Glendale Unified School District

Families are invited to submit applications for the lottery drawing through January 31, 2026 for GUSD’s award-winning language and theme-based learning opportunities.

GLENDALE, CA, November 5, 2025 – The lottery application period for Glendale Unified School District’s (GUSD) highly esteemed 2026-27 dual language immersion (DLI) and magnet programs opened on Saturday, November 1, 2025 and will remain open through January 31, 2026. The random lottery selection will take place on February 11, 2026. 

GUSD proudly offers dual immersion programs in seven languages beginning in kindergarten (and TK in Spanish at Muir Elementary) and continuing through high school. The programs provide students a unique opportunity to learn in two languages, starting from an early age with the goal of developing high levels of language proficiency and literacy in both English and the target language. GUSD’s magnet programs offer students unique, theme-based educational experiences in academically rich and culturally diverse environments at four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. 

GUSD is widely recognized as a regional and statewide leader in multilingual education. The district was an early adopter of dual language programming and has been honored by the California Department of Education and the California School Boards Association for its commitment to promoting biliteracy and global citizenship. In 2024, Glendale Unified was honored as a “District of Distinction” by the Association of Two-Way and Dual Language Education (ATDLE). Each year, hundreds of GUSD students earn the prestigious State Seal of Biliteracy as well as recognition on a multitude of international proficiency tests. 

“Our dual language Immersion and magnet programs open doors for students to develop strong academic foundations and real-world skills in a setting that nurtures curiosity, confidence, and global awareness,” said Dr. Nancy Hong, Director of dual language immersion and English Learner Services at Glendale Unified. “Whether students are exploring science and technology, the arts, or studying in two languages, these programs provide unique pathways for learning and success. We are committed to ensuring that every student has access to rigorous, enriching language learning experiences that open doors to future college, career, and global opportunities.”

 

About GUSD’s Dual Language Immersion Programs

GUSD offers DLI programs in Armenian, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish at nine elementary school sites.  At the elementary level, students participate in a 90:10 model for target languages that use a Latin-based alphabet (French, German, Italian and Spanish). Students initially receive instruction in the target language for 90% of the day and in English for 10% of the day, starting in kindergarten. The percentage for instruction taught in English increases annually until 50% of the day is taught in the target language and 50% in English by fifth and sixth grades. 

For elementary students in the Armenian, Japanese, and Korean programs (languages using an alphabet distinct from the Latin-based alphabet), students participate in a 50:50 program model, receiving instruction in the target language for 50% of the day and in English for 50% of the day throughout elementary school. 

All four GUSD middle schools have pathways to continue the DLI program with an advanced language arts course in the target language designed for DLI students. The Spanish DLI programs at Roosevelt STEAM Academy and Eleanor J. Toll Middle School also offer a second core-content subject in history/social studies. 

All languages are available as world language course offerings at the high school level in GUSD. Students may continue taking advanced language courses as their elective, and most languages offer a capstone exam for potential college credit. Students are also eligible to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy in their target language.

 

Benefits of Dual Language Immersion

Dual-language immersion programs enable students to become proficient and literate in both English and a partner language while also achieving strong academic outcomes. Studies show that students in two-way immersion settings (with both native English speakers and native speakers of the partner language) match and often outperform their peers in reading, math, and overall achievement. In addition to academic benefits, immersion programs foster greater cultural awareness, stronger identity and self-esteem, and enhanced cognitive skills—such as flexibility of thinking, problem-solving, and attention control—which prepare students to thrive in an increasingly multilingual and multicultural world.

 

About GUSD Magnet Programs

GUSD’s magnet programs offer students unique, theme-based educational experiences in academically rich and culturally diverse environments at four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.  The magnet programs currently offered by Glendale Unified include: 

• Computer science immersion program at Cerritos Elementary
• Advanced technology at Edison Elementary
• Dual language immersion at Franklin Elementary School
• Visual and performing arts at Keppel Elementary
• Science, technology, arts and math focus at Roosevelt STEAM Academy Middle School
• Science and technology at Anderson W. Clark Magnet High School (please note the application window for Clark opens on January 1, 2026)

 

Who is eligible to apply? 

DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION ELIGIBILITY
Both students who live within the GUSD residency boundaries, as well as those who live outside of the regular district boundaries, are welcome to apply for GUSD’s DLI programs. Applicants eligible for enrollment in a Glendale Unified school may apply to any dual immersion program, not just the one at their home school. Students who live outside of the GUSD boundaries may also apply to a dual language immersion program but will need to obtain additional release and acceptance paperwork from their homeschool if selected for a dual immersion program. 

MAGNET PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
For magnet programs, students eligible for enrollment in a GUSD elementary school may apply to a GUSD elementary magnet school. Students eligible for enrollment in a school outside of the GUSD boundaries may apply to a GUSD elementary magnet school but will be required to obtain a release from their district of residence and an inter-district permit if selected for a magnet school. Students who live in the boundaries of Cerritos Elementary are welcome to enroll directly at the school without needing to apply. Please note that Roosevelt Middle School only accepts incoming 7th grade students through the lottery—not 6th or 8th grade students, and Clark Magnet High School is open only to students who live within the GUSD boundaries. 

Applications for the GUSD DLI and magnet programs can be submitted at GUSD's application page. Those who are interested in taking a virtual or in-person tour of the DLI and magnet schools can sign up online. 

 

How does the lottery work?    

All applications that are submitted and completed by the application deadline will be eligible for placement in the random student selection and are not prioritized by submission date. Students applying for higher grades in the DLI program will need to meet language proficiency criteria for eligibility and will be contacted if space is available. Applicant selection is determined through a random lottery process, according to the selection priorities noted in the student’s application. The lottery will take place on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 and families will be notified by email following the selection. Families who were not selected will be placed on a waiting list and are strongly encouraged to enroll with their home school. Offers will be made throughout the spring and summer as space allows. 

For more information about GUSD’s DLI and Magnet programs, including FAQ’s, please visit GUSD's Dual Immersion Page and GUSD's Magnet Page.