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Manchester High School

Center for Spanish Immersion

Welcome to the Center for Spanish Immersion

Our goal is to open the eyes and minds of the students to other important cultures. We want our students to learn Spanish well and use it in the community to help form a sense of unity in our society.

Aún hay tiempo para solicitar al centro de inmersión. Submit your application today using the SchoolMint application https://ccpsopportunities.com/login by December 2.

Freshman Year

  • Immersion 1
  • Health & P.E. 9
  • Geometry

Sophomore Year

  • Immersion 2
  • Health & P.E. 10
  • Algebra II

Junior Year

  • AP Spanish Language
  • Humanities I
  • Immersion Elective

Senior Year

  • AP Spanish Literature
  • Humanities II
  • Immersion Elective

Spanish Immersion

Why Immersion is Important?

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.

Please email Alexsis Booher if you have any questions (Alexsis_Booher@ccpsnet.net).

View our recent feature on Building Better Minds

Spanish Immersion FAQ

What will my child learn in the Immersion program?

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.

What are the requirements to apply for the Spanish Immersion program?

The student must be enrolled in Spanish I, II or III, or be a native 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.

How do I apply?

Apply using the SchoolMint online application October 14-December 2: https://ccpsopportunities.com/login

The Spanish immersion application requires a 250 word personal statement and two recommendations from your current middle school Spanish teacher and one of your choice. Your personal statement should describe why you are interested in the Spanish Immersion center. There will also be an in person interview required. This will be in late January or early February.

Online applications will be available OCTOBER 14th, on the CCPS/Specialty Center website. You will submit your application using the SchoolMint application program. Follow directions on SchoolMint to complete your application.

Applications must be submitted by December 2nd.

Teacher recommendations due through SchoolMint by your teachers.

Acceptance offers and wait list offers will be posted on March 10th.

Student acceptances due by March 27th.

Who teaches the classes?

We have a wonderful group of qualified individuals who teach our classes. Some of our teachers have also studied other areas of education along with Spanish so that they are qualified to teach other subjects in Spanish. Our teachers are very passionate about education as well as the Spanish language and provide top-notch education.

Will transportation be provided?

If the student lives in the Manchester district he/she will use the Manchester bus system. If not, there are several bus systems the student can access through his/her home schools. Please visit the CCPS transportation page for more info.

What are some benefits and opportunities for Spanish Immersion students?

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.

Can my child participate in extra-curricular activities?

Yes! In fact, many of our students are active members of chorus , NHS, and various sports. Students in the Immersion Program have served as class officers and have lead roles in plays produced by Lancer Theater Company.

What is Jump Start?

Jump Start 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.

Cultural Experiences Outside The Classroom

Spanish Immersion Opportunities

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.

  • Cultural Events

    We travel within the community to experience different cultural events such as the Hispanic Heritage Flamenco Ballet, the Latin Ballet of Virginia, and the Qué Pasa Festival.

  • Immersion Trip

    We also take an Immersion trip to La Herradura, Spain every other summer for a 3-week study abroad experience. Currently we are researching other travel opportunities to Ecuador and Costa Rica as well!

  • Community Service

    You can engage in community service such as volunteering at your local elementary school to help translate for Spanish-speaking families at Kindergarten Registration; helping children enrolled in ESL programs in local elementary schools during the summer; and translating for local Hispanic families as they shop for the holiday season at the Christmas with a Cop event. These events truly add to the experience of the program because our students gain confidence in using their Spanish in the real world while also feeling like they are helping their community.

  • Peer Tutoring

    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.

Lancer Padres Booster Club

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.

Keep In Touch

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Hours

School Day: 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Contact Us

Address: 12601 Bailey Bridge Road
Midlothian, VA 23112
Office: (804) 739-6275
Clinic: (804) 739-6282
Fax: (804) 739-6340
Email: MCHS_Mail@ccpsnet.net

Stats

School Mascot: Lancers
School Colors: Navy Blue & Orange
Established: 1924

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Chesterfield County Public Schools | 804-748-1405

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