minimum of 60% of their day in the target language selected. They learn math, science, social studies, target language arts, English language arts, culture, plus much more.

Students, whose primary home language is not English, applying to an immersion academy must be screened by the LPSS ESL Department’s staff in order to be eligible. Students who would benefit from ESL services will have their application considered for acceptance on a year to year basis.

Immersion is not only for the best and brightest. Immersion is for every child.

Some other benefits include:

• Entry points in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1^st grade via the Magnet Academies lottery;

• Access to an International Language Diploma program beginning in 5^th grade (French only, at present);

• Opportunity to earn the Seal of Bi-literacy, an academic endorsement for their high school diploma;

• And possible free language course credits when entering a college or university via entrance exams.

*Students who are currently in Pre-K or Kindergarten must apply for lottery by the deadline to receive pathway priority into Kindergarten or 1st grade. 

French Immersion Pre-K students may apply for French Immersion at any French Immersion school (Evangeline, Myrtle Place or Prairie). 

Spanish Immersion Pre-K students may apply for Spanish Immersion at Alice N. Boucher or Charles M. Burke.

Two Models:

One Way Immersion offers students who do not speak the target language the opportunity to learn French (Evangeline, Prairie, and Myrtle Place) or Spanish (Alice N. Boucher).

Two-Way Spanish Immersion offers a mixed class of children who speak Spanish at home and those who speak English at home to learn English and Spanish at the same time at Charles M. Burke.

Secondary Pathway

•  French and Spanish Immersion 5th grade students will be automatically enrolled in Middle School Immersion at Scott Middle.

• French and Spanish Immersion 8th grade students will be automatically enrolled in High School Immersion at Lafayette High.

*Students only receive pathway priority in the same language.

Transportation is provided for immersion students throughout the district using designated bus stops.