Walter Payton College Prep

Admissions

Freshmen Registration

March 24, 2008

Congratulations on your admission to Walter Payton College Prep!  All of us in the World Language Department are looking forward to welcoming you personally this fall, and in five different languages!  We are excited to have an opportunity to put the world in the world-class education you will receive here at Payton.  As you prepare to become a member of the Payton community, the following is important information you should know about World Languages:

World Language Requirement:  As Payton is a Math, Science and World Language Academy, students are required to take four (4) consecutive years of their world language and may add a second or third as electives.

World Languages/Levels Offered:  Payton offers Chinese, French, Japanese, Latin and Spanish.  All languages include 4 or 5 levels, as well as AP.  Whenever possible, we strive to honor students' language preferences.  However, placements are subject to availability, space and students' previous experience in a language.

World Language Placement:  Students wishing to study a world language at Payton in which he/she has had exposure or experience, either in a home or educational environment, must take a placement test in order to qualify to continue in that language.  The tests normally take 1 to 1-1/2 hrs.  Dates and times for placement testing in will be:

Saturday, May 10 at 9:00  Math and/or World Language
Saturday, May 17 at 9:00  Math and/or World Language
Thursday, May 15 at 3:30  World Language Only  

*Please note that you may choose to take the Math and World Language placement tests on different days.

Students who do not take a placement test waive their opportunity to continue in that language at Payton.  If a student cannot appear for any of the above dates, he/she should notify World Language Chairs, Abby Imrem via e-mail at imrema@wpcp.org or Alicia González via telephone at 773-534-0034, Ext. 24994, to make alternate arrangements.

Global Connections:  Interaction with native speakers in target language countries is a central component to our curriculum.  Students engage in video-conferencing with students from all over the globe, and our exchange and travel programs are unequaled in the city.  In Payton's relatively short history, World Language teachers have led student trips to Chile, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, France, Italy, Japan, Morocco and Spain.  This year, World Language student exchanges and trips include: China, France, Italy, Japan and Mexico.

We look forward to welcoming you to our international community, where the world is our classroom.

Sincerely,

Abby Imrem and Alicia González
World Language Department Chairs