Petition to Reverse the Removal of the Latin Program at Brown Summit Middle School
To: Principal Jones-Goods, Superintendent Dr. Whitney Oakley, and the Guilford County Board of Education.
Objective: To formally protest the unilateral decision to discontinue the Latin program at Brown Summit Middle School and to request an immediate reinstatement of the course for the upcoming academic year.
Statement of Purpose:
We, the undersigned parents, students, and community members, are writing to express our deep opposition to the recently announced removal of the Latin program at Brown Summit Middle School.
Brown Summit is currently recognized as the #1 Middle School in North Carolina. This achievement is built upon a foundation of academic rigor and a unique curriculum that challenges students to think critically. The Latin program is a cornerstone of that identity. Removing it without prior community engagement or a transparent feedback process contradicts Guilford County Schools’ (GCS) stated strategic goal of fostering community partnerships.
Why Latin is Essential to Brown Summit’s Excellence:
- The Blueprint for Academic Mastery: Latin provides the grammatical "bones" of English. Students who study Latin consistently outperform peers in reading comprehension, writing precision, and verbal standardized testing.
- The Foundation of Professional Fields: Up to 90% of specialized vocabulary in medicine, law, and the sciences is rooted in Latin. By cutting this program, we are removing a competitive advantage for our students entering these career paths.
- Cognitive Development: The logical, algorithmic structure of Latin grammar acts as a mental gymnasium, training students in the exactitude and analytical thinking required for advanced STEM and humanities work.
- A Unique Competitive Edge: The presence of a strong Classical language program is one of the primary reasons families choose Brown Summit. Stripping this away erodes the school’s distinctive character and high standards.
Our Demand:
We urge the administration to honor the GCS commitment to community engagement by:
- Suspending the decision to cut the Latin program for the next academic year.
- Hosting a public forum or town hall to allow parents and students to provide feedback on the value of the curriculum.
- Collaborating with the community to find sustainable ways to maintain Latin as a core offering of North Carolina’s premier middle school.
By signing this petition, we affirm that Latin is a vital "gift that keeps on giving" to our students’ intellectual and professional futures.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
May 10, 2026
57 Comments
My child took Latin at Brown Summit which set him up to be able to take both AP Latin and IB Latin at Grimsley. He is now pursuing a degree in the sciences in college. His experience with Latin in middle school helped to accelerate his education.
As a former K-12 English supervisor and Director of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction for Montgomery Maryland Public Schools, I recognize the deep underpinnings that the study of Latin provides students. Please reconsider and allow this program to continue. Knowledge for knowledge sake is equally important as career-oriented study for our children, who are destined to achieve at highest levels.
My Latin studies in middle school are still a source of education and delight after more than 65 years. And all students should have this opportunity.
Latin was my child's favorite subject throughout his time at Brown Summit. What he learned in Latin significantly strengthened his foundation that has helped him succeed in High School. His sister will be at Brown Summit as a 6th grader in the fall, and not having Latin as part of the curriculum hurts the overall excellence Brown Summit is known for. Please reconsider.
Latin helped me pass my act and sat. Without it I would have been lost. I’m so thankful for my time with Latin
Latin is integral to learning. KEEP IT IN CURRICULUM!!
Please listen to the community impacted by this decision!
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
Petition to Reverse the Removal of the Latin Program at Brown Summit Middle School
To: Principal Jones-Goods, Superintendent Dr. Whitney Oakley, and the Guilford County Board of Education.
Objective: To formally protest the unilateral decision to discontinue the Latin program at Brown Summit Middle School and to request an immediate reinstatement of the course for the upcoming academic year.
Statement of Purpose:
We, the undersigned parents, students, and community members, are writing to express our deep opposition to the recently announced removal of the Latin program at Brown Summit Middle School.
Brown Summit is currently recognized as the #1 Middle School in North Carolina. This achievement is built upon a foundation of academic rigor and a unique curriculum that challenges students to think critically. The Latin program is a cornerstone of that identity. Removing it without prior community engagement or a transparent feedback process contradicts Guilford County Schools’ (GCS) stated strategic goal of fostering community partnerships.
Why Latin is Essential to Brown Summit’s Excellence:
- The Blueprint for Academic Mastery: Latin provides the grammatical "bones" of English. Students who study Latin consistently outperform peers in reading comprehension, writing precision, and verbal standardized testing.
- The Foundation of Professional Fields: Up to 90% of specialized vocabulary in medicine, law, and the sciences is rooted in Latin. By cutting this program, we are removing a competitive advantage for our students entering these career paths.
- Cognitive Development: The logical, algorithmic structure of Latin grammar acts as a mental gymnasium, training students in the exactitude and analytical thinking required for advanced STEM and humanities work.
- A Unique Competitive Edge: The presence of a strong Classical language program is one of the primary reasons families choose Brown Summit. Stripping this away erodes the school’s distinctive character and high standards.
Our Demand:
We urge the administration to honor the GCS commitment to community engagement by:
- Suspending the decision to cut the Latin program for the next academic year.
- Hosting a public forum or town hall to allow parents and students to provide feedback on the value of the curriculum.
- Collaborating with the community to find sustainable ways to maintain Latin as a core offering of North Carolina’s premier middle school.
By signing this petition, we affirm that Latin is a vital "gift that keeps on giving" to our students’ intellectual and professional futures.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
May 10, 2026
57 Comments
As a former Latin teacher at Kiser Middle, I will gladly sign this petition. I agree totally with the factual statements of the document. I discovered another benefit: Latin is a grand subject for students to "learn how they individually learn." With that knowledge my students found that they could learn anything.
My child took Latin at Brown Summit which set him up to be able to take both AP Latin and IB Latin at Grimsley. He is now pursuing a degree in the sciences in college. His experience with Latin in middle school helped to accelerate his education.
As a former K-12 English supervisor and Director of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction for Montgomery Maryland Public Schools, I recognize the deep underpinnings that the study of Latin provides students. Please reconsider and allow this program to continue. Knowledge for knowledge sake is equally important as career-oriented study for our children, who are destined to achieve at highest levels.
My Latin studies in middle school are still a source of education and delight after more than 65 years. And all students should have this opportunity.
Latin was my child's favorite subject throughout his time at Brown Summit. What he learned in Latin significantly strengthened his foundation that has helped him succeed in High School. His sister will be at Brown Summit as a 6th grader in the fall, and not having Latin as part of the curriculum hurts the overall excellence Brown Summit is known for. Please reconsider.
Latin helped me pass my act and sat. Without it I would have been lost. I’m so thankful for my time with Latin
Latin is integral to learning. KEEP IT IN CURRICULUM!!
Please listen to the community impacted by this decision!
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
As a former Latin teacher at Kiser Middle, I will gladly sign this petition. I agree totally with the factual statements of the document. I discovered another benefit: Latin is a grand subject for students to "learn how they individually learn." With that knowledge my students found that they could learn anything.