Webster Middle School highlights three-language program, student exchange and pathway to high-school AP

Webster Middle School staff and students told the Cedarburg School Board on Jan. 15 that Webster offers three world languages 'French, German and Spanish 'across grades six through eight and that the program is designed to prepare students to enter Level 2 at Cedarburg High School after eighth grade.

Why it matters: Webster's three-language model is less common among nearby middle schools and creates multiple pathways for students to continue language study into high school, including a potential AP experience in upper grades.

Dan Reiner, principal at Webster, introduced the presentation and described the program's current structure. Sixth graders spend one trimester in each language (about 12 weeks per language), an exploratory format that gives students exposure before they select a language. Seventh grade begins Level 1 work (meeting every other day across the year, roughly one semester'equivalent of content), and eighth grade completes approximately two-thirds of Level 1 with daily meetings throughout the year so students who complete eighth grade can enter high-school Level 2.

Students from Webster spoke briefly in support of the program. Student Rosie said, "It's really fun to try out all these languages." Student Kala introduced basic Spanish phrases during the presentation, saying, "Hola, mucho gusto" and demonstrating "'como te llamas?" as an example. Eighth-grader Aiden described classroom strategies that emphasize speaking and listening practice; he said technology helps by keeping notes and recordings in one place for practice and assessment.

The presentation traced the program's expansion over decades: Spanish was the original offering; French and German were introduced in the late 1990s and eventually expanded to all three grades. Staff also described the AFS exchange visits: Webster hosts exchange students for a few weeks in spring and schedules activities (garden and outdoor time, games and classroom presentations) so Webster students can practice languages with visitors.

Board members asked about continuity between seventh and eighth grade and about summer learning options. Webster staff said eighth-grade courses include review and that many eighth graders are self-selected to continue language study; ancillary resources such as Duolingo are commonly used by families who want extra practice.

The board thanked the students and the Webster language team for the presentation.