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.

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

• German 1, 2, 3, 4 
• Spanish 1, 2, 3, 4

The purpose of Level 1 and Level 2 is to build proficiency and skill in order to achieve a higher level of thinking in the target language. 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 are placed in Spanish I or German I. Students who opt to enter the language at Level 2 (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 a teacher's 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

Levels 2,3, and 4 in both German and Spanish have corresponding honors sections. Placement in an Honors level class is by a teacher's recommendation. The recommendation is based on the student’s past academic performance in that language.