Glacier High School French program wins national award

Glacier High School’s French program was recently honored with a top distinction by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF).

The Glacier High School French language program was one of five in the nation designated with the AATF Exemplary Program with Honors distinction, according to a press release.

French teacher Stephanie Hill said this is the third time the program has received the distinction, which honors the outstanding quality of high school programs around the nation.

The school offers Advanced Placement classes and, at the middle school level, early language learning opportunities. Glacier’s French program also participates in the association’s National French Contest and offers numerous cultural activities outside the classroom. Over the years, enrollment in French classes has increased with many students maintaining high grades to be inducted into the National French Honor Society annually. Hill’s and fellow French teacher Adam Harbaugh’s dedication to the program and commitment to professional development was also recognized.

“Strong language programs make a difference in not only our local community but also our global one,” Hill said. “In our program, students learn another language but they are also taught to embrace kindness, curiosity, and a dedication to a greater good. I’m proud to work in a valley that values these attributes and am so thankful of the enormous support our community has provided to our students within the program.”

“Graduates have continued to use French and the skills they acquired in college and in their careers; the program can count a Rhodes Scholar nominee, an Air Force special agent in the Office of Special Investigations, a Marine Corp cryptologic linguist, and an International Education and Development Master’s candidate at University of Sussex among their distinguished alumni,” she added.