Expanding Horizons: Spanish I Coming to St. Madeleine Sophie School
We are thrilled to announce an exciting new academic opportunity coming to St. Madeleine Sophie School this year: Spanish I for our 8th Grade students!
As part of our continued commitment to academic excellence and providing students with meaningful opportunities to discover their passions and prepare for high school and beyond, we are proud to introduce Spanish I as a fully credited academic course. This marks an exciting milestone for our school community—it is the first time we are expanding our academic core with a new credit-bearing course.
Building a Strong Foundation for High School
Spanish I is designed to give students a strong foundation in the language while creating a seamless pathway into high school Spanish coursework. The course will be weighted into students’ GPAs and will challenge students to develop the communication skills, vocabulary, and language structures they will need to be successful in their continued study of Spanish.
Students will work toward skills aligned with the Washington State World Language Standards, with an emphasis on:
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Application of language structures and vocabulary
While the course will provide an excellent academic foundation for students who are interested in pursuing honors and AP coursework in high school, Spanish I is an exciting opportunity for all learners. Learning another language opens doors to new cultures, perspectives, and ways of connecting with others.
Meet Señora Shaw
We are incredibly blessed to have Mrs. Shaw, a certified Spanish teacher, leading this exciting new program.
Mrs. Shaw holds a degree in Spanish and has studied the language for 13 years. Her experience includes teaching an 8th Grade Spanish immersion class in Vancouver, Washington, as well as living in Spain and traveling throughout Spanish-speaking countries. She brings a deep appreciation for both the Spanish language and the cultures connected to it.
Most importantly, Mrs. Shaw is excited to share her passion with our students. She hopes to inspire them not only to communicate in Spanish but also to develop curiosity and appreciation for the many people and cultures that make up the Spanish-speaking world.
An Investment in Our Students
Adding Spanish I required thoughtful planning and a redesign of the 8th Grade schedule to make room for this new opportunity while maintaining the strength of our existing academic program. It is one more way we are intentionally investing in our students and expanding the opportunities available to them.
Over the past year, St. Madeleine Sophie School has been intentional about expanding our co-curricular and extracurricular programming, giving students more opportunities to explore their interests and develop new skills. The addition of Spanish I represents an exciting next step: expanding not just what students can do beyond the classroom, but what they can learn within the academic core.
Looking Toward the Future
Spanish I is just the beginning. Our long-term vision includes offering Spanish electives for younger students, allowing students to begin developing language skills earlier and creating an even stronger pathway into the credited Spanish I course in 8th grade.
We are so excited to continue growing our academic program in thoughtful and innovative ways that respond to the needs of our students and community. We look forward to sharing more exciting program announcements in the months ahead!
At St. Madeleine Sophie School, we believe that preparing students for what comes next means giving them the knowledge, skills, confidence, and curiosity to embrace new opportunities. Spanish I is another step forward in that mission—and we cannot wait to see where our students take it.
