The Minneapolis School District is expanding its Arabic language program to Washburn High School this year, adding to its existing programs at seven other district schools. Minneapolis is the only district in the metro area to offer Arabic from elementary through high school levels, according to a district release.
Minneapolis district's Arabic program grows to reach Washburn High
With a grant from the Qatar Foundation, the district's existing Arabic program is moving into another high school.
By beenar
September 1, 2016 at 3:51PM
![Washburn High School student Cole Keyes gave a thumbs up after answering an exercise question in Chemistry class, Tuesday, February 24, 2015 in Minneapolis, MN. Washburn High School had the biggest jump in graduation rates of all Minneapolis public high schools. ] (ELIZABETH FLORES/STAR TRIBUNE) ELIZABETH FLORES • eflores@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/EIAHNJJUJ6NSC653OAEIGJDKKA.jpg?&w=712)
The district has help with a grant from Qatar Foundation International for more than $68,000 to make sure "students have access to a global education through a comprehensive and rigorous Arabic curriculum," the release said.
"Thanks to this partnership, our students will have even more opportunities to learn important languages useful for both college and career," said Superintendent Ed Graff in the release.
The district is one of Minnesota's most diverse, it said, adding that the first program started at Roosevelt High School more than 15 years ago.
In addition, the release said about 12,000 students in the district are enrolled in foreign language courses, including Hmong, Japanese, Latin, Ojibwe and Somali.
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