Hickory Valley Christian School, a local nondenominational Christian school, is embarking on a new exchange student program through an organization called Faces and Our Culture. HVCS will host two foreign students from Guatemala, which will provide a learning opportunity for the students as they share their different cultures and customs.
The first two middle-school children from Guatemala will arrive in Chattanooga on Oct. 17. They will spend eight weeks in the Chattanooga area integrating into the educational and domestic life of a typical Chattanooga student. Hosting the visitors will be several families whose children attend HVCS.
As part of the program, the Guatemalan students’ visit will enhance the school’s Spanish program taught by Maria Carlone. “Our program is unique to many other programs in Chattanooga,” said Mrs. Carlone. “We use a full immersion approach in class, which means we do not use any English,” she said. “We are already looking forward to interviewing our two exchange students from Guatemala in Spanish.”
Ginny Young, principal at HVCS said, “Our student body and faculty are excited about participating in such a unique program for our school. This opportunity will allow our children to realize firsthand the importance of appreciating cultural diversity as well as practice their Spanish language skills. We welcome them with open arms and open hearts.”
HVCS is a K3 through 8th grade, small but strong, unique, nontraditional school with a student-teacher ratio of approximately 12 to one. It provides a nurturing hands-on approach where students explore the curriculum and move at individualized rates for high academic success.
Students leaving HVCS are prepared for and attend McCallie, Baylor, GPS, Notre Dame, and other fine academic programs. HVCS is located at 6605 Shallowford Road in Chattanooga and is currently accepting applications. For more information, please contact Ginny Young at 423 894-3200.