Welcome to the Highland High School World Languages Department! We are thrilled to partner with you and your students as they embark on—or continue—their journey toward linguistic fluency and cultural literacy. Learning a new language opens doors to global perspectives, enhances cognitive abilities, and equips students with vital communication skills for college and future careers.
Our dedicated department offers a rich variety of pathways tailored to support every learner, whether they are starting a brand-new language, developing heritage skills, or aiming for university-level credit:
-
American Sign Language (ASL): We offer a comprehensive four-year visual language pathway with ASL 1P, 2P, 3P, and 4P, where students learn both signing skills and Deaf culture.
-
French Program: Students can explore French language and Francophone cultures through French 1P, 2P, 3H (Honors), and AP French Language and Culture.
-
Spanish Program: We provide a full sequence designed to build strong foundations and advanced proficiency: Spanish 1P, 2P, 3P, 3H (Honors), and AP Spanish Language and Culture.
-
Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers: For students who grew up speaking Spanish at home, we offer Spanish Speakers Levels 1 and 2, leading into the rigorous AP Spanish Literature and Culture course to deepen critical reading and literary analysis.
In addition to our Advanced Placement courses, we are proud to offer exciting Dual Enrollment opportunities that allow students to get a jump start on their higher education:
-
French 3H students can earn up to 10 college credits through Cerro Coso Community College.
-
Spanish 3H students can earn 5 college credits through Bakersfield College.
These dual enrollment credits are fully transferable to any CSU or UC university!
We look forward to an inspiring and productive school year ahead. Please feel free to reach out to any member of our teaching staff if you have questions about course placement, dual enrollment, or how to support your student’s learning at home.
Welcome to the Highland family!