World Languages in CPSD

Clover Park School District offers a comprehensive range of world language programs, enabling students to learn French, German, Heritage Spanish, Japanese, or Spanish, as well as earn competency credits and/or achieve the Seal of Biliteracy. For specifics about which languages are taught at which schools, open the tabs below. 

Elementary Schools 

Idlewild Elementary offers Spanish in grades K-5. Other elementary schools may offer after-school enrichment classes in Spanish. The goal of these experiences is to develop an interest and desire to continue learning languages later in a student's school career. Note: Dual Language is offered in Hillside, Meriwether and Four Heroes elementary schools. 

Middle Schools 

Middle schools offer an exploratory Spanish class in Grade 6, where students have an opportunity to become acquainted with basic level reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. 

High Schools 

All high schools offer at least one world language. Clover Park High School offers French and Spanish. Harrison Preparatory offers Spanish. Lakes High School offers German, Japanese, and Spanish. Heritage Spanish courses are offered at all middle schools as well as Clover Park High School and Harrison Preparatory School. 

World Language Standards and Learning Targets 

CPSD aligns curriculum to the Washington State World Languages K-12 Learning Standards (2015), which are aligned with the national World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages available for download on the ACTFL World-Readiness Standards for Language Learning page. 

World Language Credit by Proficiency Testing 

CPSD is proud to be part of a statewide initiative that celebrates our students' diverse language skills via offering competency credits for languages learned outside of the classroom. For more details on this initiative, please visit the OSPI Competency-Based Credits for World Languages page. 

Students in grades 8-12 may earn up to four world language credits and qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy in any language in which they can demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Watch the video to learn more about the World Language Credit by Proficiency program. 

Determining Eligibility 

Student may determine if they are eligible by first considering their current language skills and asking themselves these questions: 

• I can understand ideas on familiar topics expressed through phrases, short sentences, and frequently used expressions. [Listening] 
• I can understand the main idea and some details in simple texts that contain familiar vocabulary. [Reading] 
• I can exchange information with another person about familiar tasks, topics and activities. [Person-to-Person Communication] 
• I can use a series of phrases and sentences to provide basic information about familiar topics. [Spoken Production] 
• I can write simple descriptions and short messages and request or provide information on familiar topics. [Writing] 

If a student can answer “Yes, I can do this fairly easily” to each statement below, then they will probably be able to earn at least 1-2 credits via taking the language test. If they can answer “Yes, I can do this very easily” to all statements, then they may be able to earn 3-4 credits. 

Registering for Testing 

Sign up for competency credit testing here. The registration is open during first semester and closes on the first day of second semester each year. Students will be contacted with a testing date and time at their respective schools in early spring. 

Obtaining Credit 

Credit will be granted if students meet the following levels of proficiency across the language skills tested for each language: 

• Novice Mid earns 1 credit 
• Novice High earns 2 credits 
• Intermediate Low earns 3 credits 
• Intermediate Mid earns 4 credits 

Seal of Biliteracy 

Graduating seniors who have met all graduation requirements and who have demonstrated their language skills through World Language Credit Testing (earning 4 credits) or by passing Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) language exams will have the honor of receiving the State Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal is intended to highlight the benefits in today’s world of speaking, reading, and writing English and at least one other language. 

Students received a Seal of Biliteracy sticker to affix to their high school diploma and a medallion to wear at graduation.