Middle School Spanish Immersion
Why Continue Spanish Immersion in Middle School?
Enrollment in the Spanish Immersion Elementary program is a commitment to a K-12 educational journey. Language proficiency, much like physical exercise, requires consistent practice to maintain and strengthen skills. Without continued use, language abilities can diminish over time. Mastering a second language, such as Spanish, opens the door to numerous academic, professional, and personal opportunities. These opportunities arise at different stages: some as early as middle school, others throughout high school, and many more throughout a lifetime, both in careers and higher education.
For Spanish Immersion students who complete the program and meet assessment criteria, several notable opportunities include:
Spanish Immersion students may enter high school with 1 credit of World Language (Spanish III); this credit is based on their 8th-grade STAMP assessment result.
Eligibility for the South Dakota Seal of Biliteracy, with most students achieving the Silver level by 9th grade and many the Gold level by 10th or 11th grade.
The ability to earn post-secondary credits earlier in high school through additional Advanced Placement (AP) and dual enrollment courses available to Spanish Immersion students.
Elementary to Middle School Transition
Guaranteed Transition Pathways*
Elementary School | Rosa Parks | Sonia Sotomayor | Hayward |
|---|---|---|---|
Middle School | Ben Reifel | Edison | George McGovern |
*Guaranteed pathway is conditional on continued enrollment in the Spanish Immersion program.
Lear More About:
Spanish Immersion Courses
All 3 Middle School Spanish Immersion program Locations offer students three core courses in Spanish and two core courses in English. The program offers acceleration and enrichment of core curriculum in the areas of English Language Arts, Math, and Spanish Science.
6th Grade Core Classes |
|---|
English Language Arts Math (in English) Spanish Immersion Science Spanish Immersion Social Studies Spanish Language Arts |
7th Grade Core Classes |
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English Language Arts Math (in English) Spanish Immersion Science Spanish Immersion Social Studies Spanish Language Arts |
8th Grade Core Classes |
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English Language Arts Math (in English) Spanish Immersion Science Spanish Immersion Social Studies Spanish Language Arts |
Accelerated classes are offered in Math, ELA, and Spanish Immersion Science. Students qualify based on test scores, performance, and teacher recommendations. Course offerings are dependent on student needs.
ENCORE Classes
ENCORE Classes are exploratory in nature and our goal is to give students new experiences in different subject areas. Students need Health for 2 years to meet South Dakota high school graduation requirements. Encore course offerings could include Art, PE, Career Technical Education (CTE), Computer Technology, Family & Consumer Science (FACS), Health, Band, Orchestra, and Choir.
Gifted services are scheduled into the ENCORE periods every other day for the year or semester by request.
Spanish Assessments
Middle School administers the STAMP assessment in the spring of 8th grade.
STAMP
The STAMP test is administered to Immersion students to assess their language proficiency, with Spanish Immersion students taking the test in grades 2, 5, 8, and 11. The purpose of the STAMP assessment is to: measure the success of the Spanish Immersion program and provide students an opportunity to earn a Seal of Biliteracy. In May of their 8th grade year, students take the STAMP assessment again, having already completed it in elementary school. If they score a 4 or higher, they earn Spanish 3 credit on their high school transcript. This assessment also contributes to qualifying for the Seal of Biliteracy.
Spanish I & II Credit by Exam Option:
The summer between 8th grade and 9th grade students are given the option to sign up to take the Spanish I and/or II credit by exam. Students scoring 85% or higher on the assessment are given credit on their High School transcript. Information regarding signup and preparation for the assessment is sent home to families. If students choose not to take the assessments the summer between 8th and 9th grade they are able to take them during their high school years by contacting the SFSD Assessment Office.
Students are encouraged to consult with their counselors about the need/benefit of acquiring these additional low-level world language credits.
SFSD Assessment Office
✆ (605) 367-6112
➢ ITS - Assessment & Evaluation
Elizabeth Herrboldt
Director of Federal Programs and Language Immersion
✆ (605) 367-7923
✉ Email Elizabeth Herrboldt
➢ IPC - Federal Programs
Dr. Andy McKay
K-12 Spanish Immersion Specialist
✆ (605) 367-7900
✉ Email Andrew McKay
➢ IPC