Foreign language study begins in third grade, when the children take either French or Spanish. They continue with the language through fifth grade. In sixth grade, they may elect to continue the same language or choose a new one. Introductory courses in French, German, Italian or Spanish are offered at Hammarskjold Middle School, and the students take Level 1 of the language over a two-year period. Since the 1999-2000 school year was the first in which foreign language was offered in the elementary schools, new French and Spanish courses will be developed for sixth graders who decide to continue the language they begin in elementary school.
Students also have the option of beginning a new foreign language in eighth grade or later.
In addition to the other languages, Latin is offered in the junior high and high school. The programs are designed to help the students become sufficiently proficient in English to participate in English-language activities. About 207 students from 27 different language backgrounds are currently in ESL classes. They remain in the program until they are proficient in English, usually from one to three years. Elementary students have 30 minutes of ESL instruction daily and middle and secondary school students have one or two ESL class periods daily.