Ríos application window opens Feb. 2

The Ríos Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program at Winona Area Public Schools will begin accepting applications for the 2026-27 kindergarten class beginning Monday, Feb. 2. 

Ríos is Winona County’s only language immersion program. It is open and free to all students in Winona Area Public Schools. 

The goal of Ríos Spanish Immersion program is to provide educational experiences that support bilingualism and biliteracy in Spanish and English, as well as reinforce high academic standards and increase socio-cultural competency. The program begins in kindergarten and is available through Grade 12.

There are Ríos classrooms at the following school locations: 

• Kindergarten at Goodview School
• Grades 1-4 at Washington-Kosciusko Elementary
• Grades 5-8 at Winona Middle School
• Grades 9-12 at Winona Senior High School

There will be multiple opportunities for interested families to learn more about the program, including at the Ready for Adventure Kindergarten Open House on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 at Goodview School. There will be an informational table at the event, which will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. After the open house, representatives from the SLIPA parent association will be on hand for a short presentation and available to answer questions. 

In addition, teachers and administrators will be holding two informational sessions in the month of February that will include classroom visits and a Q and A session.

The informational sessions will be held at W-K Elementary at the following times:

• 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10
• 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19

The informational sessions will last approximately 45 minutes. Attending the informational session is not a requirement for admission into the program. 

If you are not able to attend the information sessions but still have questions about the program, please email Principal Jay Woller at jay.woller@winona.k12.mn.us or Principal Justin Hanson at justin.hanson@winona.k12.mn.us. 

To sign up for an informational session at W-K, click here and fill out the form.

To apply for the Ríos Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program, families will need to complete a short online application available at winonaschools.org/rios and register their incoming kindergartner with Winona Area Public Schools at winonaschools.org/enroll. 

The initial application window will close on Friday, Feb. 27. Once the initial application period has passed, WAPS administration will determine if a second kindergarten section will be needed for the 2026-27 school year. 

More information is available at winonaschools.org/rios.