Denny International Middle School is hosting a ceremony to celebrate its start of the school year as an international school.

The celebration event will be held Monday, Sept. 14 at the school from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. It will feature steel drums, Mariachi, cultural dancing and Denny’s Dolphin Marching Band.

Concord International School will celebrate the same designation the following day, Sept. 15. Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D., is scheduled to speak at both events. 

According to the Seattle School District, the mission of the international education program is to educate and prepare all students with the cultural competence and skills necessary to thrive in a global community and economy. Concord International School, led by Principal Norma Zavala, and Denny International Middle School, led by Principal Jeff Clark, are the third international elementary school and second international middle school, respectively, within Seattle Public Schools.  

The international education program integrates global perspectives into daily learning, with an emphasis on multicultural literature, world economics, global health and arts, music, dance and drama from around the world.

Students will also learn about a variety of cultures and countries using an international social studies curriculum that explores current challenges and issues facing the world community.  

The district is currently building a Denny and Chief Sealth High co-joined campus. The new Denny International Middle School is scheduled to open in winder of 2011. A modernized Chief Sealth is scheduled to open fall of 2010.

Denny International Middle School is located at 8402 30th Ave. S.W.