What did you do for advanced foreign language at Ellington

[Anonymous]

People with actual experience please. Opinions of DESA aren't be useful.

My incoming 9th grader is done with French 2. Shadow day confirmed she needs a level up. On shadow day the teacher said we can work out an alternative because DESA doesn't have advanced language. Anyone done this? Did your child do an on line course and if so, did DCPS pay for it?

[Anonymous]

Not an Ellington parent.

When this happens in DCPS they typically start your child in another language where they would be a beginner, or they go to a different high school where it is offered.

Upperclassmen can take classes at nearby colleges (dual enrollment) where schedule permits

[Anonymous]

Some DCPS high schools offer AP French. You could ask Ellington to consider offering it.

[Anonymous]

Hi, Ellington parent here. I don't have experience personally with your situation but I talked with a student last year who came in at a French IV level so I have a little bit of info.

Ellington used to offer French IV and AP French but there aren't enough students to fill out those classes these days so they were dropped. Also Spanish IV was not offered last year either. To me it seems chicken and egg-- you don't offer the classes so you don't get the students wanting those classes. But I digress.

This student took French outside of Ellington-- I think online. I don't know if she paid or DCPS paid. She took the AP French exam, which you can do without taking the AP class (a lot of parents don't know this but any student can take an AP exam in any subject without taking the AP class). She also was considering the programs where DCPS kids can take classes at universities -- https://dcps.dc.gov/service/participate-dual-enrollment. I don't know if she ended up doing that or not.

Another way to go would be to take Italian or Spanish instead of French. Ellington offers both.

She can also apply for a DCPS study abroad trip her junior summer to a French speaking country, all expenses paid. Most kids who apply can go as there are a lot of trips and spaces available.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks! She already did Spanish immersion K-5 and can read and understand some Italian, so we'll look into pursuing those other options.