Kids Excel at Foreign Language Learning
When families choose the Fayette County Public Schools, they are selecting an educational experience designed to equip their children to excel in whatever future they can imagine for themselves.
We open a world of possibilities for our students by providing a well-rounded curriculum that includes challenging core classes as well as instruction in art, music and world language.
Today’s graduates will compete in a world where more than half the population is bilingual. The number of Spanish speaking residents in the U.S. in 2019 is larger than the entire population of Spain!
FCPS offers world language instruction in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin and Spanish, plus dual language immersion in Spanish beginning in kindergarten and the International Baccalaureate Programme (IB) for students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Our district is one of only a few systems in the nation where world language instruction is offered in grades kindergarten through 12 in three different target languages – Chinese, Japanese and Spanish.
And Tates Creek elementary, middle and high school comprise one of fewer than 15 IB campuses in America.
Students are studying world languages in 100% of Fayette County middle and high schools and 55% of elementary schools. Nearly 270 high school students are enrolled in AP or IB courses in Spanish, French, German, Japanese and Latin.
We also serve more than 6,700 students from around the world whose families speak a language other than English at home. Our English language learners enrich our school community with more than 90 different languages.
Two years ago, FCPS became the first district in Kentucky to offer a districtwide Seal of Biliteracy for its graduates, a nationally recognized endorsement that indicates a student has achieved advanced language skills.
In 2018, we saw a 22% increase in students seeking the designation, and 87 students were awarded the Seal of Biliteracy last year after demonstrating proficiency in both English and Chinese, French, German, Nepali, Spanish, Swahili or Urdu.
The consulate of Spain has designated the district’s Spanish Immersion Program – at Liberty, Maxwell and Northern elementaries, Bryan Station Middle School and Bryan Station High School – as one of its “International Spanish Academies.”
FCPS was also the first school district in North America to be named an “Exemplary Confucius Classroom” by the Chinese Ministry of Education.
In addition to developing a lifelong ability to communicate with people from other countries, there are cognitive, academic and attitudinal benefits for students who acquire another language.
Plus, economists believe that by 2020, proficiency in more than one language will be among the most important job skills.
And that’s why we place a priority on cultural competency in the Fayette County Public Schools Portrait of a Graduate.