Skip to main content

Brighton High School

Schools

Popular Links

World Language Home

The BHS World Language Department

Brighton High School offers a choice of French, German, or Spanish. Students who have completed grades 6, 7, and 8 in the middle school are enrolled in Level 2 or 2 Honors French, German, or Spanish, and usually continue into Levels 3, 3 Honors, Intermediate, and Advanced Placement courses as they progress through high school. Advanced Placement courses are college courses taught to high school students who may gain either college credit or advanced college standing, or both, while enrolled in high school. Some colleges and universities grant sophomore standing to successful Advanced Placement students.

The French, German, and Spanish courses are excellent preparation for students who like to understand, speak, read, and write these languages and who are preparing themselves for careers in mathematics, music, science, business, travel, teaching, and scientific careers.

Students are immersed in the target language and culture via authentic Internet resources, music, foreign films, foreign magazines and newspapers, and supplementary readers at all levels.   Field trips and active language clubs reinforce and extend the cultural aspects of language study. Teachers and native language assistants help students of French, German, and Spanish with reading, writing skills, oral reports, dramatic presentations, and cultural projects.

Students are prepared for the Local Comprehensive Examinations (which follow the Level 3 year of study and receive Regents credit), College Entrance Board Achievement and Proficiency Tests, Advanced Placement Examinations, national language contests, Student Exchange programs, and for general success in using language skills in the world of work and travel. Student Exchange Programs are available in two modern languages at this time: Spanish and German.  Students of these languages can participate in school-to-school programs by hosting a foreign student or visiting the partner school. Students of French can participate in a trip to France.

Upper-level language students can enroll in MCC College Now; a dual enrollment program that offers Level 101 (Intermediate=Level 4/4H) and 102 (Advanced=Senior and AP) courses in French, German, and Spanish. The MCC curriculum is reviewed during the school year in the student’s BHS class.  Successful completion of the BHS course, along with MCC’s tuition, midterm and final exam are required to receive 3 SUNY credits.

World Language Teaching Staff for 2025- 2026:

Nicole Baker, Spanish

Jessica Beh, French, Department coordinator

Isabelle Cirulli, Spanish  

Suzanne Crowley, Spanish

Heike Geiger, German

Jessi Hafer, French

Rita Harris Proctor, Spanish    

Laura Hernandez, Spanish

Rachel Rivera, French & Spanish 

Questions about the World Language department staff or program? Contact the Coordinator,

Jessica Beh: 

Email: Jessica_beh@bcsd.org

Phone: 585-242-5000 

Helpful Links