Merced Dual Language Academy

Research shows that dual language students often:

• Perform as well or better academically
• Develop stronger cognitive flexibility
• Graduate with bilingual and biliterate skills
• Gain expanded career opportunities
   

Yes. Dual Language Academy is open and actively enrolling students. DLA is a public charter school open to students across Merced County.

DLA is open to students throughout Merced County. Enrollment is not limited to a specific district boundary.

To enroll families will need to:

• Complete the 2026-27 Intent to Enroll Online Form (found on this page) and wait for the school to contact them with instructions on when to pick up the Enrollment Packet.
• Once staff has reached out to a parent and a pick up time has been established, they can pick up and complete the enrollment form at the school site, 1850 Wardrobe Ave., Building P, Merced, CA.
• For Enrollment Packet, parents will also need to include copies of proof of residency, their child's birth certificate and immunization records.

If you need assistance, you can call the school's office at (209) 381-5165. Staff are available to guide you through the process.

Students receive 50% of instruction in Spanish and 50% in English. This model promotes bilingualism, biliteracy, academic achievement, and cross-cultural understanding.

Students entering 2nd grade and above participate in a brief Spanish language screener. The purpose is to determine whether a student is likely to be successful in an environment where half of the instruction is delivered in Spanish.

The screener:

• Is not pass/fail
• Is not used to deny enrollment
• Is administered by bilingual staff
• Reviews basic Spanish skills (numbers, colors, foundational vocabulary)

If a child performs poorly on the screener, they may not be recommended for DLA, but they can still enroll in the Non-Classroom Based (NCB) program.

Students are not denied enrollment into Merced Scholars Charter School based on screener results. Families can still enroll in the Non-Classroom Based (NCB) program for a better instructional fit.

Yes, DLA provides Special Education services and supports in accordance with students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

For enrollment questions, contact the school office or email:

Ravi Prabhala, Principal – rprabhala@mcoe.org
Tara Hill, Director of Student Programs – thill@mcoe.org
School Office - (209) 381-5165

The Dual Language Academy (DLA) is a 50/50 instructional model, meaning:

• 50% of instruction is delivered in Spanish
• 50% of instruction is delivered in English

To help ensure students are positioned for success, students entering 2nd grade and above participate in a brief Spanish language screener.

A short foundational skills review that covers basic Spanish skills such as:

• Numbers
• Colors
• Foundational vocabulary

Directions are provided in Spanish and administered by bilingual staff. Typically takes 30–45 minutes.
 

No, the screener is not used to deny enrollment.

The purpose of the screener is to make a recommendation about whether a student is likely to be successful in the DLA program, where half of the instruction is delivered in Spanish.
 

Staff will review the results to determine if the 50/50 Dual Language model is the best instructional fit for your student.

If the Dual Language Academy model is not recommended, families can still enroll in:

• Merced Scholars Charter School – Non-Classroom Based (NCB) Program

Students are not denied enrollment into MSCS based on screener results. The goal is to find the appropriate placement to support your student's success.

Language screeners are common practice in dual language programs.

 They help ensure students:

• Can meaningfully access instruction
• Feel confident in the classroom
• Are set up for long-term academic success in a bilingual environment