Breaking Barriers: LSOA to Launch Nation’s First Virtual Dual Language Kindergarten

In an exciting step forward for bilingual education and virtual learning, Lone Star Online Academy (LSOA) is launching the nation’s first virtual dual language immersion (DLI) kindergarten program in Fall 2025. This tuition-free program—available to all Texas families—marks a national milestone in combining academic innovation with flexible, at-home learning. 

The program begins with kindergarten and will expand each year, adding first grade in 2026, second in 2027, and continuing as students grow. More than 100 bilingual kindergarten students are expected to enroll in the inaugural year. 

Unlike traditional ESL programs, which focus primarily on English, DLI programs teach core academic subjects in both English and a partner language—in this case, Spanish.  

This program follows a Spanish/English immersion model, providing kindergarten students with 90% of their instruction in Spanish and 10% in English. In later grades, English instruction gradually increases, setting the stage for students to become confident in both languages. This model strengthens bilingual fluency, boosts comprehension, and builds cultural awareness, giving young learners the tools they need to succeed in a global society. 

“Dual language immersion gives students the academic foundation and life skills to thrive in a global society,” said Laura Thiess, the English Language Learners (ELL) Manager, at LSOA at LSOA. “The research is clear — biliteracy supports stronger test scores, better emotional regulation, and higher graduation rates. But more than that, it empowers students with cultural pride, empathy, and real-world readiness.” 

Grounded in Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards and aligned with the Texas Effective Dual Language Immersion Framework, LSOA’s new program offers rigorous instruction in both English and Spanish. 

The benefits of dual language education go far beyond the classroom: 

• Academic: Higher achievement in reading, writing, math, and science 

• Cognitive: Improved literacy, planning, and flexible thinking 

• Social-emotional: Stronger self-esteem, empathy, and cultural awareness 

• Long-term: Better college and career readiness 

With nearly 15,000 students already enrolled and over 11% of them bilingual, LSOA is continuing to lead the charge in virtual public education. 

To learn more about this groundbreaking program, click here.