Alterations to the French curriculum at Hellgate High School spark debate over International Baccalaureate standards
Hellgate High School, the only public high school in Missoula with offerings for both Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes, is currently navigating complexities in its language department, particularly in the French programme.
Principal Judson Miller confirmed that there was never a question about whether there would be a French program at Hellgate. However, the upcoming departure of Katie Wyskiver, the sole French teacher, has raised concerns among students, including senior Lucy Hutchins, who is juggling the requirements for competitive colleges, AP classes at Hellgate, and the IB Diploma.
"Finding time to take required classes for competitive colleges when they are only provided in AP at Hellgate is challenging," Hutchins expressed. "Adding the IB Diploma's requirements to the mix makes it even more daunting."
Currently, there is only one French 3/4 class, and the process of getting approval from the district and IB, finding a qualified teacher, and determining demand and periods for the class can be lengthy. This has led some students, such as senior Aiden Latrielle-Marsh, to consider taking a French class elsewhere due to the initial uncertainty.
The school aims to hire another French teacher to increase sectioning for French 1, 2, and 3/4. Brady Baughman, the new French teacher at Hellgate, emphasizes the need for the district to support languages and language classes.
Despite these challenges, Hellgate High School intends to have more sections and more staff for its language department in the future. Principal Judson Miller mentioned that it can be difficult to have enough staffing and sectioning for all the classes Hellgate would like to offer, due to the school having both AP and IB programs.
"There is a perceived 'trickiness' to having both AP and IB programs at Hellgate," Principal Miller said. "It can make decision-making and scheduling more complex for our students."
However, the school's commitment to both programmes remains firm. Principal Judson Miller confirmed that both AP and IB programmes will continue indefinitely at Hellgate, but they do require a forced choice for student scheduling.
The strong participation in both AP and IB programmes at Hellgate High School is a testament to the school's dedication to providing a comprehensive and challenging educational experience for its students. Despite the current challenges, the school is working diligently to address these issues and ensure the continued success of its language department.
As for the upcoming French teacher replacement, no information is available at this time.
Read also:
- Alcohol and Hormones - A Delicate Equilibrium Prone to Disruption
- Latest Principal Information Bureau Announcements on 12-09-2025
- Farewell uttered to the elderly Berlin rent activist, aged 85, by his companions.
- Energy Efficiency in Housing: Implementing Gender-Targeted Strategies for a Sustainable Future (Part 2)
