A proposal to expand the Tigard-Tualatin School District’s popular Spanish-English Two-Way Immersion (TWI) program would turn Bridgeport and Metzger elementary schools into schoolwide dual-language campuses beginning in 2027-28.
At an Oct. 12 work session, Superintendent Iton Udosenata told school board members the current “school-within-a-school” model for TWI creates challenges by operating English-language and immersion programs under the same roof.
The proposed change creates a more unified learning environment while expanding access. Both campuses would phase in schoolwide TWI instruction over six years, adding kindergarten immersion classes annually as students in English-only models transition to other schools.
“Expanding two-way immersion opens the door for more families across our community to benefit from high-quality bilingual education,” Udosenata said in a press release.
Widely regarded as one of the best ways to learn a second language, the district says immersion builds bilingual proficiency while fostering cultural understanding.
The TWI program gradually shifts learners from 90% Spanish instruction in kindergarten to a 50-50 Spanish-English balance by fourth grade, with bilingual learning continuing through middle school. High school students can take Spanish-language courses across subjects and earn biliteracy honors.
Under the proposal, both schools would introduce kindergarten TWI classes in 2027-28, while kindergarten and first-graders from English-language programs move to other schools. In 2028-29, the schools would add new TWI kindergarten classes, while English-only classes in grades 2-4 would be reassigned. By 2029-30, English-language classes would be phased out, with TWI expanding one grade at a time over the following three years. The schools’ attendance boundaries would effectively “dissolve.”
Current Metzger students not enrolled in TWI would go to Charles F. Tigard Elementary, while Bridgeport students not enrolled would be reassigned to Tualatin or Byrom, depending on their address. Per district policy, transportation is provided for students living more than one mile from their designated school, Udosenata said.
Although TWI consolidation should generate overall savings, transportation costs would increase. Locating TWI at Metzger and Bridgeport keeps it amid the highest concentration of Spanish-speaking English learners, whom it is designed to benefit most.
District officials emphasize that expansion remains under consideration and that community input will help shape implementation. The school board does not vote directly on program changes, but would consider related attendance-boundary changes, likely in early 2027.
The district says TWI expansion would not increase the likelihood of potential school closures being considered separately to address declining enrollment. In fact, the district believes the popular immersion program could help boost enrollment over time. For more, visit: ttsdschools.org/parents/two-way-immersion.
