World Languages

Immersion Program Completion Cord FAQ

Click on one of the following links for a printable version of this FAQ: Chugiak | Dimond | West

What is an Immersion Program Completion Cord?

An Immersion Program Completion Cord is a red and white cord presented at a high school immersion program Completion Ceremony. In 2000, the Anchorage School District gave approval for students of Anchorage’s K-12 immersion programs to wear the red and white cords at the high school graduation exercises. Language immersion program students and National Honor Society students are the only two groups permitted to wear special graduation adornment in the Anchorage School District graduation ceremonies. This special distinction recognizes students who have completed a language immersion program, in an uninterrupted sequence, beginning in elementary school. While the cord recognizes students' completion of a long-term commitment to an ASD language immersion program, it is an outward symbol of all the gifts that come with understanding another language, culture, and people.

What happens if a student leaves an immersion program and rejoins the program at a later date?

Students may be absent from the program for one semester due to a family emergency, medical needs, or participation in an exchange program. A one-year absence is allowed for students in a yearlong exchange program. Students who are absent for more than one semester may participate in their high school program’s completion ceremony and be awarded “certificates of participation” and/or other school awards.

Do you need a certain GPA to receive the Immersion Program Completion Cord?

No. The Immersion Program Completion Cord recognizes students' long-term commitment to an ASD language immersion program. Making the commitment to continue in a program from elementary to middle and then on to high school is not always an easy one. Students often make decisions about changing schools and/or elective courses. The Immersion Program Completion Cord recognizes language immersion students for their pursuit of this long-term goal. Much like finishing a marathon, regardless of whether they cross the finish line sprinting or walking, all students are recognized for the achievement of program completion.

Can a student receive the Immersion Program Completion Cord for taking university-level language courses, or other courses about the target culture, in place of the ASD target language courses?

The ASD language immersion program teachers and administrators whole-heartedly encourage any experiences that add to students’ fluency, knowledge and appreciation of language study. However, to qualify for the ASD Immersion Program Completion Cord, students must be enrolled in the Anchorage School District World Languages Program.

Can native-speakers receive the Immersion Completion Cord if they enter an immersion program in middle or high school?

Native language speakers are welcome and encouraged to enroll in the ASD language immersion programs. However, in order to receive an Immersion Program Completion Cord, students must enter the program in an immersion elementary school class and continue, in an uninterrupted sequence, through high school. Native-speakers, who enroll at the middle or high school, may participate in their high school program’s completion ceremony and be awarded “certificates of accomplishment” and/or other school awards.

Why are students who study abroad in semester or yearlong exchange programs allowed to receive the Immersion Program Completion Cord?

Spending a significant period of time abroad as a high school student is a unique opportunity.  Because striving to become responsible citizens of the world is an everyday goal in our language immersion classrooms, we encourage students to learn first-hand about the world by studying abroad for extensive stays. Thus, students who are absent due to study abroad in formal semester-long or yearlong exchange programs will be recognized with the Immersion Program Completion Cord at graduation.