St. John Paul II School offers a unique Spanish program of full language immersion in grades 1–5. Classes meet three times per week with a focus on conversation and vocabulary. These fast-paced, engaging classes are "Spanish only" and students love them. They are well prepared to proceed in middle school (grades 6–8) to a high school preparation program focused on Spanish reading, writing, and grammar.
Dr. Victor Triay, middle school Spanish teacher, is also a professor at Middlesex Community College and an expert in Cuban history. His parents left Cuba after the rise of Fidel Castro, so the subject is personal to him – and has inspired him to devote his time and talents towards researching, writing and lecturing on the topic.
His publications include:
- Fleeing Castro: Operation Pedro Pan and the Cuban Children's Program (book), University Press of Florida, September 1998.
- Bay of Pigs: An Oral History of Brigade 250 (book), March 2001, University Press of Florida.
- La Partia Nos Espera (book), Random House, 2002 (Spanish translation of Bay of Pigs).
- The Cuban Revolution: Years of Promise (book), 2005, University Press of Florida.
- The Struggle Begins (The Unbroken Circle series) (book), July 2013.
- "The Lawyer's Story," short story published as part of the anthology, New to North America: Writings by Immigrants, their Children, and Grandchildren, Burning Bush Publications, January, 1998.
- "ABCs (American-born Cuban) in South Florida Suburbia," essay published as part of the anthology, ReMembering Cuba, University of Texas Press; edited by Andrea Herrera, 2001.
Additionally, he has been interviewed for and/or appeared in various magazines, newspapers, documentaries, news programs, television shows, and radio programs on Cuba-related topics, including but not limited to :
- CNN
- CNN Español (radio)
- CSpan2 (Book TV)
- National Public Radio
- Connecticut Public Radio
Mrs. Emilia Triay, who was also born in Cuba, teaches elementary Spanish immersion classes. Her interactive, creative classes are a highlight for students.