In a recent school board meeting, students and parents from Highland Middle School voiced their concerns over the abrupt discontinuation of the in-person Spanish program, which has been replaced by an online curriculum deemed inadequate by many. The changes come after a drop in school enrollment led to the program's cut, leaving students who had dedicated years to learning Spanish feeling frustrated and disengaged.

Caroline Kreiner, a student at Highland, expressed her disappointment with the new online format, which she described as a regression to basic material that many students had already mastered. Kreiner highlighted that the previous in-person classes were engaging and included various projects that fostered a love for the language. Now, with only six students enrolled in the online class, she noted a significant decline in interest and enthusiasm for Spanish.

Parents echoed these sentiments, with Laura Moyer emphasizing that the elimination of the Spanish immersion program affects not just individual students but families across the district. Moyer pointed out that many families chose Highland specifically for its Spanish immersion offerings, which were marketed as a continuation from elementary school. She criticized the district for failing to codify this program, which she believes undermines the educational experience and future opportunities for students.

Moyer also stressed the importance of maintaining a commitment to world languages, arguing that bilingualism is increasingly vital in today’s job market. She urged the board to consider reinstating an engaging in-person Spanish curriculum that respects students' prior knowledge and fosters their enthusiasm for language learning.

The meeting underscored a growing concern among parents and students about the future of language education in the district, with calls for the board to explore solutions that would restore robust language programs and support multilingual learners.