Minnetonka, Minn. – In recent nationwide tests of high school students studying French, German and Spanish, a total of 70 Minnetonka High School students received state and national rankings for their language proficiency. Additionally, two students received the top scores in the state.

During the second half of the 2007-08 school year, Minnetonka High School foreign language students took the National Spanish and National German Examinations as well as Le Grand Concours (The National French Contest).

Two Minnetonka students earned the top scores in the state. Junior Mark Jensen received the highest score on the Level Three German exam and ranked in the 99th percentile nationally. Senior Brian Hodge received the top score on the Level Four Spanish Test and ranked in the 98th national percentile.

Minnetonka students posted an impressive number of high scores in the state on each of the tests. Of all Minnesota students taking Le Grand Concours (French), Minnetonka students accounted for 19 percent of the national scorers and 16 percent of the state honors.

More than 350 Minnesota students took the National Spanish Level Four test and Minnetonka students made up 17 percent of the top scorers in the 95th national percentile, 34 percent of those in the 85th percentile and 25 percent of those in the 75th percentile.

Considering that Minnetonka High School’s enrollment represents only about five percent of the state’s high school students, capturing 17 percent of the top awards in French and Spanish is a tremendous accolade for the MHS World Language Department.

Thirty-three Minnetonka students took the National German Level Two, Three and Four Exams, of which 12 (36 percent) scored in the top 25 percent across the state.

“We are very happy with the results,” said Minnetonka High School Spanish teacher Sarah Strauss. “Our students typically do really well on these tests and I’m confident that they have the skills to succeed at the next level in college.”

The French, German and Spanish language tests were designed, written, financed and disseminated by members of the American Associations of Teachers of French, German and Spanish. Their purpose is to stimulate further interest in the teaching and learning of these languages and to help identify and reward achievement on the part of both students and teachers.

“This test provides a good proving ground for students to challenge themselves on information taught in the classroom,” said Beth Alto, a French teacher at Minnetonka High School. “It is also good practice for students who take college entrance exams. It helps them get more comfortable in a testing situation.”

Earlier this spring, students who placed at both the state and national levels on Le Grand Concours and the National German Examination were honored at statewide awards ceremonies.

Minnetonka Public Schools is proud to honor the following students for their achievement.

Grand Concours Test – French
The following students were state scorers on Le Grand Concours: Luke Erdahl, Bridget Friendly, Katherine Gogerty, Marissa Haeny, Emily Harrington, Megan Kelly, Christian Kraft, Kristina Krebs, Hannah Meier, Kathryn Narem, Nicholas Orlowsky, Alexandra Quinn, Lucas Rossi, Elly Ryan, Erica Schwartz and Allison Stauss.

The following students were national scorers on Le Grand Concours: Bradley Allen, Caroline Anderson, Maria Bowe, Camille Erickson, Nathan Friendly, Gabrielle Ghreichi, Caitlin Grady, Allison Granos, Katherine Hagberg, Max Henke, Abigail Hoverman, Brendan Johnson, Taylor Larson, Cambria Litsey, Ashley Niaz, Keit Osadchuk, Sean Reichard, Jenny Sismo, Anna Sundbo and Katherine Trebisovsky.

National Spanish Examination
The following students received Bronze medal placement on the National Spanish Examination: Jaime Borotz, Mitchell Fettig, Colin Hannigan, Erik Jagger, Allison Kapsner, Heather Punke, Anne Snuggerud and Kara Weber.

The following students received Silver medal placement: Tess Baril, Lauren Bartelt, Taylor Corwin, Danica Harvey, Daniel Hess, William Ladner, Anne Ruelle, Anna Schiltz, Lauren Snyder and Claire Stanecki.

The following students received Gold medal placement: Abby Colehour and Brian Hodge.

National German Examination
The following students received national placement on the National German Examination: Ashley Berset, Emily Hamberg, Mark Jensen and Samantha Paulsen.

The following students received state placement: Calvin Brookman, Griffin Dooling and Steven Grieger.