Fifth grade students begin their foreign language at the Academy with this introductory course. Students develop language study skills as they encounter basic grammatical constructions and extensive vocabulary using an introductory Latin-based curriculum. Students learn to recognize the influence of Latin on English by making connections between the Latin vocabulary they learn and English derivatives. The course’s linguistic components are complemented by some cultural exposure to ancient Rome.

In French IA/IB, the most important tasks are developing comprehension and speaking skills. Once comprehension and the ability to respond readily in basic situations are established, students learn to express themselves correctly in writing. Students begin to develop reading skills through short passages that have a connection with vocabulary units or cultural topics. Students also work on individual projects relating to the monuments of Paris, famous Francophone historical figures and French-speaking countries. Text and workbook: Bon Voyage I. A summer reading project is required for continuing students.

This is an introductory language course that provides students with a functional approach to both the cultural and grammatical study of Latin. Gaining familiarity with the language, mastering a wide vocabulary base and developing an understanding of the basic grammatical structures are primarily emphasized. The students use Ecce Romani, a modern reading-based text, and begin translation on the first day of class. This work is supplemented with units on classical mythology, etymology, and Roman geography, history and civilization. A summer reading project is required for continuing students.

Students develop receptive (listening, reading) and productive (speaking, writing) skills, as well as gain insight into Hispanic cultures through classroom activities and exercises that emphasize proficiency. Supplementary audiovisual materials enhance the program and reinforce grammatical concepts. Cultural and geographical lessons acquaint students with the diversity of people who speak Spanish. Text, workbook, and videotape: ¡Buen Viaje! A summer journal project is required for continuing students.

In French I, the most important tasks are the development of oral comprehension and speaking skills. Once comprehension and the ability to respond readily in basic situations are established, students learn to express themselves correctly in writing. Students begin to develop reading skills through short passages that have a connection with vocabulary units or cultural topics. During the year, students work on individual projects relating to the monuments of Paris and famous Francophone historical figures. Text and online workbook (Supersite): D’Accord I, Vista.

In this course, continued emphasis is placed on the development of conversational skills. More frequent writing assignments encourage students to use vocabulary and grammatical structures to express their thoughts. During the course of the year, students prepare presentations on the provinces of France. Text and online workbook (Supersite): D’Accord II, Vista.
Departmental recommendation required.

Conducted almost exclusively in French, the class provides a thorough review of grammatical structures taught in previous classes and introduces the literary past tense, conditional sentences and the subjunctive. Oral skills and reading proficiency are stressed. Student projects in French chateaux of the Loire Valley are assigned. Text and online workbook: D’Accord III, Vista.
Departmental recommendation required.  

This course is conducted exclusively in French. The curriculum builds on the previous years’ skills, stressing acquisition of useful vocabulary through oral presentations and written mastery of the French language for contemporary life. Students read short stories and current event articles. Text and online workbook: D’Accord IV, Vista.
Departmental recommendation required.

This course is conducted exclusively in French. Emphasizing the use of French for active communication, the course helps students to develop the ability to understand spoken French in various contexts and to express themselves coherently, resourcefully, and with reasonable fluency and accuracy in both written and spoken French.  The AP French Language and Culture curriculum deals  primarily with prose fiction spanning centuries of French and francophone literature but concentrates on 19th, 20th and 21st century narratives.  The four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are integrated.  The readings take students beyond simple comprehension into higher-order thinking of application, synthesis and evaluation.  The AP exam is administered in early May.
Departmental recommendation required.

This course emphasizes gaining familiarity with the structure of the Latin language, mastering a wide vocabulary base, and developing an understanding of the basic grammatical forms and concepts. The students use a modern reading-based text, begin translating on the first day of class, and work throughout the year to synthesize their knowledge with effective translation techniques. The study of grammar incorporates extensive grammatical handouts and worksheets. In addition, the students are exposed to Roman geography, history, and civilization. Text: Ecce Romani. A summer reading project is required for continuing students.

This course, through the Ecce Romani text and workbook, continues to expand the students’ knowledge of vocabulary, solidify their understanding of the more complex grammatical structures, and improve their translation skills. In the final trimester, students work to move beyond the textbook Latin by beginning to read The Millionaire’s Dinner Party, an adaptation of the Cena Trimalchionis of Petronius. A summer reading project is required for continuing students.
Departmental recommendation required.

This course is a survey of different types of Latin prose. Students study excerpts from Livy’s History of Rome, Caesar’s Gallic Wars, and Cicero’s First Catilinarian Oration, as well as selected letters of Pliny the Younger. In addition, students work to expand their understanding of grammar through both review and exercises in prose composition, to become familiar with the stylistic elements of Latin literature, and to learn to read with an eye to the broader historical and cultural context. A summer reading project is required for continuing students.
Departmental recommendation required.

Advanced Latin Literature is offered in alternating years with the AP Latin Vergil course. In this course, students translate, analyze and interpret a variety of Latin poetry, concentrating on the poems of Catullus and selections from Ovid’s Metamorphoses and Amores. Literal translation, sight-reading and familiarity with the cultural, social and political context of the literature are emphasized. Students also devote significant time to developing analytical writing skills. Due to the rigor of the course and quantity of material, this course carries an additional 0.3 points in the weighted 4.0 scale and may require additional time. A summer reading project is required for continuing students.
Departmental recommendation required.

The AP Vergil course is offered in alternating years with Advanced Latin Literature. In the course, students read the entire Aeneid in English, translate more than 1800 lines of Latin, analyze the text, and study the epic tradition. Translation, sightreading and familiarity with the cultural, social and political context of the literature are emphasized. Students also devote significant time to developing analytical writing skills. Because the AP exam is administered in early May, the material to be covered may require additional time. A summer reading project is required for continuing students.
Departmental recommendation required.

From the beginning, Spanish I focuses on building basic communicative skills so that simple conversations and regular classroom business can be conducted in Spanish. Students then begin to rapidly build their repertoire of fundamental vocabulary and grammar while learning the mechanics of good writing and oral expression. Exercises and activities are varied, and include computer-based oral practice. Presentations on Hispanic food and famous Hispanic people are also utilized to strengthen language skills and deepen cultural understanding. Text, workbook, and lab manual: Vistas. A summer reading project is required for continuing students.

Students continue to build their command of essential vocabulary and grammatical structures, including commands, the imperfect and present perfect tenses, and an introduction to the subjunctive. Increased emphasis is placed on using Spanish in the classroom, and situational dialogs are used extensively to improve communicative ability. Projects include writing and illustrating a children’s story using the preterite and imperfect, and scripting and recording an instructional video to practice commands. Text, workbook, and lab manual: Vistas. A summer reading project is required for continuing students.
Departmental recommendation required. 

As we delve more deeply into advanced grammar, students learn to synthesize their knowledge and to express themselves more fluidly. Most classroom business and discussions are conducted in Spanish. Our grammatical focus in on mastery of all tenses of the subjunctive, and emphasis is placed on incorporating this difficult verb mood into students’ writing and speech. We progress through increasingly advanced vocabulary units, including politics and the environment. Text, workbook, and lab manual: Vistas. A summer reading project is required for continuing students.
Departmental recommendation required.

Class is conducted exclusively in Spanish. Students engage in frequent class discussions, analyzing short stories, short films, pieces of music, and works of art, and expressing their opinions about current events and cultural topics.  Students continue to build a more advanced vocabulary around chapter themes such as Nuestro mundo (Our World), Creencias e ideologías (Beliefs and Ideologies), and La tecnología y la ciencia (Technology and Science).  Students review and reinforce essential grammatical topics and continue to develop both oral and written expression.  Text: Imagina: Español sin barreras. A summer reading project is required for continuing students.
Departmental recommendation required. 

This course is conducted exclusively in Spanish. Emphasizing the use of Spanish for active communication, the AP Spanish Language course encompasses aural/oral skills, reading comprehension, grammar, and composition. The course will help students to develop the ability to comprehend formal and informal spoken Spanish and to express ideas orally with accuracy and fluency. Extensive training in the organization and writing of compositions will be emphasized. The curriculum continues to build and strengthen students’ mastery of vocabulary and grammar. Materials will include audio and video recordings, films, newspapers, magazines, and literature. Because the AP exam is administered in early May, the material to be covered may require additional time.
Departmental recommendation required.