Upper Dublin committee announces plan to sunset Latin; students, alumni flood meeting urging reversal

The education committee of the Upper Dublin Board of School Directors heard a heated public outpouring May 6 after administrators said they intend to phase out Latin as a future course selection because of sustained low enrollment.

Administrators told the committee that, while Latin will be offered through AP levels for students currently enrolled, the district does not expect to continue offering Latin as an elective option for incoming cohorts because the program is not sustainable at current participation levels. "We have decided to sunset the Latin program," the administration stated during the world-language needs-assessment presentation, citing historical attrition and a small feeder pipeline.

The announcement drew a large, organised response during the public-comment period. Alumni, students and parents described Latin as academically and socially transformative. Mary Jane ***** (public commenter) told the committee, "Latin is an invaluable academic discipline ... the study of Latin gives you the edge in many ways," and urged the district to keep the program. Multiple students said the course strengthened vocabulary, reading and writing and provided a supportive community; one student pleaded, "Removing the Latin program would be a terrible, terrible mistake. Please keep the program alive for the students who are here now and for the many students who will come after us." Several speakers cited Latin-related extracurriculars — club competitions, publication opportunities and trips — as essential parts of the program's value.

Administrators explained their position in programmatic terms. They said sustaining a multi-year sequence is difficult when participation falls at early entry points; the presentation noted that only about 15 current seventh graders were enrolled in Latin and that historical attrition often leaves very small upper-level cohorts. The administration said students already enrolled in Latin through grades 7–11 will be able to continue through AP-level work, but new seventh-grade selection into Latin will be curtailed next year while the district evaluates options.

Board members acknowledged the community's passion and asked staff to verify enrollment figures and consider whether scheduling or feeder-program fixes could preserve the offering. "I want to reassure folks that we heard you — we do value the Latin program and the experiences students have found in it," one committee member said, while adding that the board must weigh program value against course-request data and staffing realities.

No final vote on the Latin program occurred at the committee meeting. Administrators and several board members said they will review the enrollment reports for accuracy and consider alternatives — including curricular continuity between middle and high school and scheduling fixes — before any final action. The education committee will present related materials at upcoming briefings and the legislative meeting as appropriate.