Is your kid in 8th grade at Washington Latin?

[Anonymous]

Can someone tell me how hard it would be to join as a newbie in 9th and take two new languages (i.e. Latin and whatever non-Spanish foreign language is offered). My child takes Spanish which, strangely, doesn't appear to be an option at Latin.

[Anonymous]

Hi PP--9th grade is the last year that newbies may join the school--for precisely the reason you ask. For all grades through ninth, newbies would enter Latin I. If a child joined in 9th, they could get four years of Latin in. In 8th, five etc. Children join at every grade level through ninth, so they would not be in a class of one. Spanish is a great foundation for Latin (and vice versa). I think your kid would enjoy it. In many schools, kids begin studying Latin in HS.
For the modern languages (French, Chinese, Arabic is being developed) children are offered the option of beginning the second language in 8th grade but they lose their study hall. Most kids opt not to do this and begin their second language in HS (where they keep the study hall). So your child, through 9th, would be right on track entering. Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your reply. I wish the website was as informative.

[Anonymous]

You're most welcome. A part of the website you may find helpful are the homework wikis on the bottom. You can generally see what the children are working on in each grade, and it's a great resource for the children. The school has many information sessions for interested parents and people willing to answer questions like yours--if you contact them I am sure you will find what you seek. Diana Smith is the Academic Dean--ask for her.