In order to earn a high school diploma in New York State, all students must earn at least one high school credit in a language other than English. Gates Chili students have the opportunity to earn this credit in middle school.

During the second half of the sixth-grade academic year, students request the two languages they are most interested in studying. The district does everything possible to ensure that each student is granted one of their preferred languages. World Language studies then begin with level 1A in seventh grade and continue with level 1B in eighth grade. 

At the end of eighth grade, each student will take a proficiency exam recognized by New York State.  Students who earn at least 65% on the proficiency exam and have completed two years of language study with an overall average of 65% or higher, will be granted one high school credit for World Languages. Although this fulfills the minimum requirement for high school graduation in New York State, we encourage all students who earn this credit in middle school to continue their language sequence in high school, starting at level 2 in ninth grade. Continuing their studies will allow the opportunity to earn an Advanced Regents Diploma as well as college credit. See the high school program information below for details.

Students who are not successful in earning one high school credit for World Languages while in middle school will be scheduled for a level 1 World Language course at the high school. Upon successful completion of a level 1 course, they may then choose to continue to level 2 and beyond.

Middle School World Language Offerings (grades 7-8):

• French 1A & 1B
• Italian 1A & 1B
• Latin 1A & 1B
• Spanish 1A & 1B

 Multicultural Club (Extracurricular Activity)