Leading Through Language Grant

SHSD has been awarded DoDEA 2022 World Language Grant, securing a remarkable $1.5 million for a span of five years.

The grant, Leading through Language, will increase the number of K-12 students in world language courses by creating a comprehensive K-12 World Language Pipeline.

This project establishes an all-encompassing early exposure to Spanish in grades K-5, spearheaded by a dedicated teacher specialist at Chloe Clark, our most military-connected school. This program began with the kindergarten cohort during the 22-23 school year and will progressively expand each year, introducing one grade level annually until the 5th grade.

This project aims to expand access and a variety of  world language courses offered at the secondary level. In the 22-23 school year,  Steilacoom High School (SHS) has  broadened its offerings to include French, Russian, and German, in addition to the already available Spanish and ASL options.  During the 22-23 school year, the Leading through Language project has  provided students with virtual access to world language courses that were previously unavailable at the high school level. SHS is actively pursuing partnerships with local colleges,  to enable students the opportunity to earn world language dual credits by certifying teachers as college instructors within the high school.

Many of the other benefits of the grant include funding for new world language curriculum and digital licenses, world language teaching staff, and assessments costs for students to obtain the Seal of Biliteracy.