Language Requirement

Newburyport High School requires that all students complete two sequential years of study in one language. However, we strongly recommend that students seeking admission to four year colleges and universities complete at least three sequential years of language study.

Languages

German, and Spanish.

Sequence

The sequence of study for World Language students in the Newburyport Public Schools is as follows:

• Basic German
• German I
• German II
• German III
• Advanced German

• Basic Spanish
• Spanish I
• Spanish II
• Spanish III
• Spanish IV

The purpose of the Basic courses, Levels 1 & Levels 2 is to build proficiency and skill in order to achieve the higher level thinking in the target language that is needed for Levels 3 & Levels 4. This foundation gives all students, regardless of their previous experience, an equal opportunity to develop the skills they need in order to move on to the upper levels.

Placement

All incoming freshman will be placed in Basic Spanish or Basic German. Students who opt to enter the language at Level 1 (German or Spanish) must take a placement test and score at a proficient level. Upper classmen with previous language experience will be placed according to teacher recommendation.

Promotion

Promotion to the next level of study requires successful completion of the preceding course with
an average final grade of C or better.

Honors Credit

German: separate Honors classes are offered in German 2 and German 3. The Advanced German class is already designated as Honors credit only.

Spanish: separate Honors classes are offered in Spanish 2, Spanish 3 and Spanish 4.

Placement in an Honors level class will be by teacher recommendation. The recommendation is based on the student’s past academic performance in that foreign language.

Exchange Programs

Students studying both Spanish and German have the opportunity to participate in exchange programs.

• German American Partnership Program (GAPP)

Courses