World Languages

Students at Decatur High School must take and pass two years of the same world language to graduate from high school. We offer courses in Spanish, French, German, and Latin, with IB coursework in all but Latin. World language classes are not always tied to a specific grade level; instead, students are placed in a language course in 9th grade based on their previous language experience and performance.

Freshmen can enroll in any language pathway. Enrollment is based on any previous knowledge of the language; students who have not previously studied a language are generally placed in the first level of the course. Students who would like to begin a language pathway at a higher level need permission from their counselor and instructor. Even if beginning a language pathway at a higher level, students still must study two years of the same language.

Spanish placement for freshmen from Renfroe

Students at Renfroe Middle School study Spanish, and placement in the high school Spanish class is based on each student's performane on several assessments. Students coming from Renfroe will be placed into DHS Spanish classes as follows:

  • Spanish 2
    • 3 or higher in Investigadores or 3 or lower in Pensadores
  • Spanish 3
    • 4 or higher in Pensadores or 3 or lower in Communicadores
  • Spanish 4
    • 4 or higher in Communicadores or 3 or lower in Reflexivos
  • Spanish 5
    • 4 or higher in Reflexivos

Progressing to the next level of a language

Students progress to the next level of a language by earning a grade of 3 or higher in their current language course. Students are automatically rolled into the next language level in the spring. Juniors and seniors who have completed the world language graduation requirement can take unenroll from a world language to enroll in a different elective.

Advanced language coursework

Students begin advanced coursework in the 11th grade. Each of these courses is a two-year commitment.

IB French SL

Placement Requirements: a grade of 5 or higher in French 2

IB German SL

Placement Requirements: a grade of 5 or higher in German 2

IB Spanish SL

Placement Requirements: a grade of 4 or higher in Spanish 3 OR a grade of 3 or higher in Spanish 4 or 5

IB Spanish HL

Placement Requirements: a grade of 5 or higher in Spanish 4 OR a grade of 3 or higher in Spanish 5