TAMPA, Fla. — Graduation is a time to celebrate, and Hillsborough County Public Schools is celebrating a unique class. The first cohort of dual-language students in Hillsborough County.

What You Need To Know

  • Bellamy Elementary and Crestwood Elementary were the first schools to incorporate a 50/50 learning model in English and Spanish

  • Daniel and Alice are amongst the several students who have attended the Dual-language schools from K-5th

  • Next school year nine elementary schools and 3 middle schools will incorporate the Dual-Language model

  • To learn more about the program click here

Bellamy Elementary School teacher Ruth Villegas says she’s proud of her students’ accomplishments throughout the program.

The program kicked off in 2017 with some students not knowing an ounce of Spanish while others didn’t know English.

For Daniel De La Fuente, the problem-solving of math is why it’s his favorite subject.

Whether he’s learning it in English or Spanish, “It’s kind of the same thing but just with different vocabulary, so they’re going to say the words different and explain it different.”

As a Cuban American, De La Fuente’s first language was Spanish. Navigating through the Dual-Language program helped him learn English.

“It would be hard to write and read because I didn’t know English and I wouldn’t know what to write,” he shared.

The Hillsborough County Schools Dual-language program utilizes a 50-50 model. Students receive equal instruction in Spanish and English.

Although the program has been challenging, De La Fuente says it has helped his family in more than just school.

“When we go to the store sometimes, she doesn’t know how to tell someone or asking someone ‘where is this?’ and I translate and I help her,” he said.

Approximately 22% of the Florida population speaks Spanish, according to Data USA. Spanish speakers are also one of the fastest-growing populations.

Speaking Spanish allows Alice Williams Carney to be connected to other cultures and communities.

“I just like that I get to talk to different people and help,” she said.

Carney says she surprises people with her proficiency in Spanish. Her parents say she was slowly immersed in the language by watching movies in Spanish.

“Every once in a while, we only talk this language by watching movies in Spanish,” she says.

There’s also a benefit of learning two languages. Both students say they will use their skills to not only help their families but make an impact in their community.