News Summary
The Rock Hill High School Class of 2025 recently celebrated the graduation of 32 students from its Language Immersion program, which focuses on bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural education. Established in 2019 at Cherry Park Elementary, the program has successfully integrated language learning in both Spanish and French, preparing students for advanced language courses and future academic opportunities. Graduates plan to pursue diverse fields, emphasizing the program’s impact on their educational journeys and future careers.
Rock Hill, South Carolina – The Rock Hill High School Class of 2025 recently marked a significant milestone by celebrating the graduation of 32 students from the district’s Language Immersion program. This program, which emphasizes bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural learning, has flourished at Cherry Park Elementary School of Language Immersion since its establishment in 2019.
Cherry Park Elementary consolidated earlier immersion efforts from Richmond Drive, Rosewood, and Ebinport elementary schools, creating a specialized curriculum tailored for language acquisition in both Spanish and French. Students enrolled in the immersion program spend half their school day learning in their chosen language and the other half in English, ensuring a well-rounded academic experience that integrates language learning into core subjects.
In the most recent school year, the program boasted approximately 810 enrolled students, with about two-thirds participating in Spanish immersion and one-third in French immersion. As they progress through their education, Language Immersion students are prepared to take advanced world language courses in middle and high school and have access to dual-credit opportunities with Winthrop University.
Graduate Profiles
Among the graduates, Lydia Chisolm plans to major in business finance and Spanish, showcasing her 13 years of Spanish study and readiness to contribute to her peers. Joseph Pilcher has ambitions to double major in political science and Spanish, crediting the program for shaping his political views and aspirations focused on international relations. Another graduate, Sonya Martinez, is a trilingual individual fluent in English, Spanish, and French, pursuing international business studies at UNC Charlotte and expressing aspirations to study abroad in a francophone country.
Program Impact and Future
The Language Immersion program follows the successful Utah dual language immersion model and has catalyzed similar initiatives in schools across South Carolina. This program sets itself apart by serving a diverse population of both native English speakers and students from Spanish and French-speaking backgrounds, fostering equality in learning environments and enriching cultural understanding among students.
Principal Pat Maness, who concluded a distinguished 34-year tenure, emphasized the program’s potential to produce global leaders who will significantly impact diverse cultures. The school district remains committed to cultivating meaningful relationships through language understanding, a fundamental element contributing to student success and respect for diverse cultures.
Looking Ahead
As the program continues to evolve, incoming kindergarten students will soon have the opportunity to choose between Spanish and French as their language pathway. With a growing emphasis on immersive learning and cross-cultural competencies, the district is dedicated to enhancing the educational experience of future students.
With the first graduates of the Language Immersion program now embarking on their higher education journeys, the lasting impact of this initiative on their futures and the broader community is poised to resonate for years to come.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Rock Hill Language Immersion
- Herald Online: Rock Hill Schools Language Programs
- WCNC: Rock Hill Schools Offers Dual Language Program
- Mid Florida Newspapers: Sand Hill Elementary Dual Language Immersion
- Iredell Free News: Developing Roadmap for Dual Immersion Program
- Google Search: Language Immersion Education
- Wikipedia: Dual Language Immersion
- Google Scholar: Language Immersion Benefits
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Language Immersion
- Google News: Language Immersion Programs
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
The ROCK HILL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERockHill.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Rock Hill, York County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill Arts Festival, and motorsport events at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Culture & Heritage Museums, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and technology that power the local economy such as 3D Systems and Comporium. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
