Fuquay-Varina High School is set to make some pretty impactful changes. One of these shifts is the removal of French class for 2026 and beyond. Class sizes are going to be smaller next year, so with this, the school has to cut positions in order to maintain their student to faculty ratio. 

French has long been a popular subject at our school. It has been a class where students can learn more than just the language, in addition to art, history, and culture. The ability to speak French is a very important skill in the job market. 

“I’m sad that they are taking away the French class. I have always enjoyed teaching it, and the students enjoy working up the different levels of French,” said French teacher Stacia Koutroumpus.

Her sentiment shows that removing French class is more than a small change. Its removal is a blow to the teachers that dedicated themselves to the language and the students that have grown a passion for it. For many students, French class was not just about the language, but the deep immersion into the culture. With the program being cut, those opportunities are now being taken away.

“I can’t believe that the school is cutting the French program. It’s still a very popular language in our world, and the class was pretty fun,” said sophomore Sean Phillips. 

Phillips’ comments show the long lasting impact that French classes have on students. French has opened many doors for students at Fuquay, with high level French classes challenging students, providing scholarships, and immersing students in a new culture. 

As this decision looms, students and teachers alike are left hoping that this decision will be revisited, and that the value of this foreign language will be recognized. French is more than just a class, it’s a bridge into a new culture, a valuable skill, and an important part of Fuquay-Varina High School.