Spanish Immersion Pathways

Students who complete the SI program, will receive the following:

1. A designation on their diploma of graduating “with academic distinction in Spanish Immersion”

2. A certificate of biliteracy (pending further research)

3. An option to take AP exams in Spanish Language & Culture and Spanish Literature & Culture

4. An option to receive honors credit for multiple years of Spanish Language courses (not currently available to non-SI students)

Mission trip preference - for any SI student interested in a mission trip to a Spanish-speaking country, they will be given priority in our student selection process.

Practical experience opportunities - we are working to develop an application-focus to the upper school SI experience, where students have practical opportunities to exercise their language skill through service, leadership, and other unique challenges.

Personal growth - it is hard to underestimate just how powerful an immersion learning experience can be for the personal growth and development of a student. Immersion has the potential to open up a world of possibilities that we can only begin to tap into.

No. We will be structuring our World History, US History, and Government/Economics classes in such a way that SI students who qualify for AP classes will be able to complete additional coursework and prep classes to be ready for the AP exam and receive AP course credit (which bears GPA considerations).

Not really. Many students do not take four years of a foreign language, but they fill those last two years with something different. It is very reasonable for a student to take four years of foreign language and not “feel” the difference compared to their peers.

Absolutely! We are very excited about the staff we have teaching these courses, and they are even more excited to teach them! All of our SI teachers are first-language Spanish speakers, but completely fluent in English as well to help communicate with you through the experience. Their passion for both the content and for their students is quickly evident, which you will notice right away.

No. However, some opportunities may bear additional cost (AP exams, mission trips, etc.).

No. AP exams are only required for students who take the courses for honors credit, which is optional at each step.

At this point, it is a combined effort between Mr. Snyder (US Principal), Mrs. Lomuscio (teacher), Mr. Curiel (teacher), and Mrs. Essery (LS Spanish Immersion Director). As the program grows, we will reevaluate our oversight process to ensure our quality and opportunities continue to grow.

Students are not required to continue with Spanish Immersion in high school. The majority of classes an SI student will take in high school will be done in English, since we are only able to offer 2 courses each year in Spanish. In order to complete the Spanish Immersion program, students will be required to take both courses all 4 years. However, SI students will be welcome to take an SI course to fulfill graduation requirements without completing the full program. So it is an option to take the Spanish Language course, for example, for 2 years in preparation for the AP Spanish exam and to fulfill ACA and college requirements, without fully completing the SI program.

As a reminder, the foreign language ACA graduation requirement is one year. However, most colleges will want to see two years of foreign language credit. For an SI student who does not continue with the program, there are three feasible options for meeting the foreign language requirement:

1. Spanish Language course developed for SI students

2. American Sign Language

3. Another foreign language taken online through an approved provider

Yes! At the time of reenrollment, students are asked if they intend to stay with the SI program or not. If you indicate on your reenrollment that you are continuing but then later change your mind to switch to English, that is acceptable. The same is true if you indicate you are transferring out to English but then change your mind to stay. This decision can be made at any point up until course changes are no longer allowed during the first quarter of freshman year.