A Year Worth Celebrating:Global Village Academy AuroraFrom a mayor's front row to a French Ministry certificate

Some school years are good. Some are great. And then there are years like this one at Global Village Academy Aurora — a year that deserves to be told properly.

Global Village Academy Aurora has always been committed to multilingual education and cultural immersion. But in the past few months, that commitment has shown up in ways that go beyond the classroom: in front of a mayor, in a French Ministry certificate, in grant awards, and in educators chosen from a nationwide pool. Here's a look at what made this year stand out.

FIVE MILESTONES

A Timeline of Achievement

Students presenting at the Aurora Municipal Center, January 12 — Aurora TV broadcast live.

JANUARY 12

Honoring Dr. King in Three Languages

At the Aurora Municipal Center, GVA students honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by presenting the "I Have a Dream" speech in Spanish, Mandarin, and French — with Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman in attendance. Student Bethany Vasquez delivered the French portion. Watching a student honor that speech in French, in Colorado, in front of a mayor, is not something you forget easily.

Consul General Adrien Frier and Honorary Consul Omar Soubra at the LabelFrancÉducation award ceremony.

FEBRUARY

LabelFrancÉducation — For the Second Time

GVA Aurora received the LabelFrancÉducation certificate from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs for the second time. Consul General Adrien Frier and Honorary Consul Omar Soubra visited the school for the occasion. This international recognition reflects the dedication of GVA's students and staff, and their ongoing commitment to excellence in bilingual education.

K–8 students performing on stage in front of the French tricolor at Francophonie Day, March 27.

MARCH 27

Francophonie Day Celebration

The school marked Francophonie Day — a global celebration of French-speaking cultures — with performances from kindergarten through 8th grade, cultural vendors, and a community-wide gathering. It was a wonderful opportunity to immerse in Francophone culture and celebrate global diversity.

SPRING 2026

Three Educators Accepted into French For All Summer Institute

Three GVA Aurora educators were accepted into the 2026 French For All Summer Institute – Dual Language and Immersion track, a fully funded program hosted at the University of Austin and sponsored by Villa Albertine. They will join immersion educators from across the country for intensive French-language workshops. That kind of professional investment says a lot about a school.

2026

$5,000 Albertine Foundation Grant

GVA Aurora was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Albertine Foundation through the French Dual Language Fund. The funding supports the continued development of their French immersion program, helping ensure that this work can grow and endure for future students.

Watching a student honor Dr. King's words in French, in Colorado, in front of a mayor — that is what multilingual education looks like when it reaches its full potential.

WHY IT MATTERS

The Bigger Picture

Multilingual education is not simply an academic exercise. It is a statement about what kind of community a school wants to build — one that values diverse perspectives, honors other cultures, and prepares students to engage with a wider world. GVA Aurora is building that community, one language at a time.

The breadth of this year's recognition speaks to that. A French Ministry certificate, a mayor-attended performance, a nationally competitive summer institute, a foundation grant — these are not coincidences. They are the result of consistent, intentional work by students, educators, and families.

At the French-American Chamber of Commerce Rocky Mountain Chapter, we are proud to have Global Village Academy in our network. This is exactly the kind of work we love to spotlight — and exactly the kind of school that reminds us why the French-American relationship in Colorado is worth nurturing.

FRENCH-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE — ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER

Written for the RMFACC Newsletter · April 2026. To learn more about Global Village Academy Aurora, visit their school directly or connect with us through the RMFACC network.