As a parent whose children have greatly enjoyed and benefited from their education in Latin at Mount Greylock Regional School (MGRS), I am deeply concerned about the planned elimination of this valuable program. Termination of the Latin program would leave only one World Language offering at MGRS, significantly limiting our students' educational opportunities. Latin, which has been taught at MGRS for decades, has been a generational part of the curriculum.  

A well-rounded education should include exposure to multiple languages. Cutting an entire World Language course will also lead to more crowded Spanish classes, as well as the loss of an AP course offering. 

Latin is not just a language: It's a tool that enhances cognitive abilities, improves verbal SAT scores, and fosters an aptitude for learning other languages in college. According to research by The Classical Association of the Middle West and South in 2020, students who study Latin score noticeably higher on SATs than their peers. The College Board's own data on foreign language studies and SAT results (2016) corroborates this; studies dating back to the 1980s have shown similar outcomes. In College, Classics majors (along with Mathematics majors) rank highest in LSAT scores, further evidencing the connection between Latin learning and high performance. 

Many students enjoy studying Latin – it provides them with an understanding of ancient civilizations that have shaped our modern world and offers them a unique perspective on history. The ancient world's diversity of peoples and cultures, as well as influence on our democratic institutions, are key for shaping civically-engaged and curious student minds. 

Latin students at Mount Greylock have run a chapter of the Junior Classical League for the last 3 decades. These students have served on the state and national executive boards, won state and national creative arts and academic competitions, and fostered friendships and connections with Latin students around the country. The chapter has placed in the top three many times over the years, further showing that these students are dedicated to Latin at Mount Greylock.

Ancient and Modern Languages have a place in high school curricula, as both offer educational benefits for our students. Our Latin students have consistently received high marks on the National Latin Exam as well, indicating the success of the program. The awarding of the iBerkshires Teacher of the Month award to Latin Teacher Steven Zelubowski should likewise come as no surprise! We need more than one choice from a properly staffed foreign language department at MGRS, which will help keep MGRS a top ranked school in Massachusetts.

We urge the administration of Mount Greylock not to cut this vital program but instead invest in diverse educational opportunities for all students. Cutting one of our key humanities courses is not the right path forward and severely limits the potential for intellectual growth amongst our student body. It should come as no surprise that the highest ranked school in Massachusetts is Boston Latin School, a place that prizes its Latin education. Losing our Latin program jeopardizes our standing as a top-25 school in the state. Please sign this petition if you believe in preserving the Latin program at MGRS.