Immersion Program

Rock Hill School adopted and follows the Utah Model.  We currently offer French immersion or Spanish immersion programs at Cherry Park Elementary School of Language Immersion and at Sullivan Middle School. The elementary programs provide half-day instruction for math, science and target language literacy in the target language and half-day instruction for other subjects in English. In middle school, students in the 6th grade take social studies and an advanced world language course. In 7th and 8th grades, students take two courses, which are an advanced world language course and a culture course.  In high school, students will continue pursuing advanced level courses including dual-credit opportunities at the local university. 

Middle School

All Rock Hill Schools middle schools offer a world language program in either Spanish, French, or Chinese. Programs differ widely in instructional time. Research shows that daily instruction is most effective for students to reach targeted proficiency levels. The Rock Hill Schools World Language curriculum is performance- and proficiency-based, designed to build learners' communication skills and intercultural competencies. The Middle School World Language curriculum intentionally supports and strengthens the following:

• Literacy skills, such as speech sounds, print awareness, reading development, decoding, vocabulary, and comprehension
• Cognitive skills, such as problem solving, memory, flexibility, and sequencing
• Interdisciplinary content, such as healthy lifestyles, world geography, climate, environmental science, and the arts
• Cultural competence through knowledge of and interaction with cultural products, practices, and perspectives

High School

High School world language programs offer classes that range from beginning Level I to Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate (IB). These classes may be available in one or more of the following languages: Chinese, French, and Spanish. 

The Rock Hill School District's world language curriculum is performance and proficiency-based and is designed to develop learners' communication skills and intercultural competencies to engage in our local and global environments. These skills and competencies prepare students to interact with people in our nation and around the world as well as interpret and use information from global sources. 

What are the benefits of the Language Immersion program? 

Students will learn all state standards in language arts, math, science and social studies and they will deeply acquire a second language.  Students become bilingual, bi-literate and bi-cultural.  Students are well prepared for positively impacting others in a global environment. This program is for families who want to learn a second language.  All students from all backgrounds are welcome in this program.  It is good for every child.

Students spend 50% of each day learning math, science, and second language literacy in French and Spanish. Second language instruction is embedded in learning content. Students spend the other 50% of their day learning English language arts and social studies in English. The Utah Model of Dual Language Immersion instruction is followed in the program.

Awards/Recognition/Designations Received:
All teachers are trained in using best practices in the Utah Dual Language Immersion model of instruction. 

All French and Spanish teachers must be highly proficient in French and Spanish.

Program Location:
Cherry Park Elementary School of Language Immersion
1835 Eden Terrace

School Website

Contact for Program-Specific Questions:
Patrick Maness, Principal or
Kendyl Futrelle, Assistant Principal or

call Cherry Park Elementary at 803-985-2255