The Assyrian language program in Chicago’s School District 219, originally launched in 2023, has been expanded to include a fourth year of instruction. As a result, the Assyrian World Language program is now a full four year sequence available to high school students across the district beginning next year.
A successful community advocacy effort
It was on November 1, 2022, that the District 219 Board of Education unanimously approved the Assyrian Language and Culture course, making Niles Township High School District 219 the first public school district in the United States to offer Assyrian as an accredited World Language option. Beginning in the 2023–2024 school year, students were able to study Assyrian to fulfill World Language requirements for graduation for the first time in the country. The decision followed a multiyear advocacy effort led by members of Chicago’s large Assyrian community.
Niles Township High School District 219 serves much of the Skokie area, where a significant number of Assyrians reside. The district enrolls more than 4,600 students, and over 70 languages are spoken within the community. Approximately 60 percent of families are multilingual, with Urdu, Spanish, Assyrian, and Arabic among the most commonly spoken languages. Assyrians are estimated to make up around 30 percent of the district’s population.
The introduction of the course in the 2023–2024 school year allowed students to meet both graduation and college admission language requirements. The milestone also helped pave the way for a second Illinois district, Maine Township High School District 207, to begin offering Assyrian language courses.
Christine Yousif, District 219’s first full time Assyrian teacher, said the course fills a long standing gap for students. “Before this class, there was no resource available for them,” she said, adding that the program has also strengthened students’ confidence in speaking Assyrian. William Sargool, another Assyrian Language and Culture teacher, described the launch as a meaningful moment. “It was truly amazing to walk in on the first day of Assyrian class. Students were excited to finally have a space to learn more about their language and culture.”
California expansion
The advocacy group behind the successful push in Chicago, D219Suraye is now working to expand Assyrian language education to California. In September, the group announced the formation of a dedicated committee that is collaborating with local boards of education and state officials to introduce Assyrian language courses in high schools across Stanislaus County. The Assyrian language program in Chicago’s School District 219, originally launched in 2023, has been expanded to include a fourth year of instruction. As a result, the Assyrian World Language program is now a full four year sequence available to high school students across the district.
- The Assyria Post
