Unlocking the World: Sparking Curiosity and Global Readiness in Atlanta Public Schools

Written By: Dr. Margaret McKenzie, Director APS Multilingual Programs and Services

Language learning is deeply personal to me. Having lived, worked, and studied across four countries and speaking three languages, I know firsthand how world language study and international travel can transform a life. That lived experience fuels my dedication to our Atlanta Public Schools students. In direct alignment with the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) Strategic Plan and Focus Area 6: We Are Sparking Student Curiosity, the APS World Language Program builds the cultural fluency and real-world skills essential for college and career readiness.

APS’ world language journey begins in elementary school, accelerates as middle school students earn high school credit, and offers pathways in eight world languages: Arabic, American Sign Language (ASL), Mandarin Chinese, French, Latin, Japanese, Spanish, and Korean, which launched this year. Qualifying seniors can earn the Georgia Seal of Biliteracy or the International Skills Diploma Seal, recognizing students who combine advanced language study with international coursework, capstone projects, and global engagement.

Yet, the true magic happens when classroom learning becomes lived experience.

To ensure these opportunities are accessible to all students, APS proudly sponsors the APS Global Explorers Program in partnership with the educational nonprofit Xperitas. Fully funded by APS, the 10-day program provides 11th and 12th grade students who have completed at least three credits in French or Spanish the opportunity to travel to France (Paris and Poitiers) or Spain (Barcelona and Valencia). At the heart of the experience is a five-night homestay with local families, allowing students to immerse themselves in the language and culture. APS also works to eliminate financial barriers by helping students obtain their first passport, covering costs as needed.

When the program launched two years ago, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and its Get Schooled blog captured the transformative impact of the inaugural cohort. Among those celebrating the moment was Therrell High School teacher Stephanie Jones, who experienced a remarkable full-circle journey. As an APS student, a 1996 trip to Spain ignited her passion for the Spanish language. Nearly three decades later, she returned to Spain as a chaperone, helping inspire a new generation of global learners.

The students’ experiences reflected just how powerful immersive learning can be. North Atlanta High School student Katherine Mason shared that being “thrown in the deep end on conversing in another language really accelerates growth even if it puts you out of your comfort zone.”

For fellow North Atlanta student Felix Perry, growth came in the form of courage, embracing the challenge of taking physics classes taught entirely in Spanish.

Benjamin E. Mays High School student Jayson Pealer found himself captivated by Barcelona’s iconic La Sagrada Família, describing the landmark as “mesmerizing no matter how you look at it.”

In France, Therrell High School student Nakai Simmons made memories that extended beyond the classroom, learning to bake chocolate éclairs from scratch alongside Parisian chefs.

These moments may seem simple on the surface, but they represent something much larger. They are examples of students building confidence, adaptability, cultural understanding, and a willingness to step outside their comfort zones. They are gaining the skills needed to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.

Holding a passport for the first time and stepping into a new culture unlocks a profound truth: an APS education gives our students a seat at the global table.

While the APS Global Explorers Program currently serves French and Spanish learners, my ultimate dream is to establish fully funded immersion experiences for students across all eight of our world language pathways. Imagine students applying Mandarin skills in Beijing, speaking Arabic in Cairo, practicing Japanese in Tokyo, or exploring ancient Roman history in Rome. For our American Sign Language students, that could mean participating in a voice-off residential camp or summer immersion program led by deaf facilitators at Gallaudet University.

By continuing to spark curiosity and invest in deep language immersion, we empower our students not just to communicate with the world, but to understand it, contribute to it, and ultimately help shape its future.