Lower Moreland world language teachers presented a study‑abroad proposal to Spain and asked the school board to consider approving the program for a future school year. The presenters said the trip would target students at Spanish level 3 and above (generally ninth grade and older), prioritize safety and structured, language‑forward academics, and would be funded by families with optional fundraising and scholarship aid.

The presenters said the program under consideration is run through EF Tours, which the team said offers a language‑immersion model with classroom instruction in the morning and themed, language‑focused cultural activities in the afternoons. The teachers said the tour package would include flights, insurance, in‑country transport and on‑site support; they also said EF offers multiple payment models and a scholarship application for partial cost deferral. The district presenters recommended limiting participation to students who are in “good behavior standing.”

Why it matters: The district’s world language teachers said the trip is intended to support retention and attainment in higher level language courses and to help students earn hours toward a planned district seal of biliteracy. About half of the high school population takes a world language course, the presenters said, and 90% of those students study Spanish.

Details and program design: Presenters said they evaluated dozens of programs, narrowed choices to a language‑immersion provider that emphasizes academics and safety, and selected hotel‑style lodging rather than homestays. They said EF Tours offers a 24/7 support liaison, an optional college credit option (three transferable credits administered through an affiliated university), and built‑in safety protocols such as structured daily schedules, nightly chaperone rotations and a strict curfew. The presenters said EF’s minimum group size is about 15 students; the team’s “ideal” group size is 24 to 30 students to secure private transportation and reduce sharing with other groups.

Cost and access: Presenters said the program cost would be paid by families; the district would not subsidize the trip. They described fundraising tools EF provides (individual fundraising pages and optional group fundraising), multiple EF payment plans (including monthly installments), and the company’s scholarship program. Presenters acknowledged the trip is expensive and said they would announce the program at least a year in advance to give families time for passports, visas and saving. The presenters also said they would require students to meet paperwork and payment checkpoints prior to travel.

Safety, supervision and academics: Presenters emphasized structured days with limited unsupervised time, a firm 9 p.m. curfew and rotating chaperone duties; they said hotel lodging was chosen in part to reduce opportunities for unsupervised wandering. For students who sign up for the optional college credit, presenters said students would complete a research project submitted through EF and the partnering university within weeks after the trip. Presenters also said districts that use EF reported the program as widely used and recommended in neighboring counties.

Next steps and board process: The district listed the study‑abroad trip on the board agenda; board members asked questions about safety, minimum and ideal group size, financial aid and academic credit. The presentation closed with the presenters asking the board to place the trip on an upcoming agenda for formal approval. The board indicated the study‑abroad request will appear on the next business meeting for a vote.