SAN ANTONIO — They just finished the fifth grade but already have high school credit. In the Seguin ISD they are taking elementary school students and already preparing them for secondary education.
It's the Seguin ISD dual language program where the student learns both Spanish and English and the district says right now 32 5th grade students have earned the credit towards high school. Veronica Vigil, the Superintendent for the Seguin ISD added, "By the Texas Education Code we are able to award students a high school credit if they have continuously for five years, been in a dual language program and also they have achieved a high status on the STAR test that meets our masters."
Two of those fifth graders who just finished the program are Dominic and Asher. Dominic told us, "I think it's really cool. Like, because I'm just, like, barely going into sixth grade and I already have, like, something for high school."
Asher says he likes the program because it made his friendships stronger. "I kind of wanted to learn the language so I could communicate with them. And, like, if we ever go to trips to Mexico, I could, like, communicate with all the people there," he said.
Dorantes-Estrada just wrapped up the 5th grade at Rodriguez Elementary. His family, who primarily speaks Spanish, is thrilled he completed the program. He added, "My little brother started speaking Spanish more and like, my older brother mostly talks to me in English, but he also understands Spanish."
Popa says he's like a teacher at home when it comes to his Spanish, and it comes in handy with his family's frequent trips to Mexico. "It was kind of just a little, it was kind of a little hard using it for the first time in Mexico. But whenever I started getting used to it it became easier," said Popa.
Both soon-to-be middle schoolers say knowing both languages is a must these days. Dorantes-Estrada told us, "It gives me like opportunities for like jobs or like or like if you want to play like professional sports." Popa added, "If you only speak English and and somebody is talking to you in Spanish, you don't know what they're saying."
Vigil says these students are years ahead of the game. Vigil told us, "This is just a great recognition for the students to, already start their high school credits and, make some room for their schedules once they get to high school."