Gr. 5-8

Gr. 9-12

Formal study of French or Spanish begins in grade five. We emphasize increasing the ability of students to communicate through listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The goal is for students to use appropriate strategies to engage in interpersonal dialogue, and to comprehend the main ideas of extended conversations. Also integral to the program is the study of the culture relating to each language.  Our students take district assessments in grades seven and eight.

Starting in the Fall of 2021, Checkpoint A courses will begin to align to the NYSED Revised Learning Standards for World Languages.

Upon entering grade nine, students are encouraged to continue at the second level of language started in middle school, and/or begin level one of another language.  French, German, Latin, Mandarin and Spanish are offered based on sufficient enrollment levels. German, Latin, and Mandarin courses offered in high school reflect the first offered coursework for those languages, and align to skills for Checkpoint A. When students reach the appropriate level of proficiency, they take the Checkpoint B assessment. Checkpoint B skills include differentiating tense forms, initiating and responding to more complex statements and questions, and writing on a variety of topics. Continued advanced study further refines, develops and enhances a given language beyond the standard Checkpoint B.

For students taking French and Spanish, courses offering dual credit through Niagara University’s NUStep program for 4a and 5a courses, typically taken during grades 11 and 12, respectively.