HISD Dual Language Programs Recognized by Spanish Ministry

There are five new dual-language schools joining the HISD dual-language International Spanish Academy family. The dual-language programs at Gary Herod L. Elementary School, Mark Twain Elementary School, William H. Wharton, Albert Sidney Johnston Middle School, and John Henninger Reagan High School are being recognized for excellence by the government of Spain. Spain's Ministry of Education and Science has chosen these schools to be International Spanish Academies. These five schools join James Helms Community Learning Center, John Herrera Elementary School, and Luther Burbank and Alexander Hamilton Middle School participating in this innovative enrichment program.

These HISD schools are the first in Texas to participate in this program and are among only 150 schools chosen nationwide for this honor. HISD's dual-language immersion program helps students to become fluent in both English and Spanish.

At the high school level the International Spanish Academy (ISA) program will provide access double academic accreditation through the Embassy of Spain's Education Office. In addition, HISD students (ages 16 and older) will be eligible for summer exchange programs in order to prepare for the AP Spanish Language and Literature examinations.

Teachers in the ISA schools will be eligible for professional development through an annual International Spanish Academy seminar and summer enrichment programs at Spanish universities. Participating teachers also will receive assistance and supplemental materials during the school year.

The Spanish Ministry of Education will also provide one teaching assistant per campus. The assistants will be recent graduates of Spanish universities who wish to receive hands-on educational experience in U.S. classrooms.

For More information Contact Terrie Armstrong - HISD Multilingual Department - 713-556-6961.