Several Harnett County Public Schools to shutter Dual Language Immersion program

April 8, 2026 - 17:35

A popular educational initiative in Harnett County is coming to an end, leaving hundreds of families to make difficult decisions about their children's schooling. The public school district has announced the discontinuation of its Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, effective at the start of the next academic year.

This decision directly impacts over a thousand students currently enrolled in the specialized program, which provides instruction in both English and Spanish. With the program's closure confirmed, parents now face a tight deadline to choose their next steps. They must decide whether to transfer their children to a different school that offers similar language immersion opportunities or have them remain at their current school, which will no longer provide the DLI curriculum.

School administrators cite systemic challenges, including persistent staffing shortages and complex logistical hurdles in transportation and scheduling, as the primary reasons for ending the program. They stated that these operational issues have made it impossible to sustain the program's quality and reach across the district's elementary schools.

The announcement has generated significant concern among parents and educators who champion the academic and cultural benefits of bilingual education. Many families chose their current schools specifically for the DLI program and now must hastily evaluate their options for the fall semester. The district has committed to providing support and information to assist families through this transition period.