A dual-language immersion program provides students a way to learn academic content while acquiring another language at the same time. Students in Olathe’s dual-language immersion program spend half of the day learning in English and half of the day learning in Spanish. Under the instruction of two teachers, students learn science, social studies, language arts, and math in both Spanish and English.

Students start in kindergarten and learn to read and write in two languages as they progress through elementary school. Research shows that students who take part in an immersion classroom consistently develop native-like levels of comprehension, such as listening and reading skills, in their second language. Students remain with other students in the immersion program during all years of elementary school, building on their progress together.

The Olathe Public Schools offers the dual-language immersion program at two elementary schools: Black Bob Elementary and Manchester Park Elementary.

Read the Dual-Language Immersion Program pamphlet (PDF)

Lea el panfleto acerca del programa de immersion de doble lenguaje (PDF)

Information Nights

The district will hold parent nights for those wanting to learn more about the Spanish dual-language immersion program. One day will be held in person and the other will be held online.

• Monday, April 14, 6-7 p.m., Education Center, 14160 S. Black Bob Road, Olathe
• Monday, April 21, 6-7 p.m. online. Join us on Zoom April 21
• Watch a recording of the parent night presentation

Enrollment for 2025-26

Incoming kindergarten students for the fall of 2025 interested in being a part of the immersion program will enter an application into a lottery system in the spring prior to their kindergarten year. Some seats will be saved for students living in the elementary attendance area of Black Bob and Manchester Park and other seats will be open to families wanting to transfer into the program from other attendance areas of the Olathe School District.

The lottery application period for the 2025-26 school year will open March 3 and close on April 24. Starting March 3, parents will be able to submit an application on this website at the Program Application link to the left side of this page. Applications submitted after the April 24 deadline will be added to the bottom of the wait list. 

All families should attend their home school for Kindergarten Enrollment even if they have submitted an application for the immersion lottery.

It is important to understand that the program is based on a lottery system.

Questions? See additional information on the webpage tabs to the left or email Michael Flenthrope, director of language acquisition.