Hillcrest Foreign Language Academy
Hillcrest Foreign Language Academy was created to provide Orange County Public School students the opportunity to receive daily foreign language instruction through one of our two language academies, French and Spanish, while providing a rigorous and challenging curriculum. We believe that all students can learn a new language and that a global mindset is a necessary asset in today’s society. The study of world languages is an interdisciplinary pursuit that intrinsically helps students view issues from a global perspective. Students gain an increased knowledge of their relationship to the world by developing an appreciation for other viewpoints and a deeper understanding of their own culture and the world at large. Hillcrest serves students in grades K-5, with a current enrollment of 450 students. More than 15% of our student population qualifies for and receives gifted services from our fully endorsed gifted teacher. Students who desire to attend Hillcrest Foreign Language Academy must apply online through School Choice Services in order to be entered into the lottery.
Click HERE to view our Hillcrest Foreign Language Academy Flyer.
In addition to meeting the needs of future students, language learning has been shown to greatly enhance student performance across the curriculum. Language learning has been shown to improve a student’s cognitive function, including, but not limited to:
- Enhanced Problem Solving Skills
- Improved Verbal and Spatial Abilities Improved Memory Function (long & short-term)
- Enhanced Creative Thinking Capacity
- Better Memory
- More Flexible and Creative Thinking
- Improved Attitude Toward the Target Language and Culture
These cognitive benefits of language learning have been shown to enhance student performance producing:
- Higher standardized test scores
- Higher reading achievement
- Expanded student vocabulary in native language (English)
- Higher academic performance at the college level
For information on the Magnet Application process please visit the OCPS School Choice Magnet Program website: https://www.ocps.net/departments/school_choice/magnet_programs