Beginning in the 2023-2024 School Year, Chisholm Elementary integrated the Creative Arts and Dual Language Spanish Immersion Programs to offer a unified, Bilingual-Arts program beginning with grades PK3 and PK4. In the following school years, each subsequent grade will shift to the Bilingual-Arts program (Kindergarten in SY 24-25, 1st grade in SY 25-26, 2nd grade in SY 26-27, 3rd grade in SY 27-28, etc.).

The Bilingual-Arts program design will afford increased access to high-quality, bilingual, and arts-integrated instruction for all learners. The Special Education program at Chisholm — inclusion and self-contained Communication and Education Supports (CES) classrooms — will remain unchanged.

The newly integrated Bilingual-Arts program at Chisholm Elementary will increase students’ bilingual/biliteracy development and provide them visual and performing arts instruction across multiple genres and styles. Understanding the need for students to operate with self-awareness and mutual respect in today’s 21st century global community, Chisholm students will explore their own unique identities through the multidimensional lens of language and culture studies. Students will also understand academic concepts through creative strategies in art, music, and drama. Chisholm Elementary will leverage community partnerships and resources to further enrich students’ holistic, learning experiences.

You can enroll via the DCPS lottery OR enroll as an in-boundary student.

Note: In all DCPS Dual Language elementary programs, students entering after Grade 1 must demonstrate some proficiency in Spanish prior to joining the program

Students in Early Childhood Education (ECE) will receive 90% of their instruction in Spanish. 10% of English instruction will occur during specials.

❑ ECE students will engage with Creative Curriculum and follow the typical DCPS ECE instructional schedule.

Students will receive 50% instruction in English and 50% instruction in Spanish.

❑ Biliteracy block, which includes English language arts and Spanish language arts. Paired literacy curriculum.

❑ Mathematics taught in English

❑ Typical specials schedule, HPE, Music, Art, etc., taught in English

❑ Arts integrated into the academic curriculum

❑ Social Emotional Learning integrated into the full school day.

If future, in-boundary Kindergarten – grade 1 families do not wish to have their child attend Chisholm's Bilingual-Arts program, they will have the option to enroll at Payne Elementary. For more information regarding Payne ES please contact Principal Byrd at stephanie.byrd@k12.dc.gov