For the first time, Grosse Pointe Academy middle school students participated in the National French Contest (also known as Le Grand Concours) as part of the French curriculum. This 60-minute national examination is developed and managed by the American Association of Teachers of French. Its purpose is to help stimulate further interest in the teaching and learning of French as well as to help identify and reward student achievement.

The exam is a multiple-choice test of approximately 70 items covering listening comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and reading comprehension. Students took the test that was appropriate for the French curriculum in which they are currently enrolled. Their scores were then ranked against students locally as well as nationally who are enrolled in similar curricula.

Seventh and eighth graders were recognized who scored in the top 50th and the top 20th percentiles within the Detroit metropolitan region.  Sixth graders were recognized at the national level only. The following students scored in the top 50th percentile: Emmy Boccaccio (grade 7), Lexie Fisher (grade 7), Libby Krueger (grade 8) and Evan Schwartz ( grade 8). The following  students, all of whom are seventh graders, scored in the top 20th percentile: Samantha Fitzpatrick, Anne Flick and Robert Stanley.

Five students were named National Medal Winners. The winners in the sixth grade category are Kate Wacker, Morgan Westwood and Katherine Woodward. The National Medal Winners in the seventh/eighth grade category are Somers Brush and Grace Rentschler.

"Winning a national medal is quite a feat," said French teacher Judyth Stayton, who teaches students in grades 4-8. "It was very gratifying to have so many students achieve this, especially since this was the first time the Academy has participated in this contest."