The Spanish Immersion Program provides a language experience for students in both English and Spanish. Students accepted into this program will receive 50% of their instruction in Spanish and 50% of their instruction in English. This program starts in Kindergarten and continues through fifth grade. The program is located at Frederick Douglass Elementary School.  While we are in the process of construction for a brand new Frederick Douglass Elementary, students and staff have relocated to the former Toisnot Middle School, which is located at 1301 Corbett Ave. N. in Wilson. Spanish Immersion is a unique educational program that requires an ongoing commitment from parents or guardians. Please consider the information below before deciding to apply for the Spanish Immersion program:

• Participation in the Spanish Immersion program requires special permission and the submission of a reassignment form if the student lives outside the Frederick Douglass Elementary district.  
• Students must adhere to the attendance, behavior, and academic guidelines as stated in Wilson County Schools policy. 
• Parents/Guardians should read nightly with their child for 20 minutes.
• Assessments are completed in English and Spanish. 
• Spanish Immersion classes do not follow House Bill 90 class size requirements.
• Transportation will not be provided if your child lives outside the Frederick Douglass school district.

How to apply for the Spanish Immersion program located at Frederick Douglass Elementary:

1. Register your child for Kindergarten at their base school.
   
2. Complete the 2025-2026 Spanish Immersion application and drop it off at Frederick Douglass (located at the former Toisnot Middle School, 1301 Corbett Ave. N. in Wilson) in c/o Casey Wester or email the form to casey.wester@wilsonschoolsnc.net.
3. Schedule a time for your child to complete the Kindergarten assessment at Frederick Douglass Elementary. Contact the school at (252) 236-4574. Students must score 60% or higher on the Kindergarten Assessment (English or Spanish). The assessment includes identification of letters, numbers, shapes and colors.
4. If your child is accepted into the Spanish Immersion program and not in the Frederick Douglass district, you will need to complete a reassignment form on the Wilson County Schools website at this link - Reassignment Information. 

Application Form

2025-2026 Kindergarten Spanish Immersion Application Form

All application documents should be submitted to Frederick Douglass Elementary no later than January 31, 2025. Parents/Guardians may submit forms in one of the following ways: 1) Drop off forms at Frederick Douglass in c/o Casey Wester or 2) Email the forms to casey.wester@wilsonschoolsnc.net. Families will be notified by February 10, 2025.  

- Students may enter Kindergarten Spanish Immersion anytime within the school year.
- Students may enter 1st Grade Spanish Immersion anytime between the beginning of school and the end of the first nine weeks - if there are slots available.
- Contact Principal Casey Wester for more information at (252) 236-4574.
- Reassignment is contingent upon the student's acceptance into the Spanish Immersion program.

Wait List Admission Process Timeline

- A Kindergarten wait list will be created for those not admitted to the program. The admission process will be followed to fill any kindergarten vacancy that occurs throughout the school year.
- A First Grade wait list will be created for those not admitted for the program. The admission process will be followed to fill any first grade vacancy that occurs through the last instructional day in October each year.