The goal of this course is that the student achieves a specific level of Spanish proficiency as outlined in Checkpoint A on the NYS Syllabus for second language.

Students will acquire skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing Spanish. 

To receive credit for this course:  

 (GMS Spanish I - accelerated) students in the accelerated language program are required to TAKE and PASS the NYS Second Language Proficiency as well as PASS THE COURSE.  This course counts as a high school course and carries the unit of second language credit necessary for graduation.  Students who do not pass the course and/or the NYS exam will show an "F" for the course on the high school transcript and will have to take the course again in order to earn the required unit of second language credit for graduation.

(GMS Spanish 8)  Students in the non-accelerated program have two years (Spanish 8 in 8th grade and Spanish 9 in 9th grade) to complete the Checkpoint A syllabus.  These students will not take the NYS exam in 8th grade.  Instead, they will take a teacher made exam in BOTH 8th and 9th grade and will, upon successful completion of each course, receive the required unit of high school second language credit toward graduation.  Students who fail Spanish 8 will take Spanish I as 9th graders to fulfill the graduation requirement.