Program Details
Elementary Program
The International Spanish Academy program begins with kindergarten entry at Puesta del Sol Elementary. Founded in 1986, Puesta del Sol is a Bellevue School District choice elementary school. Immersion in Spanish language and culture allows students the opportunity to become proficient in both Spanish and English. Students thrive academically and socially as members of a caring and safe learning community. Students complete the same Bellevue School District curriculum as students not enrolled in the ISA program.
Elementary School Program Location:
Middle School Program
Through an integrated curriculum that encompasses subjects taught in both English and Spanish, middle school students in the ISA program continue to gain a deep appreciation for the Spanish language and its diverse cultural contexts. Middle school students must successfully complete a series of courses to receive an ISA diploma upon high school graduation.
Middle School Program Location:
Middle School Program Requirements
High School Program
The design of the International Spanish Academy program includes a content-based instructional curriculum for different subjects in which the Spanish language, and the culture and history of Spain and of other Spanish speaking countries, are present. In high school, students are offered a rigorous sequence of language and literature courses culminating in a standarized language exam prior to graduation. Students take two Advanced Placement courses and two ISA specific courses. Interested students can sign up to take their final exam at the Instituto Cervantes at the University of Washington. Students who complete the courses and meet the testing requirements are eligible to receive the ISA diploma from the Spanish Government.
High School Program Locations
ISA Diploma Requirements
Bellevue School District students in the Spanish Dual Language program who meet the following criteria are also eligible to receive an ISA diploma. Students must successfully complete the following courses:
Middle School
- 6th Grade: Dual Language Spanish Social Studies 6* and 6th Grade Spanish Language Arts
- 7th Grade: Dual Language Spanish Social Studies 7* and 7th Grade Spanish Language Arts
- 8th Grade: Science in Spanish and 8th Grade Spanish Language Arts
*Or Equivalent Courses (Honors 6th grade Social Studies in Spanish and Honors 7th grade Social Studies in Spanish).
High School
- Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture
- Honors Hispanic Studies*
- Advanced Placement Spanish Literature
- Honors 12th grade ISA
*Or Equivalent Courses (Spanish Language Arts 9)
In addition to course completion, students should successfully meet two or more of the following testing requirements:
- Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture
- Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency exam
- Advanced Placement Spanish Literature