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Secondary Spanish Immersion

Our Spanish immersion program gives our students the tools to live fully into our mission of equipping minds and nurturing hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ.

By learning a second language, students have the ability to grow in empathy and understanding, furthering their ability to learn from others, and love others well for God’s glory.

We have named ourselves La Familia because our desire is that our students feel they are part of a family here at Holland Christian. We celebrate the opportunity that they have to learn a second language and want to support them as they continue to develop their language skills in order to be better equipped to engage with others in our local and global communities.

Program Overview

Who can enroll?

  • Students who have completed a K-8 Spanish Immersion Program
  • Native and heritage speakers
  • Students who have scored in advanced levels on a recognized proficiency test (STAMP, AAPPL, OPI)

What we offer:

  • A program designed to give more flexibility in student schedules
  • Content courses and electives designed for Spanish Immersion students
  • Three course options per semester (minimum two courses required for program participants)
  • AP Spanish Language and Literature and alternative Language Proficiency Testing
  • Michigan Seal of Biliteracy application submission
  • Calvin University’s Dual Enrollment Program classes

What can you expect from our graduates?

  • Students will be both bilingual and biliterate, performing on or above grade level in both languages.
  • Students will achieve a high level of proficiency (advanced mid to advanced high) by their senior year.
  • Students will demonstrate positive cross-cultural attitudes and behaviors, and cultural competency.

What makes our program stand out?

We have developed a program that gives increased opportunity and flexibility for student schedules. By rotating courses, offering content area courses, and giving three course options each semester, we are able to ensure that more students are able to take performing arts electives and AP classes, all while still fitting two Spanish courses into their schedule each semester. Program participation requires two courses per semester; however, because we know that students need more time in the target language to maintain and advance their proficiency, students have the option to take up to three courses each semester.

What courses are offered?

The following courses in the table below are taught at Holland Christian High School through the Spanish Secondary Continuing Immersion Program. Juniors and seniors are invited to apply for  Calvin University’s Dual Enrollment Program which gives them an opportunity to earn college credit at a discounted rate.

Grade LevelOffered Every Year22-23 School Year Rotating Courses23-24 School Year Rotating CoursesRotating Electives
9th GradeEnglish 1US HistoryGlobal Civilizations & Bible 1

Offered to 9th-12th grade Immersion Students and Advanced World Language Students (Course titles to change)

  • 2022-2023
    • Applied Vocabulary
    • Interpretation
  • 23-24
    • Survey of Spanish Speaking Countries
    • Community Connections
  • 24-25
    • Translation
    • Performing Arts
  • 25-26
    • Hispanic Culinary Culture
    • Hispanic Film and Arts
10th GradeAP SpanishUS HistoryGlobal Civilizations & Bible 1

Offered to 9th-12th grade Immersion Students and Advanced World Language Students (Course titles to change)

  • 2022-2023
    • Applied Vocabulary
    • Interpretation
  • 23-24
    • Survey of Spanish Speaking Countries
    • Community Connections
  • 24-25
    • Translation
    • Performing Arts
  • 25-26
    • Hispanic Culinary Culture
    • Hispanic Film and Arts
11th GradeCalvin University Dual Enrollment Global Research & Eng3 CommunicationsUS Government & Eng 3 Global Literature

Offered to 9th-12th grade Immersion Students and Advanced World Language Students (Course titles to change)

  • 2022-2023
    • Applied Vocabulary
    • Interpretation
  • 23-24
    • Survey of Spanish Speaking Countries
    • Community Connections
  • 24-25
    • Translation
    • Performing Arts
  • 25-26
    • Hispanic Culinary Culture
    • Hispanic Film and Arts
12th GradeSenior Internship & Calvin University Dual Enrollment Global Research & Eng 3 CommunicationsUS Government & Eng 3 Global Literature

Offered to 9th-12th grade Immersion Students and Advanced World Language Students (Course titles to change)

  • 2022-2023
    • Applied Vocabulary
    • Interpretation
  • 23-24
    • Survey of Spanish Speaking Countries
    • Community Connections
  • 24-25
    • Translation
    • Performing Arts
  • 25-26
    • Hispanic Culinary Culture
    • Hispanic Film and Arts

Meet Our Secondary Spanish Immersion Teachers

Social studies & Spanish teacher

Maestro Chris Jacobs

After graduating from Holland Christian High School, Chris studied social studies and Spanish and studied abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico, originally

with plans of moving there permanently to teach after graduation. Chris received his education degree from Grand Valley State University with a major in social studies and a minor in Spanish.

Aside from Spanish and history, he enjoys playing music, kayaking, traveling, and building guitars. He is excited to help students grow not only in knowledge, but in a deep, real, and authentic relationship with their Savior.

Maestra Solis and her husband and two daughters smiling at the camera.
Spanish Immersion Teacher

Maestra Noelle Solis

Noelle taught English as a second language (ESL) in Mexico for four years after graduating from Calvin College

in 2009 with a K-12 Spanish and Secondary English and Education degree. While in Mexico, she completed a Master’s in TESOL through Biola University. In 2013, she moved to Costa Rica, where she taught IB high school, including IB English literature and language arts for six years to Costa Rican students in an immersion program.

When she’s not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Javier, and their young daughters, besides reading, traveling, drinking coffee, and being outdoors.

Anna Slenk and her family in front of a Costa Rican waterfall, with her boys all wearing red Costa Rican football team jerseys.
Spanish Immersion Program Director

Maestra Anna Slenk

I often tell others that I have two homes: Costa Rica and West Michigan. While I grew up in Holland, I lived in Costa Rica...

for ten years. I met my husband there, started a family there, and I founded and directed El Puente, a bilingual Christian school. Being part of a bicultural, bilingual family has shaped me, my perspective on life, and my faith in more ways than I can articulate.

I graduated from North Park University with a B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies and Creative Writing and received my M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota with a certificate in Dual Language and Immersion Education.

I truly believe that learning a second language is an incredible opportunity to better understand and connect with others in our world in meaningful ways for God’s glory. I am excited about working to further develop Holland Christian’s Spanish Immersion program at the high school level.

Secondary Spanish Immersion FAQs

How do we get involved in our local community?

We believe that it is important for students to have authentic language experience, and we have access to an amazing Hispanic community locally. As part of our program, students are connected with individuals and professionals in our local community to give students the opportunity to learn from those in our greater community, all while using their second language. In addition, they have the opportunity to do internships as seniors that allow them to use their Spanish in professional settings.

How will being in the Spanish Immersion program affect my schedule?

Our program design allows for greater flexibility in student schedules. Some core Language Arts and Social Studies required courses are offered in Spanish each year, giving students space in their schedule for electives such as band or choir. By offering three courses per semester, students will still be able to take two courses in Spanish per semester, even if they decide to opt out of a Spanish Immersion content area course for an AP equivalent.

What travel opportunities are there?

Holland Christian has a partnership with Faces & Our Cultures, a student exchange program connecting students from Guatemala with Holland Christian students. Holland Christian students have the opportunity to host Guatemalan students during the school year as well as visit Guatemala in the summer.

What if my child does not want to continue in immersion?

If your child does not want to participate in the full immersion program, there are still opportunities for him or her. By taking the Freshman Spanish Language Arts class, they can prepare to take AP Spanish their sophomore year. In addition, they are always permitted to join in Spanish Immersion elective classes to stay in the language.

What is the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy?

Students who place intermediate high or higher on a standardized proficiency test and take a sufficient number of courses in the target language qualify for the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy. Holland Christian facilitates AAPPL and AP language testing, both of which are approved proficiency tests. We assist seniors in the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy application process.

What support for college planning do you give?

We understand that each college and university is unique. Therefore we guide students through college decisions, explaining the details regarding proficiency testing and credit transfer for AP scores and Hope College course credits.

Questions about our secondary Spanish immersion program?

For further information on our HCHS Spanish immersion program, please contact our secondary Spanish Immersion Director, Anna Slenk, at aslenk@hollandchristian.org. For further information on joining our program, please contact our HC admissions team at 616.820.2805 or through our contact form.

Contact Anna Slenk about HCHS Secondary Spanish ImmersionApply for HCHS Spanish Immersion