At Mission San Jose High School, our mission is to "nurture students' academic, personal, and social development." These words come directly from our school's website, describing our schools purpose in students education.However, the reality that French language classes are at risk of being cut from the curriculum directly contradicts this purpose. Removing French is a significant loss, depriving students of the opportunity to embrace the linguistic and cultural benefits that French provides.

French is an essential part of our global community. As the official language of the United Nations and European Union, and the 4th most spoken language in the world, French opens doors to opportunities in international relations and a multitude of career paths. In terms of education, France is home to some of the best educational programs in the world, including renowned institutions like Sorbonne University and Université de Paris. As a Romance language, French helps students communicate in languages including Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. This is especially critical in an interconnected world where bilingualism is a necessity. Thus, by removing the French program, Mission San Jose High School essentially limits its students’ prospects in career, education, and personal development.

Notably, the discontinuation of French directly affects students currently learning it. Students who are on track to meet the recommended world language credits at Mission San Jose (3 years) or pursue AP French now are unable to do so. Middle schoolers at William Hopkins who were planning to complete their French studies at Mission San Jose High School are forced to restart their world language requirement with a new language or take French outside of MSJ, disrupting their learning and raising concerns about receiving credits. Evidently, this is detrimental to their education.

Thus, we urge the district officials to act on the importance of keeping French education at MSJ. By doing so, they support students’ education and prepare them for future careers and possibilities. Please sign this petition to help protect French language education at MSJ.

Personal Statement: 
We, the French students at Mission San Jose, attest that French class has been a community for us. We have all grown together as we immerse ourselves in the French language and culture. Taking away the French language not only removes an opportunity to further one’s education and broaden the scope of career possibilities, but it also removes the opportunity to build a long-lasting community with other passionate students.