In an email to the school community this week, PUSD Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hawn said that the district was planning to introduce Latin to the fifth grade curriculum starting in 2026-2027, pending Board approval on Nov. 12. The district also plans to start offering French, Spanish, and Mandarin in sixth grade as an elective.
After deep reflection and extensive research, we are excited to announce that we will be introducing Latin as our 5th grade world language. Latin is uniquely positioned to support core literacy development, offering unparalleled benefits in vocabulary growth, word study, reading comprehension, and logical thinking. The structure and clarity of Latin not only help students grasp the mechanics of language but also directly reinforce the foundational reading and writing skills embedded in grade level standards, including our adopted ELA curricula, Fishtank Learning and Spellography. This addition highlights our continued commitment to giving students the tools to become strong, confident communicators while also cultivating curiosity about language, history, and the world around them.
We’re equally excited to share that, beginning in the 2026–27 school year, Piedmont Middle School will expand its world language offerings to include introductory French, Spanish, and Mandarin starting in 6th grade as part of our elective program. This thoughtful sequencing ensures that all students build a strong foundation in language learning before exploring a wider range of global languages.
Piedmont Pulse, Nov. 3