Wakefield Spanish Immersion Program

Immersion Program

Wakefield serves as the home for Arlington Public Schools’ high school level of the Spanish dual-language partial immersion program. The immersion program at Wakefield is designed to continue and expand on the study of Spanish language and culture begun in middle school and increase the study of Spanish literature. Wakefield has been recognized as an International Spanish Academy by the Spanish Embassy in Washington, DC and the Spanish Ministry of Education.  More information about the International Spanish Academies is available at http://www.educacion.gob.es/eeuu/en_US/convocatorias-programas/convocatorias-eeuu/isa

Students who attend Wakefield as part of the Immersion Program and live outside the Wakefield attendance zone are entitled to bus transportation.

 Currently, the Immersion program offers the following:

• Courses in Spanish:
• Spanish Immersion I
• Spanish Immersion II*
• AP Spanish Language
• AP Spanish Literature I
• AP Spanish Literature II

*Immersion II is open to students in grades 10-12. While AP Spanish Language followed by AP Spanish Literature is the recommended sequence, the Immersion II course offers flexibility in terms of sequencing, meaning that a student could take Spanish Immersion II after having taken one or more AP Spanish classes. 

• Senior Project: Students may opt to do their project partially or entirely in Spanish and/or related to Latin American or Spanish topics.  Past topics include: Exploring my Bolivan Heritage, Volunteering at an Orphanage for Special Needs Children in Guatemala, Learning about the Foods of Peru, Understanding the Basque Country, Connecting Language Proficiency with Academic Success, and Creative Outreach of Chilean Underprivileged Athletes.
• Costa Rica Study Abroad Experience
  
• DELE Exam at no cost:  The DELE is a test of Spanish proficiency administered by the Spanish Ministry of Education and the Spanish Embassy.  The results of the test can be used to partially meet admission requirements to a Spanish university.

Opportunities to apply for special scholarships to study abroad: As an International Spanish Academy, Immersion students are eligible to apply for study and travel abroad opportunities organized by the Spanish Ministry of Education, the Cervantes Institute, and the Embassy of Spain.

Questions about the Spanish Immersion Program can be directed to Dr. Willmore at 703-228-6705 or by email: chris.willmore@apsva.us