Editor’s Note: This article was also published in the Benet Herald 2024 Graduation Edition.

Starting in the fall of 2024, Benet is starting its very first AP language class, AP French. Previously, Benet has offered students the option of taking either French 4, or French 4/5, also known as Collegiate French. Collegiate French, taught by Madame Lessard, focuses primarily on reading and speaking skills. The class incorporates AP themes, allowing students to take the AP French exam if they desire, but is less rigorous than an actual AP class. Regarding her experience in the class, former Collegiate French student Abby Eagan says, “I loved having a small class size where we got to dive into different books, movies, articles, and, of course, field trips and coffee!”

Not only does Madame Lessard help nurture a love for French, but this class also incorporates two additional elements: Starbucks and a field trip to Chicago. At least once a month, Madame Lessard orders Starbucks for the students to enjoy during class, and at the end of the year the class takes a trip to the Art Institute to study French impressionists. Current Collegiate French student Lily Joy Santos says, “The French field trip has been my favorite part of the year.” Collegiate French has always been a wonderful option for students, and with Benet’s expanding curriculum in Classical and World Languages, there is now an option for students to take AP French. Undoubtedly, the experiences and wisdom that Madame Lessard brings to her French classes every day will also be brought into the AP French curriculum.