The Ríos Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program at Winona Area Public Schools is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 kindergarten class.
Ríos is Winona County’s only language immersion program. It is open and free to all students in Winona Area Public Schools. Grades K-4 are housed at Jefferson Elementary School, 1268 W. 5th St., Winona.
The goal of the program is to provide educational experiences, beginning in kindergarten and sustained through Grade 12, that support academic and linguistic development in Spanish and English and that develop students’ appreciation of their own and other cultures.
In order to help families learn more about the program, Ríos 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 Jefferson Elementary are set for:
- 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13
- 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15
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.
To sign up for an informational session, visit this link: https://waps.pub/rios_info.
Families can also ask questions at the All Aboard for Kindergarten at Winona Area Public Schools informational event on Monday, Feb. 5 at Winona Middle School, 1570 Homer Road. This night is for all incoming kindergartners and their families to learn why so many Winona area families continue to choose WAPS to inspire, engage and empower their child. A free dinner will be provided to all families, and future Winhawks will receive a free toy train.
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. 23. Once the initial application period has passed, WAPS administration will determine if a second kindergarten section will be needed for the 2024-25 school year.
More information is available at winonaschools.org/rios.