Alterations to the French curriculum at Hellgate generate debate concerning the International Baccalaureate program
Hellgate High School Navigates Challenges with AP and IB Programs
The start of the current school year has seen a rise in concerns regarding the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program at Hellgate High School in Missoula. Principal Judson Miller confirmed that both Advanced Placement (AP) and IB programs will continue indefinitely, but they do require a forced choice for student scheduling.
The distribution between IB and AP classes can sometimes seem unfair to students, as they may need to fulfill a diploma or apply to competitive universities. This issue has led some students, such as senior Aiden Latrielle-Marsh, to consider taking a French class through a university or online due to the uncertainty about the French class at Hellgate.
Principal Miller acknowledged the difficulties of having both AP and IB programs at Hellgate, referring to it as "tricky." He explained that it can be difficult to have enough staffing and sectioning for all the classes Hellgate would like to offer, given its size and the presence of both programs.
The French department at Hellgate aims to have more sections and staff in the future. The goal is to have another French teacher at Hellgate to provide more sectioning for French 1, 2, and 3/4. However, the person currently being asked to provide additional teachers for French lessons at Hellgate High School to create more sections for French 1, 2, and 3/4 is not specified in the provided information.
As of now, there is only one French 3/4 class. Katie Wyskiver, the current French teacher at Hellgate, will not be returning for the 2025-2026 school year. Brady Baughman, the new French teacher at Hellgate, has emphasized the need for more support for languages and classes from the district.
The change in the French teaching situation at Hellgate led some students, such as senior Lucy Hutchins, to question Hellgate's IB sectioning overall. High school students often struggle to understand the complexities behind executive decisions regarding advanced classes and scheduling.
It is rare to see a high school, especially one of this size, have both AP and IB programs, according to Principal Miller. Hellgate is the only public high school in Missoula with offerings for both AP and IB classes.
Despite these challenges, Principal Miller clarified that there was never a question about the existence of the French program at Hellgate. As of now, there are approximately 58 students in French 1 and 47 in French 2 at Hellgate High School.
Some students are concerned about finding time to take classes expected by competitive colleges when they are only provided in AP at Hellgate, while also doing all the classes required for the IB Diploma. This concern underscores the need for clear communication and support for students navigating the complexities of advanced class offerings and scheduling.
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