EXPLORE
- Spanish Immersion II
- Spanish Immersion Driver’s Ed & PE2
- Spanish Immersion World History II
- Community Service & Cultural Experience Hours
- 10 Related Hours
- English 10
- Math/ ALG II
- Science
- Elective (or Econ Finance)
EXPLORE
When you step into the Spanish Immersion Center, you’re not just learning a language, you’re opening the door to a world of possibilities. Our immersive learning environment empowers students to develop fluency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in Spanish. They engage with the language daily across a wide range of academic subjects and cultural topics, gaining a deeper understanding of global perspectives.
Contact Us Coordinator: Alexsis Booher Email: alexsis_booher@ccpsnet.net Phone: 804-739-6275 x5180 Follow Us Instagram Facebook
The research is clear: Immersion programs, in which students spend at least 50 percent of their time learning in a second language, work amazingly well in developing students’ fluency and skills.
At the Spanish Immersion Center, our goal is to broaden students’ perspectives by fostering an appreciation for diverse cultures, particularly those of the Spanish-speaking world. Through language, we aim to build bridges in our community and promote unity by encouraging students to use their Spanish skills beyond the classroom.
Our immersive learning environment empowers students to develop fluency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in Spanish. They engage with the language daily across a wide range of academic subjects and cultural topics, gaining a deeper understanding of global perspectives.
Students in our program benefit from unique opportunities, including field trips, cultural events, and community engagement, all designed to bring the Spanish language to life. These real-world experiences reinforce classroom learning and inspire students to apply their skills in meaningful ways.
A distinctive feature of our program is the availability of core academic courses taught entirely in Spanish, courses that are typically offered only in English at other high schools. This comprehensive approach ensures that our graduates leave the program not only bilingual and biliterate but also confident and prepared for success in college, careers, and beyond.
When you enter into the Spanish Immersion Center, doors will open. It is up to you to step in! Every year there are many chances to learn outside of the classroom and visit many exciting places where you can use your Spanish.
Spanish Immersion students have the opportunity to experience a variety of cultural events both in and outside of the classroom. Spanish speaking guest speakers are invited to speak with our students on a variety of topics. Students also attend a yearly trip to Washington D.C. They attended a bilingual play at the Gala Hispanic Theatre and visited the Mexican Cultural Institute during Dia de los Muertos.
Spanish Immersion students are also granted the opportunity to study abroad over the summer. Students are fully immersed in a Spanish speaking country for 2-3 weeks. They live with a vetted host family, attend classes, and participate in daily guided excursions. The summer of 2025 Spanish Immersion students will be traveling to Heredia and Samara Costa Rica.
The Center for Spanish Immersion is committed to being a strong presence within the community. Over the past few years the program has worked with the Virginia Hispanic Foundation, VMFA, El Librotazo, the Christmas Mother Foundation, Feedmore, Chesterfield County Foodbank, Chalkley Elementary, Falling Creek Elementary, Beulah Elementary, Elizabeth Scott Elementary, Alberta Smith Elementary, Spring Run Elementary and Clover Hill Elementary.
Spanish Immersion seniors visit local elementary schools to help English language learners thrive in their classrooms and offer additional support to CCPS teachers.
Students also help with kindergarten registration days around the county. The students help interpret when needed and provide teachers with assistance when completing the Kindergarten Readiness Check.
The Center for Spanish Immersion has recently developed a working relationship with the Virginia Hispanic Foundation. The Virginia Hispanic Foundation has also provided the program several community opportunities through volunteering within the community and also through their Leadership Club offered at Falling Creek Elementary and Elizabeth Scott Elementary.
These events truly add to the experience of the program because the students gain confidence in using their Spanish in the real world while also helping their community.
Another way that our students benefit from the Spanish Immersion program is by creating strong bonds with other highly motivated students. We offer peer tutoring during school hours where our upperclassmen assist any younger student that may need a little help with Immersion classes. We also extend this mentoring beyond academics through our “Hermanos, hermanitos” program where the upperclassmen “adopt” a freshman in the program. We have events where the mentors and their mentees can get to know each other. We also have a special “reveal week” in October where the mentors leave clues via notes and small gifts to help their mentee guess their identity! At the end of that week, the mentors reveal their identity to the freshmen and usually by that time, a bond has started to form. This allows our freshmen to feel more comfortable with the program and ensures that they have at least one mentor in the program who can help answer any questions they might have during the transition to high school.
The Virginia’s Governor’s Spanish Language Academy
The Virginia Governor’s Spanish Language Academy is a three week immersive opportunity held at the University of Washington and Lee. The academy typically runs mid June- the first week of July. The academy is a true immersive experience in Virginia. Students are required to only speak, read, write and listen in Spanish.
There is a very selective application process for the academy. The Center for Spanish Immersion is awarded one nomination each year. If the nominee accepts the nomination they will then work closely with the Spanish Immersion Coordinator and the World Language Department Head to complete the application and interview prior to the January deadline. The academy will make selections around the end of March or early April.
Your child will learn to effectively converse, write, listen, and read in a second language. Your child will be in an environment where he/she will be able to listen and speak in Spanish on a regular basis about a variety of topics including culture of Spanish-speaking countries. The main benefit of the Immersion program is that your son or daughter will graduate bilingual and biliterate as we offer a variety of classes in Spanish that are only offered in English in other high schools.
The student must be enrolled in Spanish I, II or III, or be a heritage speaker of Spanish with some knowledge of basic written grammar. It is recommended that the student have a good grasp of the subject and maintain a high grade in his/her language and math classes.
By using Spanish in various classes, on trips, and as translators at various community events, Spanish Immersion students acquire a command of the Spanish language that one does not normally receive through traditional Spanish courses. Our students take 12 classes in Spanish over the course of 4 years compared to 4 Spanish classes for a regular high school’s student schedule. Also, our small classes allow for more opportunities for students to practice their Spanish via presentations and one-on-one with the teacher. Many community organizations, including a few elementary schools, have developed a relationship with our program so that our students can use their Spanish in the real world as translators for a variety of events like literacy fairs, Kindergarten Registration, Back to School Night mentors and Christmas with a Cop.
The Seal of Biliteracy is an award made by a state department of education or local district to recognize a student who has attained proficiency in English and one or more other world languages by high school graduation. The Seal of Biliteracy serves to certify attainment of biliteracy for students, employers and institutions of higher education. It is a statement of accomplishment that helps to signal evidence of a student’s readiness for career and college, and for engagement as a global citizen. Spanish Immersion students can earn the seal of biliteracy by earning a score of I3 or higher on the AAPPL exam (offered freshmen and sophmore year) earning a score of 3 or higher on the AP Spanish Language exam (offered junior year) or by studying abroad and earning a CEFR rating of B1 or higher (offered rising junior and senior year). More information can be found at the Virginia Department of Education website.
Yes! In fact, many of our students are athletes, sing in the MHS choir, play for the MHS marching band, participate in the Lancer Theatre Company and are active members of a variety of clubs. Immersion Students are often SMART mentors, mentors for incoming freshmen and new students.
Entrénate is an opportunity during the summer preceding the freshman year that serves as orientation to the program for new members of the Immersion family. Prospective students get a preview of Immersion life as they sample math, authentic games, culture, Latin food, etc. in Spanish for the first time! This is also an ideal way for our students, who come from middle schools throughout the county, to get to know their peers before school begins.
Lancer Padres
The Lancer Padres Booster Club is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote, support, and foster the advancement of the Center for Spanish Immersion and the education of the Spanish language and culture by providing funding and volunteer services to enrich formal education and community cultural experiences.
The goal of Lancer Padres is to provide scholarships for students to study abroad, supply teachers with additional resources, and to provide students with additional learning experiences through community activities and field trips. The Lancer Padres are present at almost all Spanish Immersion activities! They assist with recruitment events, the Winter Party, Interview Day and the End of the Year Ceremony.
Apply using the SchoolMint online application Wednesday, Oct. 2 – Sunday, Dec. 6
The Spanish immersion application requires two recommendations from your current middle school Spanish teacher and one of your choice. There will also be an in person interview required. This will be in January 11th & 12th of 2027. More information will be sent out to applicants before winter break.
Applicants should submit their application using the SchoolMint application program found at CCPS/Specialty Center website. Applications are open from October 1- December 5.