1050 E. Carver Road
Tempe
AZ
85284
Preparing Global Leaders: The Kyrene Middle School Dual Language Program Information
Middle school is a pivotal time for academic growth, self-discovery, and planning for the future. For families seeking high academic rigor and global awareness, the Dual Language program at Kyrene Middle School (KMS) in Tempe offers a pathway to lifelong bilingualism.
At a recent information night, school leaders, educators, and program alumni gathered to share how the program operates, how it prepares students for high school and college, and what prospective 6th-grade families can expect as they prepare to transition to middle school.
A 70/30 Instructional Model Rooted in Community and Culture
With over 900 students across campus and growing, KMS houses a vibrant cohort of roughly 60 Dual Language students per grade level. The program runs through a 70/30 immersion model where students complete their Social Studies and Language Arts courses fully in Spanish.
Because the curriculum mirrors peer core English classes using translated texts and matching learning targets, students maintain high academic standards while simultaneously developing high-level language acquisition skills. Beyond mechanics and grammar, culture plays a central role in the classroom through hands-on activities, traditional arts like papel picado, and annual cultural celebrations.
"When you can see their personality through the language, that’s when you know you’ve done a good job," shared Mrs. Esperanza Gonzalez, a former Kyrene Kid and current 7th Grade Dual Language Coordinator.
As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, KMS integrates classroom lessons into a broader framework of service learning and community involvement.
Measuring Success & Earning Early College Credit
To track progress, student language proficiency is evaluated annually through the AAPPL (Assessment of Performance towards Proficiency in Language) test. By 8th grade, these scores serve as a placement tool that can unlock high school credit before students ever set foot on their high school campus.
The educational journey doesn't end at KMS. Students can seamlessly transition into the Dual Language program at Marcos de Niza High School. There, students can:
- Earn college credits through Advanced Placement (AP) tests and dual-enrollment courses. (Historically, 93% of Marcos de Niza students who take the Spanish Language AP exam pass!)
- Work toward earning the prestigious Arizona Seal of Biliteracy by their junior year.
- Receive special regalia and certificates upon high school graduation.
Next Steps for Incoming 5th Grade Families
For current 5th-grade families planning their next steps, the transition process is designed to be smooth and accessible:
- Automatic Enrollment for Dual Language Students: 5th-grade Dual Language Program students attending Kyrene del Norte or Kyrene de los Lagos Dual Language Academy are automatically enrolled in the KMS Dual Language program.
- Open Enrollment: Families outside the designated boundaries or feeder schools can apply through Kyrene Open Enrollment.
- Scheduling Requests: Between November and January, Principal Scott Maxwell will visit 5th-grade classrooms at Kyrene del Norte to present options, and scheduling request forms will be sent home.
- Flexible Schedules: Dual Language students have access to Zero-Hour PE options to create more room for language acquisition, allowing them to participate in non-cut sports like wrestling, track, or cross country without missing core academic electives.
Important Dates to Save
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events to learn more, meet the staff, and see the program in action:
- November 4, 2026 (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM): Marcos de Niza High School Showcase Night (held at the MDN Campus)
- Winter 2026/2027: 5th Grade Showcase Night & Norte Campus Visits
- April 16, 2027: Kyrene Middle School International Festival (Join us for food, fun, and a celebration of student culture!)
For questions regarding enrollment, scheduling, or language testing, please contact the Kyrene Middle School Main Office or visit our Dual Language Program Page.
Washington DC Informational Presentation
PTO Upcoming Events!
KMS Parent Presentation 26-27
KMS Students Make Local and Global Impact During IB Day of Service
Students at Kyrene Middle School (KMS) came together for a single day of service that will make an impact both here at home and around the world. From packing hygiene kits for individuals experiencing homelessness to preparing meals for children in other countries, students proved that service knows no boundaries.
Between the morning bell and afternoon dismissal on Friday, November 14, KMS students took part in nearly 20 service projects designed to develop global citizenship, empathy and community engagement. Students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade worked with organizations such as the United Food Bank, Feed My Starving Children and the Arizona Humane Society.
Their participation was part of KMS’s inaugural IB Day of Service, giving students a chance to put the values of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program into action. This was Kyrene Middle School’s first year participating in the statewide event, which is in its fifth year.
"IB is about cultivating thoughtful, compassionate citizens," KMS Principal Scott Maxwell said. "The Day of Service allows students to translate those principles into tangible action, whether supporting their immediate community or contributing to causes around the world."
One group of students put those philosophies into action at Feed My Starving Children, where they packed enough meals to serve 256 children for one year. For 8th grade student William, the experience left a lasting impression.
“It’s a great opportunity to preserve some of our humanity across the globe, and for us to be giving back to those in our community who aren’t as fortunate,” William said.
At the United Food Bank, students and staff focused on helping those facing food insecurity closer to home by preparing more than 1,500 food boxes that will serve individuals and families across the Valley.
Meanwhile, back at KMS, the campus buzzed with activity as students tackled a variety of projects that directly benefited their own community. Some groups read to younger students at C.I. Waggoner, the adjoining elementary school, while others took part in campus beautification projects. Outdoor areas and classrooms held activities that included helping clean and maintain staff vehicles, making friendship bracelets for peers, weaving rugs for Gathering Humanity and packing food bags for KMS families.
The school-wide effort made true the saying “many hands make light work,” with one student witnessing the benefits of collaboration firsthand.
“My team was able to pack 72 food bags in 15 minutes,” 7th grade student Myra said. “I learned that when you’re all working as a community, it goes way faster.”
While the pillars of the IB Middle Years Programme are integrated across subjects and electives at KMS, the program’s success isn’t measured by grades or assessments alone. It is also reflected in students’ ability to think critically, collaborate and engage with the broader community—just as they did during the Day of Service.
"What impressed me most this first year wasn’t just the number of projects, but how thoughtfully students approached each one," Maxwell said. "They weren’t just checking boxes. They were thinking about the people they were helping, and that’s exactly the kind of engagement IB aims to foster. Next year, we hope to deepen that impact even further."
All in all, Kyrene Middle School students participated in the following activities:
Food Insecurity
- Packed Food Bags for KMS Families
- Packed Food Bags at United Food Bank
- Packed Food Bags with Feed My Starving Children
Animal Welfare
- Learned about Animal Advocacy and Care at the Arizona Humane Society
Peer / Student Support
- Read to Elementary School Students at C.I. Waggoner
- Made Friendship Bracelets for Peers
- Created Sensory Friendly Spirit Shakers
Humanitarian Service
- Created Affirmation Journals, Bookmarks and Rugs for Gathering Humanity to go to Child Refugees
Staff Appreciation
- Completed Basic Car Maintenance on Staff Vehicles
- Wrote Thank You Notes to KMS Staff
Campus Beautification
- Created IB and PBIS Posters for School to Increase Visibility
- Cleaned and Reorganized the Media Center
- Painted and Cleaned the Backstage of the MPR
- Created Games for Students to Practice Skills
- Cleaned and Organized the Fitness Center
- Cleaned and Organized the Display Case in the Lobby
- Cleaned Trophies
- Took Yearbook Photos to Document the Day
Community Belonging
- Wrote Cards for Senior Citizens
