Loudoun County School Board spotlights new Dominion global academy, Leesburg DLI

The Loudoun County School Board received an informational spotlight Aug. 11 on two new Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) programs launching this school year: the Academy of Global and Linguistic Studies (AGLS) at Dominion High School and the expansion of Dual Language Immersion (DLI) to Leesburg Elementary School. Board members asked questions and presented plaques to the two principals. No motion or vote was taken. ^{2:05:05 2:13:38 2:19:58}

Chair April Chandler introduced the item, and a staff member said the programs reflect a commitment to creating multiple pathways to success. Danielle Graham, a staff member, said AGLS and DLI support Goal One of the One LCPS 2027 strategic plan and its aligned action on expanding accessible pathways. ^{2:05:05 2:07:06 2:07:54}

Chelsea Northman, a presenter, described AGLS as offering immersive learning in Arabic and Mandarin Chinese, specialized pathways in global leadership or global business, dual enrollment and advanced coursework, and internships, cultural exchanges and short-term study abroad in the senior year. She also described a first-ever Summer Bridge program at Dominion High School that included work on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and a trip to the Planet Word Museum in Washington, D.C. Dr. Brewer, a presenter, thanked the board on behalf of the Dominion High School community. ^{2:08:36 2:09:49 2:10:54}

Ms. James, a presenter, said DLI uses a 50/50 two-way immersion model beginning in kindergarten, with students selected by lottery and no transportation provided for students living outside the DLI attendance zone. She said Leesburg Elementary uses a school priority model, with seats offered first to students zoned for the school and out-of-zone seats offered as capacity allows. Mr. Lacy, a presenter, said the goal was to serve students in a community whose demographics have changed. ^{2:11:28 2:12:39}

Vice Chair Anne Donohue thanked the teams for their work standing up and expanding the programs. Jon Pepper asked how the Summer Bridge program went; a presenter said half of the enrolled students participated, spending a day at Dominion on community building and language study before the museum trip at the end of July. A board member asked how the three program teams collaborate, and a staff member described quarterly full-day meetings and monthly after-school meetings for teachers. ^{2:13:38 2:14:52 2:15:55 2:16:58 2:18:06}

Chandler asked what parts of the county AGLS students come from. A presenter said most students who accepted offers come from Seneca Ridge Middle School, with enrollees drawn from 12 middle schools countywide. Neil Slevin, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, then presented plaques to each principal for display in their school lobbies and said he expected the teams to return to the board with results in future years. ^{2:18:42 2:19:58}