Aurora Public Schools Opens Bilingual Magnet Program for 123 Students
The Betty Benavidez Bilingual School began instruction in October with a 90% Spanish curriculum for its first three grade levels.
By Lucas Navarro ·
Aurora Public Schools launched its first dual language magnet program in October, enrolling 123 students in the newly opened Betty Benavidez Bilingual School. Principal Anabel Rafoul said the opening marks a new phase for the district, which has spent the past year on operational planning to prepare for the first class of students.
The school serves students from preschool through fifth grade. Rafoul explained that the instructional model starts with a heavy emphasis on Spanish. For preschoolers, 90 percent of the day is conducted in Spanish and 10 percent in English. The ratio shifts as students advance, moving to an 80-20 split in first grade until it reaches a 50-50 balance by fifth grade. Rafoul noted that English literacy remains a constant part of the schedule, with specific classes designated for instruction in English.
The institution is named for Betty Benavidez, the first Latina elected to the Colorado Legislature in 1971. Benavidez sponsored the Bilingual Bicultural Act, which served as a foundation for Colorado's bilingual education laws. She died in 2013. APS spokesperson Corey Christiansen provided the pronunciation guide for the school's name, noting that it is said as es-SKWAY-luh buh-LEEN-gway Betty Benavidez.
Rafoul, who has taught for more than 20 years, moved from Mexico to Colorado to work in bilingual education. She holds a master's degree in Linguistically Diverse Education from the University of Colorado Boulder. Her career history includes roles as an elementary teacher, biliteracy instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. She described the magnet status as historic because it allows the school to draw students from across the district rather than limiting enrollment to a specific neighborhood boundary.
The district serves a large Spanish speaking population. Rafoul stated that more than 20,000 students in the district speak Spanish as their first language. With approximately 40,000 students enrolled in APS schools, she calculated that half of the student population has Spanish as a first language. The Hispanic and Latino community represents 31 percent of Aurora's total population according to recent census data.
Rafoul said the small size of the current student body allows staff to work directly with families. She reported that students have responded well to the immersion environment. The school recently added a music teacher and is expanding its library resources. Rafoul said these additions are intended to enrich the educational experience for the students in the building.
The school will continue to grow its grade levels over the next several years until it reaches full capacity at the fifth grade level. Applications for the 2027-2028 school year magnet program for the Betty Benavidez school and other district magnet schools open on November 13.
