Academics
Signature Programs

World Languages Proficiency Program

Ransom Everglades has an ambitious goal: preparing global citizens for the future who are proficient in three languages. All RE students have an extended experience studying Spanish and graduate with proficiency in that language; many also develop proficiency in an additional world language: Chinese, French or Portuguese. At the middle school, all students benefit from a shared experience of studying Spanish and the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world each year. Students are placed in the Spanish curriculum according to their abilities, from the true beginner to the advanced, with the highest placement leading to the AP Spanish Language and Culture course and exam at the end of the eighth grade.
 
At the upper school, when students demonstrate their Spanish proficiency through the AP exam or required coursework and external proficiency testing, they are encouraged to broaden their language skills by starting (or continuing from the middle school) the study of Chinese, French or Portuguese, as they complete three more years of required language study. As students increase their level of accomplishment, they become eligible to earn the RE Seal of Biliteracy, which applies rigorous standards to recognize superior achievement in the study of languages. Ransom Everglades is proud of its innovative program, which it believes to be unique among independent schools. 

Dr. James Monk, World Languages Department Chair

"For the RE Seal of Biliteracy, we have taken state and local standards for Seals of Biliteracy and elevated them to create a series of awards to reflect the rigor of student performance we expect at RE in courses and standardized tests."

Seal of Biliteracy

The RE Seal of Biliteracy recognizes outstanding achievement in the study of Spanish, French, Portuguese or Chinese. The school has taken state and local standards for biliteracy and elevated them to create a series of awards that reflect the rigor of student performance that is expected at RE in courses and standardized tests. Students must demonstrate excellence in their English and world language classes throughout high school, and achieve excellent results on AP exams or approved language proficiency tests. RE recognizes three levels of achievement: silver, gold and platinum.

RE Silver Seal of Biliteracy

List of 3 items.

  • World Language Requirement

    Progress through at least Upper School Level 4 or 3 Honors with a 3.5 cumulative grade point average in the WL or AP Spanish Language & Culture at the Middle School with a final grade of B+.

  • English Requirement

    Cumulative grade point average of 3.5 in Upper School English.

  • Testing Requirement

    AP World Language exam score of 4 or higher rating of ACTFL Intermediate High on an approved assessment.

RE Gold Seal of Biliteracy

List of 3 items.

  • World Language 1 Requirement

    Progress through at least Upper School Level 5 or 4 Honors with a 3.7 cumulative grade point average in the WL.

  • English or World Lang 2 Requirement

    Cumulative grade point average of 3.7 in Upper School English OR progress through at least Upper School Level 4 or 3 Honors with a 3.7 cumulative grade point average in World Language #2.

  • Testing Requirements

    World Language 1: AP World Language exam score of 5 (language) or 4 or higher (literature) or rating of ACTFL Advanced Low on an approved assessment.

    English: AP English Language & Composition or AP English Literature & Composition exam score of 4 or higher.

    World Language 2: AP World Language exam score of 4 or higher (language or literature) or rating of ACTFL Intermediate High on an approved assessment.

RE Platinum Seal of Biliteracy

List of 4 items.

  • World Language 1 Requirement

    Progress through at least Upper School Level 5 or 4 Honors with a 3.7 cumulative grade point average in WL #1.

  • World Language 2 Requirement

    Progress through at least Upper School Level 4 or 3 Honors with a 3.7 cumulative grade point average in WL #2.

  • English Requirement

    Cumulative grade point average of 3.7 in Upper School English.

  • Testing Requirements

    World Language 1: AP World Language exam score of 5 (language) or 4 or higher (literature) or rating of ACTFL Advanced Low on an approved assessment.

    World Language 2: AP World Language exam score of 4 or higher (language or literature) or rating of ACTFL Intermediate High on an approved assessment.

    English: AP English Language & Composition or AP English Literature & Composition exam score of 4 or higher.

Middle School

2045 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Phone: 305 250 6850

Upper School

3575 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Phone: 305 460 8800
Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.